The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1873-11-05
mo-. 20
All improbable Story.

Tho prosenoe Of Andrew l:Johuson
in Washington recalls to mind tho
memorable impeachment trial, in
which he was defendant, toward tho
close of bis term Of Office as President
OF tho Unltod States. Tho lato Cor.
nelius Wendell, who was familiar
with the incidents Of that trial and
an actor in some of the most Import
ant of them, usod TO say that Mr..
Joilnson's acquittal was attributed,
not rs many supposed to the ability
and the eloquence of the distinguish
ed counsel employed by him, but to
the use of money. We nevcr under~
stood that Mr.. Johnson himself
furnished aay part of the sum paid,
although h the parties who advanced it
rnquostionably counted upon person.
al advantages to themselves to result
fro'c tIs appreciation and gratitude
after tho trial should bo over. Mr..
WeIdell's story was as follows:
The idea Of saving Mr.. Johnsoa
bad been almost wholly relinquishcd
by his friends, his conviction seemed
ioregone conclusion, and was amost
universally spoken of as certain, when
ono Sunday, while Mr.. Wendell was
sitting in one of the public rooms at
Browns hotel-since changed to the
Metropolitan-he was accostcd by an
acquaintance, who asked "Wendcll.
do you want to bet hundred thou.
sand dollars thai johnson will DO
convicted 7 because if you do, | will
taka the bet"
Nl'. Wendell said he at once com.
pretended what he proposition
meant, and otter a little further con.
VorsHtlon requested n little time in
N::.''a to make up his mind, and an
pointed a late hour in the same dav
foI another meeting with the party
who had made it.
81 taw around" continued Mr..
" endell, " and after seeing several
persona, found that t could raise $780,
oCO 30 when this man cano back
again J. said to him, | will bet YOU
$50, 0,U0O."
'l DON'T want to bet s6O,oOO,"
"aH tho instantaneous reply, "I
o""red to bet you 100000; if you
do Tot wish to take that, wo will lot
the matter drop. will bot that or
nothing no smaller tum.'
" 'ndoll now perceived that tho
man was nnGuestionaLly in earnest,
and that if he took the bet tho result
would TO one of twu things-Jobnson
would be acquitted, or lie would win
a hundred thousand dollars. lie re-
quested furthsr titno, which was ao-
corded, with tho understanding, Low.
ever, that at the next interview the
money was to bo put up or the nego4
tiation was to be ut an end.
Mr.. Wendell knew where and to
whom to 90 to raise money for such
purpose no man in the cnuntry knew
better; and although such a sudden
demand for 30 large snm taxod his
energies severely. lie succeeded in
getting the amount together within
'ha 'inc limited. The terms Of the bet
we're fully complied with and the
money was put up.
President johnson, as wo all know
to be historical fact, was acquitted,
but very few persons ia tho country
have hitherto understood how it was
done.
Mr. Wendell said.t that so,no Of the
money went to quarters which would
have been among the last TO be sus-
pected, whereas certain Senators
against %hom suspicion was most rife
never touched dollar of tho monoy.
hir. Wendell also said that they
mad several more votes secured to bo
given in favor Of acquittal in case
they should DO required to accom-
plish that result but if not needed
to acquit, then to be cast for convio-
tioD.
Ono Of the most curious things
about the whole transaction was tho
manuer in which the money was paid
over after the acquittal had taken
place. 1t was not handed directly
over from ohe Of tho parties 70 the
other, but was lost by one to The other
IN pfay at cards.-N. Y. Sun. d..
Many young men become lawyers
or doctors because they have an idea
and it is about tho only idea they
have, to0-tbat tho Drofessiof,a of low