The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-05-14
4 LEGAL SKETCH IN THE OLD NORTH STATE.
Scenc.--A Court of Justice in NORTH
CaroliRa.

Carolina.
A heardless disciple of Themis rises,
and thus addresses the Court =" May
it please your Worships, and you gen.
tlemen of the Jury, since it has been
my fortune (good or bad, | will not say
to exercise myself in legal dIsquisitions,
it has never befalen me to be obliged 10
prosecute 90 direful, marked, and mali
clous an assault--a more wilful, violent,
dangerous battery-and finally, more
diaboical breach Of the peace, has sell
dom happened in civilized country ;
and dare say it has seldom been your
duty to pass upon one so shocking to be-
nevolent feelings, as this which took
place over at Capt. Rice's in this coun>
ty. But you will hear from the witness
es."
The witnesses being sworn, two or
three were examined and deposed-one
said that he heard the noise, and did not
see the fight-another that he saw the
row, but didn't knoW who struck first
and a third that he was very drunk, and
could Mt say much about the skrimmage.
Lavyer Chops. am sorry, gentle
men, TO have occupied your time with
the stupidity of the witnesses examined
1t arises, gentlemen, altogether from
misapprehension on my part. Had |
known, as | do now, that had a wit>
ness in attendance who was well ac>
quainted with all the circumstances OF
the case, and who was able 10 make him.
self clearly understood by the Court and
Jury, | should not so long have trespass.
ed upon yeur time and patience. Come
forward, Mr.. Harris, and be sworn.
So forward comes the witness, fat
shuiiy old man, n " leetle" corned, and
took his oath with an AIR.
Chaps. Harris, we wish you 10 tell
all about the riot that happened the 9th,
err day at Captain Rice's, and as a GOOD
deal of time has already been wasted in
circumlocutlon, we wish you to be com.
pendious, and at the same time as ex.
plicit as possible.
Harris. Adzactly (giving the laws
yer knowing wink, and at the same
time clearing his ihroat.) Captain Rice
he gin treat, and Cousin Sally billiard
|, she came over to our house and axed mt
if my wife the moul'nt gol told
Cousin Sally billiard that my wife was
, poorly, being as how she had a touch o.
the rheumatics in the hip. aud the big
swamp was in the road, and the big
swamp was up, for there had been hear
of rain lately but howsomever, as il was
, she, cousin Sally billiard, my wife she
mout 60. Well, Cousin Sally billiard
| then axed me if Nose he moutn't 90
| told cousin Sally billiard that he was
the foreman of The crap, and the crar
was smarlly in the grass, but howsom,
ever as it was she, cousin Sally billiard
Nose he m6ut GO
Chops. In the name of common
sense, MIR. Harris, what do YOU mean by
this rigmarole
' Witness. Captain Rice, he gin =
, treat, and cousin Sally billiard she came
' over to our house and axed me if m,
wife she mouint gol told cousin Sal.
ly Dillard-
, Chops, Stop, sir, if you please; VIC
don't want TO hear anything about cous.
in Sally billiard and your wiie-tell US
about the fight at Rice's.
IKtness Well. will. sir, you will
let me.
Chops. Well, sir, 60 on.
lFitness. Well. sir, Captain Rice he
gin treat, aud cousin Sally billiard she
came over to our house and axed me il
my wife she mount 90
Chops. There ii is again. Witness,
please to stop.
Witness. Well. sir, what do you
wantl
Chops, We want to know about the
fight, and you must not proceed in this
impertnent story. Do you know any
thing about the matter before the court
lIitness To be sure do
Chops. Well, 60 on and tell it, and
nothing else.
Witmss. Well, Captain Rice, he
gin treat-
Chops. This is intolerable. May il
please the court, move that this witness
be committed for contempt; he seems
to be trifling with this court.
Court. Witness, you are now before
a court of justice, and unless you behave
yourself in more becoming manner,