How ardent I seized it with hands that were glowing, 3 How sweet from the green mossy brim to receive it, And sighs for the bucket which hangs in the well; EXERCISE 55. Anecdote of Judge Marshall.-WINCHESTER REPUBLICAN. It is not long since a gentleman was travelling in one of the counties of Virginia, and about the close of the day stopped at a public house, to obtain refreshment and spend the night. He had been there but a short time, be5 fore an old man alighted from his gig, with the apparent intention of becoming his fellow guest, at the same house. As the old man drove up, he observed that both the shafts of his gig were broken, and that they were held together by withes formed from the bark of a hickory sapling.10 Our traveller observed further, that he was plainly clad, that his kneebuckles were loosened and that something like negligence pervaded his dress. Conceiving him to be one of the honest yeomanry of our land, the courte sies of strangers passed between them, and they entered 15 the tavern. It was about the same time that an addition of three or four young gentlemen was made to their number-most, if not all of them of the legal profession. As soon as they became conveniently accommodated, the conversation was turned by one of the latter upon 20 an eloquent harangue which had that day been displayed at the bar. It was replied by the other, that he had witnessed the same day, a degree of eloquence, no doubt equal, but that it was from the pulpit. Something like a sarcastic rejoinder was made to the eloquence of the 25 pulpit; and a warm and able altercation ensued, in which the merits of the Christian religion became the subject of discussion.-From six o'clock, until eleven, the young champions wielded the sword of argument, adducing with ingenuity and ability every thing that 30 could be said pro and con. During this protracted period, the old gentleman listened with all the meekness and modesty of a child; as if he was adding new information to the stores of his own mind; or perhaps he was observing with philosophic eye the faculties of the 85 youthful mind, and how new energies are evolved by repeated action; or, perhaps, with patriotic emotion, he was reflecting upon the future destinies of his country, and on the rising generation upon whom these future destinies must devolve; or, most probably, with a sen40 timent of moral and religious feeling, he was collecting an argument which, (characteristic of himself) no art would be able to elude, and no force to resist." Our traveller remained a spectator, and took no part in what was said. 45 At last, one of the young men, remarking that it was impossible to combat with long and established preju dices, wheeled around, and with some familiarity, exclaimed, "Well, my old gentleman, what think you of these things?" If, said the traveller, a streak of vivid 50 lightning had at that moment crossed the room, their amazement could not have been greater than it was with what followed. The most eloquent and unanswerable appeal was made for nearly an hour, by the old gentleman, that he ever heard or read. So perfect was 55 his recollection, that every argument urged against the Christian religion was met in the order in which it was advanced. Hume's sophistry on the subject of miracles, was, if possible, more perfectly answered, than it had already been done by Campbell. And in the whole 60 lecture there was so much simplicity and energy, pathos and sublimity, that not another word was uttered. An attempt to describe it, said the traveller, would be an attempt to paint the sunbeams. It was now a matter of curiosity and inquiry, who the old gentleman was. The 65 traveller concluded that it was the preacher from whom the pulpit eloquence was heard-but no-it was the CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES. EXERCISE 56. The First and Last Ticket.-MANUSCRIPT OF À CRIMINAL. PART I. My first ticket was a blank. I was persuaded by a friend to buy it, who tempted me by holding up to view the glittering prize, and exciting my hopes of obtaining it. I was not disappointed at the result of my purchase, 5 although a curse involuntarily burst from my lips when I first learned it. I hardly thought of drawing a high prize; yet the possibility of being so fortunate kept my mind in a constant, burning excitement. I was a young man then, and could ill afford to lose the cost of the 10 ticket. However, I comforted myself with the reflection, that experience must be paid for. I also made a determination that I would not be so foolish again. I kept it unbroken for six months: yet all that time there was a whispering in my ear-"try again, you may be 15 more fortunate. It was the whispering of my evil genius-and I obeyed it. I bought part of a ticket and drew five hundred. I had previously to this, being in a good situation, and with every prospect of doing well in the world, engaged myself to Eliza Berton, a young lady 20 who had long possessed my affections. She was one no, I will not, I cannot speak of her as she was. Well, shortly after my good fortune-I