Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-04-07

knot of young insubordinates headed
by Marshall, Though short, it was
very significant, importing that on a
certain day, two or three weeks dis
tant, Mr.. Clay would address the
people at the courthouse in Lexing-
ton on the principles and measures of
the Wing party, which of late had
been the subject Of ahinaadversion
in various quarters. Such was the
import. but the words and collation.
Enthusiastically bespoke the hand of
Mr.. Clay. Wickliffe till the day of
his death could repeat the notice
word for word. 1t duly appeared in
tho Observer and Reporter, a few
hours after which Ton Marshall
entered the office. WickIife's mid.
BILE name was Carmichael. from
which his friends nicknamed him
"Mike." 'Mike,' said Tom, with the
tossing of the head which betokened
him very sure of his scent, "who
wIoto that note at the head of your
colum this morning?' "Who wrote
it?' answered Wicklife, eVasively,
"why it appears as editorial" 81
know. it, replied Tom, "But You
didn't write it. Tell me didn't Mr..
Clay write that himself?' "Well
said Mr.. Wickliffe, ''to be frank with
you. Mr.. Marshall, he did, Il knew
it, exclaimed Tom, with an oath,
land he means me !! adding with an
other oath, "and intend to answer
Nothing more was needed to pit the
whole community on tiptoe ofexpecta-
tiOn.
THE EXCITEMENT WAS GREAT,
and grew until the appointed day,
which saw the flowers of the popula-
ton of the Blue Grass region as
sembled in and around the Lexington
court>house to witness an intellectual
combat q POutrdnce between the i'm
periOus leader and his gifted but
refractory yong subaltern. The pub
lie interest was wrought up to pitch
almost painful. Mr.. Clay began his
speech, Tom Marshall was present,
stationed upright in a remote win
dow slightly back Of Mr.. Clay's
position, where he thought Mr., Clay
would not see him. But he was
mistaken, The Great C0mmoner''
was in an excellent plight, and spoke
in his happiest vein, with even more
than his usual head of magnetic
power, enchanting and fairly electrify-
ing the multitude, not excepting
Mar hall himself, who, dawn by
inviting sympathy with the speaker,
had leaned forward s:c5m his "coigne
of vantage until his tall fgnre stood
in full view. At thi; point N Clay,
having come to the subject Of the
clique of which Marshall was chief,
closed il withering sentence by turns
ing around suddenly upon Tom, and
huIring his look, voice, and gesture
in one electric missile at the spell
bound, culprit, who shot back into
the window as if stuck with can
non ball or as if discharged from the
cannon's mouth. Ills decentralization
was complete. Mr.. Clay concluded !
amid a tumut of applause. upon
which arose everywhere LOUD shouts
of Marshall" " Bat MARSHALL did not
appear. Marshall was not to be |
found. HIS followers had nothing to
do but retire leaving Mr.. Clay un-
disputed possession of the field-a
movement which they executed, we
may be sure, with ill-concea!ed dis
gust at the conduct of their recreant
champion. The next morning Tom
Marshall, according to his custom.
stallled into the office of the OJSerUel'
and Reporter.
'Well, Nike said he, Il reckon
you think Mr.. Clay made a great
speech Yesterday
Yes replied Mr.. Wickliffe, II
do don't you?
"Not as great as he could have
made said Tom, with meaning
look. cit had spoken and rowled !
him up as | could have done, and he
had come back at me as he would
have done. then you would have
heard great speech
But why did mt you speak, Mr..
Marshall?' ASKED Wicklilfe.
because cried Tom with bitter
emphasis, Il was a-coward [ have
lost "a
The OPPORT UNITY OF MY LIFE
If had spoken. [ should have been
certain to make fine speech any
hoy. and ruhefhnr GOT II hnSt Of |