University of Virginia Library

6. CHAPTER VI.

Mike Smiley now became an object of public notice.
Mr. Ralston, who was struck with his singular
ability to master whatever he undertook, encouraged
him to prosecute his studies to the utmost, freely advancing
him all the means necessary to the accomplishment
of an object so near his heart. When his
education was completed, and he was admitted to the
bar, Mr. Ralston took him into his own office, the better
to introduce him to the routine of business.

He had been but a few months in this situation,
when a singular accident occurred, which greatly assisted

in bringing him into the very foreground of his
profession. Mr. Ralston had been engaged in a very
important case, which had been contested for many
years, and which was now about to be brought to a
close. The parties were both eager for an immediate
issue, but Mr. Ralston's client had procured a long
delay, in order to bring up some witnesses, who had
been long absent at sea. All was now ready, and the
day of trial fixed. Mike, who, in hunting up authorities,
copying and comparing documents, and writing
out heads of arguments, had made himself acquainted
with all the principles involved, as well as with the
facts in the case, had entered it with all the energy
and ardour of his soul. The court was held in a
county-town, about thirty miles from the city. Mike,
or rather, Mr. Smiley, had gone thither by the stage.
Mr. Ralston, for the benefit and pleasure of the exercise,
went on horseback, on the same noble steed by
whose means our young hero was first made acquainted
with his patron, and now partner. The horse
was somewhat advanced in years, but had lost very
little of his early fire and beauty.

A few miles from the city it was necessary to cross
a bridge, over a narrow creek, or arm of the sea, in
the middle of which was an ill-constructed draw, for
the benefit of vessels occasionally passing up and
down the creek. The draw had been opened that
morning, and though apparently replaced, was not
properly secured. Mr. Ralston was the first to pass
over it, and, being in a profound study upon the
knotty points of his case, did not perceive that any

thing was out of the way. No sooner, however, was
his full weight brought upon the draw, than it gave
way at once, and plunged both the horse and his
rider into the deep water below.

With singular presence of mind, though not without
great difficulty, Mr. Ralston kept his seat in the
saddle; and his noble steed, not unused to the water,
rising to the surface, struggled bravely to reach the
shore. Here, however, was a difficulty, almost insurmountable.
Though the creek was narrow, the bank
was absolutely perpendicular, and of a soft clayey
consistency, that allowed nothing like a foothold.
After many unsuccessful attempts, Mr. Ralston bethought
himself of an expedient to effect his own escape,
if he could not save his horse. Suddenly springing
to his feet upon the saddle, he gave a powerful
leap toward the bank, and just succeeded in gaining
it, so as to secure himself by grasping the long, tough
grass on its edge. He now took a rail from the fence
near by, and proceeded to break away the sharp angle
of the bank, in the hope that it might make a path
for his horse. In this he was so far successful, that,
in half an hour from the time he commenced, he was
enabled to remount, and ride home. Fortunately he
had emerged from the creek on the side towards the
city, and was, therefore, not obliged to go round a
great distance, in order to procure a change of clothing.

The season was October; and an exposure for so
long a time, to the cold air, in wet clothing, was not
without serious consequences. Mr. Ralston was
obliged to take his bed at once, where he was confined

some weeks, with a violent fever, and in imminent
danger of his life.

In the mean time, the court had assembled, the parties
were there, with their witnesses, and every thing
waited for the arrival of Mr. Ralston. As it had been
positively arranged, at the previous session, that the
case should come on that day, and that a proposal for
any further continuance from either of the parties,
should be equivalent to a non-suit, the opposing party
endeavoured to avail himself of this unexpected delay,
pretending that it was a premeditated ruse, to procure
a respite, which could not be had in any other way.
Mr. Smiley, who fortunately had the satchel, with all
the papers, finding that the day was wearing away,
and knowing that all would be lost, if something were
not done immediately, proposed to the judge to commence
the case, as Mr. Ralston would undoubtedly
be there in a short time. It was a terrible step for
poor Mike. Not only were hundreds of thousands
pending upon the result, but Mr. Ralston's standing
and fame as a lawyer were at stake. He hoped to be
able to consume time in unimportant preliminaries,
till his partner should arrive.

His partner did not come, however, and it was not
many hours before Mike knew that the whole case
had devolved all at once upon him. His opponents
would not listen to a postponement, though the hand
of Providence had seemed to make it necessary. And
the case came on. Mike was all alone; his whole
frame was agitated; but his mind was clear and bold.
He had grasped all the points in the case; he had

measured the length and breadth of his antagonist;
and with the desperate energy of one who has every
thing to lose, or every thing to gain, in a single throw,
put forth his utmost efforts to do justice to the cause.
It was a wonderful effort. The examination of the
witnesses—the statement of his case—the detection
and exposure of the weak points and sophistries of his
opponent—the laying down of the principles of law—
the argument and appeal to the jury—all of every part
would have done credit to the most experienced lawyer
of the bar. It was not only a wonderful effort,
but a successful one, and Mike had the proud satisfaction,
at the end of the week, of announcing to Mr.
Ralston, in his sick room, the favourable verdict.

“Onward, still onward,” was Mike's motto. And
onward, still onward, he marched, rising step by step,
in influence and power, till he reached the Halls of
Congress; and if he does not, at no distant day, fill
the presidential chair, it will be rather because he is
too straight forward and honest for any party, than
because he is wanting in ability to fill the station, or
ambition to aspire to it.