The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-06-15
HIS FIRST
The Maiden Eiort OF One Of Americas
Greatest j urists.

Greatest d wrists.
Some eight or ten young men IL
county, Miss, had, for mutual improve
ment, as well as amusement, organized n
debating society. All were men of more
han ordinary education, and more than
one had graduated with honors at the first
institutions i'm the country.
The meetings were held in the only pub
lie building found in the country neigh
borhood at that day-a log school house.
At first only members were expected TO
be present, but it had been decided that
at certain Intervals there should be in
vited guests. The first OF these meetings
is the one on which we are introduced to
the society Somewhat isolated from the
world beyond certain geographical
limits, as the old-time country neighbor-
hoods were, the interest OF all
concentrated on any entertainment
or fcstivity among themselves. The de-
bate therefore occupied q large share i'm
the thoughts of the people. All the young
ladies were invited. and zach young de
batter felt like a knight ready to battle for
The cause he espoused. There were two
speakers on Zach side, hut when the APP
pointed evening arrived, and after the re-
ception committee had reached the school
house, a note was received saying that
Archie Maxwell, Of their best men,
Ilttu Detu tihcu SuuutIlty III III Wouiu
be unable to attend. What was to be
done? 1t was too late TO withdraw the
invitations and impossible for anyone to
prepare an address. George Harrison
would probably decline to speak when he
found he was to contend single handed
against two such men as Thornton and
Dickinson-particularly as the latter
had just brought home his A. NJ. from the
University of Virginia. Finally il was de-
cided to s'trust to luck" that is, that the
first member who arrived hould be noti-
fled that he should take Maxwells place,
and after hearing the other speeches
should say what he could on his side.
n young man was seen approaching on
horseback. He had but lately come to
- county from a distant state, and had
no introduction beyond his pleasing man
ners and gentlemanly appearance. These
alone induced Judge 5. to employ him as
n teacher To his two boys. He had been "A
member of the society but n short
time and had never been called oil
To speak. When informed of what had
occurred, and that he was the ''lucky
man." he made no objection to appearing
before the public for the first time under
such trying circumstances, but simply ac-
cepted the situation and entered into con-
versation with those about him. Arrivals
followed each other i'm rapid succession
and the school house was soon filled to its
utmost capacity. Ladies' of refinement
and culture were seated on the rude
benches i'm that rough building; men of
education and intelligence were met to-
pether. IL was no mean tribunal before
which these young speakers were ar
raigned. The Gebatc was opened by
Dickinson: Harrison replied and was
followed by Henry Thornton. As the
third speaker took his seat amid the
cheers of his friends il was easy
a.. 100. .l..t all iusarasf in tLn do
bate was ended. One or two persons
showed evident signs of WEAKNESS and
Judge Caruthers drew out his watch as n
warning to the coming speaker not to
detain them long. inwardly wishing he
was as near the door as Mr.. Thornton,
who, while the young stranger was being
introduced to the audience, had quietly
slipped out to see. as he said to himself,
''if his horses were secure, for he knew
that rascal Pomp was asleep" So, the
better to keep Pomp awake, he placed
himself ON the back seat Of the carriage,
enjoying "A doIe; Some SOUND rom the
house aroused him, however, and draw
ing near Ia the window he looked in and
saw a change in the appearance of the
audience. All signs of WEAKNESS had dlsap-
ucar.d. Judge Caruthers still held the
watch in the palm of his hand. but IL
seemed merely as IL hc had forgotten to
replace il ia his pocket. He sat bent "A
little forward, as If fearful of losing n
syllable uttered by the young speaker,
and Mr.. Thornton himself never knew
how long he stood leaning on that rough
window sill. His mettlesome horses
champed their bits and paved impatiently
under the trees; but for ice they were
forgotten. Al last the young speaker
ceased and there was n breathless silence
for a momcnt-but only n moment-then
il was broken by a shout which made the
woods resound, and as Pomp declared,
"was fifteen to make dat ole school 'ouse
buss wide OPEN" The speaker was im-
mediately surrounded by n crowd of
friends, eager to offer their congratula-
tons and his opponents felt IL no humilia-
ton to have been ~vanquished by such a
foe.
Outside the door stood Mr.. Thornton,
and as the young speaker came out he
drew him aside saying: ~ lam told that
you wish 10 study law and are teaching
now To raise the necessary funds. We
have bee talking the matter over n
I am authorized by - and to say
that the lack of o nee not delay
you a moment. We will see that you are
supplied. - il, sir, l will do IL myself. '
"Who did you say that young maii was
and where is he from 2" asked the lady OF
her husband as they drove Oft.
ale is from Maine,' was the reply,
''and his name is Prentiss."
Thus for the first time the voice oil >;
=. Prentiss was heard in Mississippi, ana
never was he more eloquent than ON that
memorable night In the old log school
house. The writer has heard the facts
more than once from an eye witness. but
the incident is not mentioned IN the NE
Of Prentiss.