should say misfortune-I married her. I was considerably elated with my luck, and treated my friends freely. I did 25 not however buy any tickets at that time, though strongly urged. One evening, after I had been married some months, I went out to visit a friend, intending to return in the course of an hour. On the way to my friend's house, I passed a lottery office. It was brilliantly light30 ed up, and in the windows were temptingly displayed schemes of chance, and invitations to purchase. I had not tried my luck since my marriage, and had given up buying tickets. As I passed by the window of the of fice my eye caught the following, in illuminated letters 35 and figures-"$10,000 prize will be heard from this night. Tickets $5." I hesitated a moment, then walked on- who knows but what I may get it?' I said to myself. I stopped-turned about-still hesitating-Try again,' I heard, and retracing my steps, I 40 went into the office. A number of my acquaintances were sitting there smoking.-The vender gave me a cigar, and after a while asked me if I should not like to try my luck in the lottery, which he was expecting every moment to hear from; his clerk having gone out 45 to await the opening of the mail. So saying he handed me out a package of quarters, which he prevailed on me to take, and pay twenty-five dollars; the price he sold them at. The clerk soon after came in with a list of the drawing; and I left the office that evening, one 50 thousand dollars better off than when I entered. 55 But where for? For home? No-for the tavern; all went for a treat. At midnight, I went home to my anxious, sleepless wife, in a fit of intoxication. This was her first experience. * * * * A week went by, and Eliza began to smile again. The excitement I was in that night, she admitted as an excuse for my conduct. But she tenderly advised me, nay, on her knees in the stillness of our chamber, every night she implored God to have me in his keeping,-to 60 preserve me from temptation. I was ashamed of myself; and I solemnly swore to abstain altogether from tickets. My wife was herself again. Months passed away;-a charge was entrusted to my keeping-a holy charge. I was presented with a son. He took his father's name. 65 Thank God! he will not bear his sorrows-his shame! I was happy as man need be for a year. Business prospered-I enjoyed good health, and was blessed with a happy home where all was peace. PART II. I said I was happy-I was at times; but there was a secret thirst within me for riches—and yet I was not avaricious-nor was I parsimonious. But the desire had been awakened-the hope been encouraged, that, by 5 venturing little, much might be had: and although by lottery gambling, yet a burning thought of gain-of gain by lotteries-agitated me day and night. In the day time, when about my business, the thought that by ven turing a few dollars I might draw enough to make me 10 independent of labour-to allow me to live at ease, was uppermost in my mind; and every night I received a large sum of prize money. I strove to banish such desires from my mind; but they haunted me like an evil spirit. 15 About eighteen months after taking my oath, a grand scheme was advertised to be drawn on a certain day in my own town. I felt a strong propensity to try my luck again. I was importuned by friends to buy tickets the scheme was so good-the chance of success 20 was so great; but I thought of the oath I had taken, and was firm in my denial. The day of drawing drew nigh. The vender who sold me the prize urged me to take a few tickets-I was also urged by others—even in the presence of my wife. But I resisted it. She, trusting 25 me, said not a word-she knew my oath was pledged -she knew that I remembered it,-and she had confidence in my keeping it sacred. She only gave a glance of pleasure, it may be triumph, as she heard me refuse my friend's invitation.-That night I dreamt that a par30 ticular number would be a fortunate one-that I purchas ed it, and it came up the highest prize. When I arose in the morning my firmness was a little shaken-it was the day of drawing. A friend came into my store in the forenoon and showed me a parcel of tickets; amongst 35 them I saw the number of my dream! He offered them to me I forgot myself-I mocked my God-I broke my oath; I did not stay in the house at noon any longer than to hurry through with my dinner.-My wife's presence was a burden to me; her happy smile discom 40 fited me, and her cheerful tones went to my heart like a reproach. From that day her presence was a curse to me; not that I loved her less-not that she had changed-but how could I stand before her, perjured as I was, and she the while not doubting my innocence-how 45 could I without feeling my unholiness? A thousand times that forenoon did I resolve to seek my friend and return him the ticket, and so often did I break them. science smote heavily. But the prize, thought I, will check it. Fool, to think paltry gold would reconcile 50 an offended God-would buy off punishment! The lottery was drawn that afternoon. That evening I sat Con |