Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-05-02
An Unexpected Advocae.
tFrom the Youths Companion. J

Davless County, in Kentucky, was
named after a brilliant, ecceD trIc lawyer,
who fell at the battle of Tippesanoe. His
popularity in the state was unbounded.
He was genial. ind-heerted. an able
lawyer, q powerful orator, and one Of the
best of hunters.
Such Gas his passion for hunting that,
instead of ''riding the circuit" as the
other lawyers did, he would shoul9er his
rifle and range the woods between the
places where court was held. Often he
would appear in court dressed in the
hunters costume-deer- skin leggings,
linsey hunting shirt and cOon-akin cap.
One day, while thus roaming he woods
IN part of the state where he was not
personally known, he came across q log
school-house. a trial was going on. A
poor young lasorer, while wandering
through that section, had been arrested
on charge of hof se-stealiD "a charge
at that time about equivalent to death
warrant. The room was filed with
rough-looking crowd, whose expressions
indicated thai they would willingly aid In
hanging the prisoner. The magistrate
read the warrant of arrest, aud the ros-
ecUting attorney began the production of
his evidence. It seemed to doom the
prisoner, who looked pitifulJy around,
as if to find one friendly face among that
hostile crowd. Something attracted him
to the tall, stalwart backwoodsmaD, who,
IN hunting costume, stood leaning on
his rifle at the back part OF the room.
His face seemed to beam kindly on the
poor prisoner. Evidently he was
stranger, FOR no one spoke to him. The
last witness was big, double -fsted,
loud-voiced bully. His testimony was so
minute and circumstantiai that it seemed
to leave not a chance for the prisoner.
''Have you" said his honor, addressing
the prisoner, as a matter Oh form, ''any
witnesses, or do you wish to ask any
questlons?" The poor fellow had not a
single witness, but he did ask the bully
two or three questions. But the loud
and humorous replies so confused him
that he sank back, prepared to submit TO
his fate. 81 would Ike to ask the wit
ness two or three questions" said the
backwoodsman, laying aside his r1fe and
placing himself directly IN trort OF the
bully. In a sharp, peremptory tone,
which upset the witness confidence, he
asked few questions that showed him
U u DIS b Ildi. ne pEOSeCliLluS SblOIn6J,
seeing his case melt away, fastened to
protect his principal witness. The bully
strove to cover his confusion by buster
ing threats of what he would DO to any
one who insulted him. At last the mag
istrate, who had framed an impressive
speech with which to sentence the pris-
oner, asked, with considerable asperity
of tone, 81 say. stranger, what mought
your name be?" Joseph Hamilton
Davies" answered the backwoodsman,
giving name known to every man and
woman in Kentucky. Thejudge became
obsequious, and the prosecuting attor-
ney and the big witness looked dismayed.
A few more questions, brief. ringing
argument, and the prisoner went out of
the log cabin without the suspicion of
being horse-thief. He was an honest
laborer, who, while making his way on
foot to his relatives in distant county,
had been arrested ON the false charge.
As Daviess would not accept a penny for
his services, the young man insisted on
carrying his protectors gun and accou-
trements, as they walked together to the
next town. 81 was never better paid in
my life than by the gratitude of that young
fellow" said Daviess, in narratiDg the
story