Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-02-06
Aumoruns department.
BUTLER AND HIS DOG.

The following anecdote of Ben Butler, he
says, never appeared in print; but as it illus
trates the characteristics of the man, it is toe
good to be lost. Like all lawyers, Ben had q
hard pull of it at the start and perhaps the
sharpness and acumen for which he is so uni.
versally celebrated, were acquired at this
early period of his life, while he was striving
for a practice, and the odds were brains OF
starvation. One day, while sitting in his of:
flee, there entered long-legged, gaunt, hatch
et-faced specimen of the genus Yankee, who
looked sharp enough to make his meals of
pins and needles, and who thus accosted the
future Congressman:
"Mr. Lawyer, am going into little law
business and you seem to be right smart
plucky sort of chap, thought might as
we'll give the job to you.'
call right" said the lawyer, "you can't
trust your case in better hands"
"Well, had ham hanging in an outshed,
and neighbors dog came along and ate it. y
"Make the fellow pay for damages
"That's the talk, Mr.. Lawyer" said the
Yankee, with sly smile beginning to work
around the corner of his eyes and mouth
"but you see-I don't know as it makes any
diference-the dog was yourn."
"What do you value your ham at?" asked
Butler, drawing out his wallet.
"Well, I guess S. would be letting you of
cheap" said the Yankee, "for it was an all
fired COCA ham p
Withod. ,..tering a word of protest, Butler
paid the money, and then said:
"There is your damage for your ham; now
fork over your ten dollars"
"What for ?" enquired the Yankee, in his
turn, astonished.
"For my legal advice" said Butler; "you
don't suppose can work without fee, do
you?"
Mr.. Yankee was bit; so, drawing face as
long as his legs, he slowly counted out the
money and inwardly vowed he would bring
no more law business before the youthful, but
razor-like dispenser Of Coke and Blackstone.
SEVEN YEARS ITCH.-It is close on eigh.
teen years ago, that we staid all night at the
very house where Oakly stirred up the wasp
nest. We reached there after disagreeable
days ride in the snow and sleet. We had
stopped at the Ouachita river and spent an
haitian hour very pleasant y-old Scarborough
fddled, while his wife and Hedge Triplett
run reel. The cold souse we got that day
never will be forgotten. At night, after a
hearty supper, we prepared for lodging. DR..
Billy Ray burn, now of Orleans, and ourselves
took one bed; Tom Scott and Fountain Pope
another Hedge Triplett third a stranger
who fell in with US, the fourth while the
mail rider, an awkward, gawky boy of fifteen,
prepared to turn in somewhere. His eye fell
first upon Hedges bed, and he was making
up to it, when Hedge cracked his teeth to.
gether in terrible manner. Rayburn and
ourselves took the hint We asked Hedge if
nothing would prevent it-he replied no.
Rayburn proposed bleeding him; no use
said Hedge, it wont stop them Stop what
said the mail boy. Fits, replied Hedge. 1t
would have done you good to see the mail boy
jump.
His only chance now was with the stranger
who very good naturedly invited him to par.
take of half his bed. The boy accepted and
having divested himself of his clothing, was
about turning liz, when the stranger, rising up
in his bed, observed:
"My young friend, hate to take the ad'
vantage Of you'll have got the ltch?'
"O," said the doy, as he brought nasty
rake with his finger nails, "is that al? why,
I've had it these five years."
Ifyou had seen that stranger leave that bed
you would know how lightning travels.-Pe'
ter Milestone.