Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-07-28
The Sturp Teller.
THE VOLUNTEER COUNSEL.
A TALE OF JOHN TAYLOR.

rive copy the following from the New York
Sunday Times The subject of it, John lay
lor was licensed when youth of twenty
to practice at the bar of Philadelphia. He
was Door, but we'll educated, and possessed ex
traordinary genius. The graces Of his per-
son, combined with the superiority of his in
tellect, enabled him to win the hand of
fashionable beauty. Twelve months after
wards the husband was employed by veal
thy firm of the city to 60 on mission as
land agent to the West. AS heavy salary
was offered, TAYLOR bade farewell to his wife
and infant SON. He wrote back every week
but received not line in answer. Six
months elapsed, when the husband received
letter from his employers that explained all
Shortly after his departure for the West,
the wife and her father removed to Mississip,
ri. There she Immediately obtained dl:
vorce by an act of the Legislature, married
again forthwith. and, to complete the climax
Of cruelty and wrong, had the name OF lay:
lor's son changed to Mark-that of her second
matrimonial partner. The per6dy nearly
drove Ta,lo insane. His career, from that
period, became eccentric in the last degree
sometimes he plead at the bar; until, at last
a fever carried him off at comparatively
early age.]
At an early hour, the 9th of April, lS4O,
the court house in Clarksville, Texas, was
crowded to overhowihg. Save in the war.
times past, there had never been witnessed
such gathering in Red River county, while
the strong feeling, apparent in every flushed
face throughout the assembly, betokened
some great occasion. A concise narrative OF
facts will sufficiently explain the matter.
About the close of 1889, George Hopkins
one of the wealthiest planters and most IN
fuential men of Northern Texas, offered a
gross insult to Mary Elliston, the young and
beautiful wife of his overseer. The husband
threatened to chastise him for the outrage,
whereupon Hopkins loaded his gun, went to
Elliston's house, and shot, him in his own
door. The murderer was arrested, and bailed
to answer the charge. This occurrence pro-
duced intense excitement; and Hopkins, IN
order to turn the tide of popular opinion, or
at least 10 mitigate the general wrath, which
at first was violent against him, circulated re-
ports UNANIMOUSLY prejudicial to the character
of the woman who had already suffered such
cruel wrongs at his hands. She brought her
suit for slander. And thus two causes, one
criminal, and the other civil, and both out OF
the same tragedy, were pending in April Cir
cult Court for 1910.
The interest naturally felt by the conlmu-
nity as to the issues became far deeper when
it was known that Ashley and Pike of Arkan-
sas, and the celebrated S. S. Prentlss, OF New
Orleans, each with enormous fees, had been
retained by Hopkins for his defence
The trial, on the indictment for murder,
ended on the 9Th of April with the acquittal
of Hopkins. Such a result might we'll have
been foreseen, by comparing the talents OF the
counsel engaged on either side. The Texan
LAWYERS were utterly overwhelmed by the ar
gument and eloquence of their opponents. 1t
was fight of dwarfs against giants:
The SANDER suit was set for the 9TH OF
April, and the throng of spectators grew IN
numbers as we'll as excitement, and what may
seem strange, the current of public sentiment
now ran decidedly for Hopkins. His money
had procured pointed witnesses, who served
most efficiently his powerful advocates. In.
deed, so triumphant had been the success OF
the previous day, that when the slander case
was called, Mary Elliston was left without an
attorney-they had all withdrawn. The pig,
my.pettifoggers dare not brave again the
sharp wit Of Pike, and the scathing thunder
of Prentiss.
"Have you no counsel ?" inquired Judge
Mills, looking kindly at the plaintiff.
mo, sir; they have all deserted me, and |
am too pour to employ any more" replied the
beautiful Mary, bursting into tears.
"In such a case, will not some chivalrous
member Of the profession volunteer?' asked
the Judge, glancing around the bar.
The thirty lawyers were silent as DEATH
Judge Mills repeated the question.
II will, your honor" said voice from the
thckest part of the crowd situated behind
the bar. At the tones of that voice many
started half way from their seats; and per
haps there was in the immense throng nc
heart which did not beat something quicker
it was so unearthly, sweet, clear, ringing, anc
mournful.
The first sensation, however, was changed
into general laughter, when a tall, gaunt
spectral 6gure that nobody present remem
bered ever to have seen before, elbowed hl:
way through the crowd, and placed hlmsel
within the bar. His appearance was prob
lem to puzzle the sphinx herself. His high
pale brow, and small, neryously'twltchlns
face seemed alive with the concentrated es
seuce and cream of genius; but then his IN
finite blue eyes, hardly visible beneath thei
massive arches, looked him, dreamy, almos
unconscious and his clothing was so exceed
ingly shabby that the court hestated to lie
the cause proceed under his management.
"Has your name been entered on the roll
of the State?" demanded the Judge, suspl
ciously.
ut is immaterial about my names being
on your rolls" answered the stranger, hi
thin bloodless lips curling up into sort o
fendish sneer 81 may be allowed to appea
once by the courtesy Of the court and bar
Here is nv license from the highest tribuna
in America - and he handed Judge Mills
broad parchment The trial immediatel.
went on.
In the examination of the witnesses tn
stranger evinced but little ingenuity. as wa
commonly thought. He suffered each on
to tell his own story without interruption
though he contriyed to make each one tel