222 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 



years of age, and one of the leading men, in a quiet way, of 

 the patriot party. 



Since his mari'iage, and up to this time, Smith's character 

 seemed to have undergone a change, which was specially re- 

 marked by those who had watched his entrance upon public 

 life. Up to the time of his marriage he had exhibited the 

 most recklessly spendthrift disposition ; although enjoying a 

 lucrative practice, yet it was observed that he always wanted 

 money. He had no such apparent habits of extravagance as 

 could account for such expenditure, so that he had the full 

 benefit of all sorts of dark hints and vague surmises, not one 

 of which was in the neighborhood of true. 



There were a few who knew him better, who could have 

 told how the base vultures and harpies that always flock 

 around where there is a great heart to be torn and fed upon, 

 regularly fleeced him of more than half the dues for his ser- 

 vices, by some servile and whining appeal to his well known 

 magnanimity, and singular disregard of gold. He was sys- 

 tematically victimized by a whole flock of such foul birds, 

 who chuckled over the thought that they were gulling the 

 smart young lawyer ; a great mistake ! — for his intuition of 

 character and motive was as quick as lightning. 



His keen, gray eye was never at fault; and he gave them 

 what they cringed for out of contemptuous disgust for the 

 creatures and the filthy god they worshipped. He loathed 

 the one as much as the other, and was equally anxious to get 

 rid of both. His charities were just as reckless, though it 

 began soon to be found that he was rather a dangerous per- 

 son to task the patience of too far. 



From the day he married Mattie he became a cautious, 

 saving man ; and the hungry wretches that had battened upon 

 his lofty generosity, or rather, scorn, were soon scattered in 

 dismay before the stern brow and powerful arm that hurled 

 them right and left from his path. He had Mattie, beloved 



