Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-11-12

ArkdRSalo Trdceliep.

Judge Shickleton relates an interesting
reminiScence of the early DAYS of Arkan-
sas: ~ came here" said the Judge, ''just
after ! had been admitted to the bar in a
Northern State. Like Ihe average Young
lawyer, | was poor, and actually thirsted
for case. Shortly after arrived / went
to mountain district and stopped at a
small town where there was considerable
excitement over the trial of young man
who had been indicted for murder. The
older lawyers were 10th to engage in the
prosecution, so the young prosecuting at
tOrney was working single handed.
met him the second day after my arrival,
and when he learned that / was a lawyer
he said
81 am at present prosecuting for muir
der young fellow named Dawes. He
is as guilty as guilty can be, and should
by all means hang, yet ! fear, with so
much opposition, that will not be able
to assist justice to a proper punishment
of the terrible crime. Now, what | want
you to do is to assist me-"
81 studied the case carefully. | made
every point so clear that | could see the
jurymen shaking their heads when an il
lustratiOn was strikingly vivid. The
counsel for the defense, composed of old
lawyers whose fame had long since been
established, looked at me in astOnishment
They met me and wanted a compromise.
| knew nothing but justice, and justice
knew no compromise. Finally the case
went to the jury. Within five minutes
afterwards verdict of guilty was rem
dered. The young man was hanged.
moved to another part of the State, where
soon established a good practice.
some day, about three years afterward,
! met at Northern Watering-place a
beautiful young woman whose husband
M nj pbO
sumptive grew worse rapidly, but his
wife was still hopeful. for he would talk
Of what he intended to do when he re-
covered. One night about u O'Clock |
was summoned to the poor fellows room.
He lay gasping for breath, and his wife.
even beautiful in grief, set holding his
hands. The end soon came. and | saw her
bow her head in despair.
81 did not see Mrs. Delure, the fair
widow, for a few days after the funeral,
Then she came to bid me gOOd-by,
when the memory of your young hus-
band affords melancholy pleasure, in
stead of a deep brief, will you write to
me p l asked.
81 don't know she replied. 81 don't
feel as though | shall ever again feel dis
posed to write, but | thank you for the
deep interest you have taken in me. and
hope to some day meet you again.
Il returned to Arkansas and resumed
my practice, but business cares did not
remove the image of that beautiful face
Two years passed and | heard nothing
from Ella, as | had learned to think of
her. At last l determined to go again to
the watering-place. One evening, after
had been there few days, was strOlling
on the mountain, when | CHANGED to stroll
near Delure's grave. Hearing voices,
approached cautiously. | stood behind a
tree. The moon came out, and | saw
Mrs. Delure and man sitting near the
grave.
81 cannot marry you," she said. You
have been very kind to me, and have
greatly aided me in getting my school,
but | cannot marry you
"'Do you ever expect to marry again.?
he asked.
81 don't know. There is one man
whose memory l love. He was with me
when my husband died. If l were ever
to marry any one l would marry him.
promised to write to him, and have tried
dozen times, but each letter seemed like
a love letter.
81 could stand no more, and eXclaim-
ing, 'Ellap | rushed from my hiding place
and caught her in my arms. The man
looked on for moment and turned away.
Our arrangements were soon COM
pleted. Our wedding was quiet and
simple, and Immediately after the cere-
mOny we started for my home in Arkan-
saS.
''We began housekeeping at once, and l
know there was not happier man in
town than |. One evening while Ella and
| were sitting in the twilight, she said:
81 never saw a man so little inter-
ested in any ones history as you are. You
have been acquainted with me for long
time now, and have never asked me any
thing about my former SELF
"'YQur present self,' lreplied, belongs
to me; your former self did not. | am
never anxious about anything that does
not belong to me-
"'DO you know that [ used to live in
this State?
"'Did yOu' / asked in surprise.
eyes, she said, IN a saddened tone. Il
have been three times married. My first
husband was named Dawes, but he was a
bad man, and died by the hand of the
law
"Great heavensl had hung her hus-
band"