w
Harry well.

The remarks of Harry, and his excited manner, awoke the waning
interest in the case, and the crowd clustered closer round the
railings.

"Your honor, and gentlemen of the Jury," began Harry, as soon as he
had become calm enough to speak: "It is now nearly two years since I
appeared in a civil capacity before a court of justice, and I had
thought that while this war lasted my services would have been solely
on the battle-fields of my country, and not in the halls where law is
dispensed. But the case which I have appeared to defend, is so unlike
those you ordinarily have before your honorable body, that I have, for
a while, thrown off the armor of the soldier, and once more appear as
the lawyer. You will pardon my apparent digression from the subject at
issue, but as I see many looks of surprise at my seemingly strange
conduct, I deem it but justice to myself that I should explain my
motive for so acting.

"It is now nearly two years ago that a soldier in a happy and
comfortable home in New Orleans bade adieu to a fond wife and two
promising children. As the tear-drop trickled down the cheek of his
lovely and blooming wife, he whispered a word of comfort and solace to
her, and bade her be cheerful, for the dark cloud which covered the
political horizon of his country would soon be dispelled by the bright
sunshine of liberty. But the tear that fell on her cheek was not of
regret; for she felt that in leaving her he obeyed the call of his
country, and was but performing a duty he owed to his native South.
The tear was brushed away, and she smiled in his face at the glowing
words of hope and comfort he spoke to her. They were full of promise,
and as each syllable fell on her ear, they awoke an echo in her heart,
until the love of the wife paled before the enthusiastic patriotism of
the Southern woman, and the dangers of the battle-field became hidden
before the vision of the honor and glory which awaited the patriot
hero. Then she bade him adieu with a smile, and they departed, full of
love and hope.--Oh! gentlemen, let me take a glance back at the home
and household war had then severed. Before our treacherous enemy had
proclaimed war against us, this soldier's home was a model of earthly
joy and felicity. It is true, there was no wealth to be found there,
but there was a bright and more glorious gift than wealth can command;
there was happiness, and this, combined with the love borne by this
soldier for