Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-12-18
MISCELLANY.
a HUNG JURY.
BT SOL SMITH.

hto. IN st. Louis does not know Noah
Rldaeley2 Who, in St Louis, has not
knoPkf him for long tima-not long enough
TO ktAw any body elsel-but long, long
time years Even here in New Orleans,
AoaHis tolerably well known and at the
rlvzrbtowns intermediate. there are few
fellets who are on terms of speaking 40
quafaiance with him. Intact wherever the
steamer Hannibal has made lauding-
(ard @here is the landing she has not made
a step at l)-Noah has been seen aud known
at seine time or other But, IN ST Louis
we'll, Hhere's no use writing about how well
lc lssknown there. Aud wherever known,
NeahEis favorite-I might say q. great ia
vortd He has been clerk of the aforesaid
Hannibal for, | don't know how many
yearsE-an tie Hannibal continues To per.
form.yoyages between New Orleans and St
Louif, with her single but powerful engine,
tout Of the old ST Louis-Captaiu Swon's
Sc Lbuis and seems as good as new . and
Moab comes around with Wis freight bills
with astonishing regularity lie appears
better than new
Bug to my story In Ct Louis we all
know{the difficulty Of procuring jurors to
try cases before justices of the peace-it be
ing almost next to an impossibiity to get to-
geihef twelve citizens good men and true
who are willing to sit for two or three hours
il jastcos Office, which is never by sny ac-
eiaent larger than moderate sized band
bnx, surrounded by a promiscuous crowd
which always gathers, filing up room, doors,
aud windows, whenever a jury trial is to
come specially if lawyers are employed
in it,
Is 10 happened, once upon time that
two merchants had little misunderstood
ing, Which resulted in their going to law
beipra Justice Walsh The amount in dis
pate sRs mere trifa Init oanh .m7-4 y y =
laH they Welt. 70 make matters worse,
each must have,a lawyerto help him on, aud.
one d the lawyers determined to make as
much, out Of the case as they could, asserted
.he ctispstitutipnal right Of his client, and dc:
manttA d inn. A renire tdcias Yves accord
iugly Issued, and Constable Bushy started off
to execute his writ.
Atthe expiration Of about an hour, during
which, the court, attorneys, and spectators,
waited with exemplary patience, Busby re,
turned followed by one S2iitafy tastlctduat,
carrying a huge lot of freight bill in one
haad, and halfsmoked cigar in the other
il aodS n oah.
Have you summoned the jury, Mr.. Con-
stahleP inquired the justice
Yes, SIR replied Busby. throwing down
upon sbe table his writ with the names of
twelve citizens inscribed thereon, Il have
summpned them, but they won't come
Whit come won't come 3 remarked the
iusti3i. wen see about that. Clerk, write
out attachments for these gentlemen. How
many sre there WHO refuse tosobey tho order
Of theicourt Il
kEluyen. your honor answered the sweat
ing Constable; this is the only one Of the
lot. (pointing to our friend Noah)-I have
been able to scare up; and he don't seem
much disposed to rerve-suys he intends 70
/ pisad hSs Prigtlege' I'LL
What privilege pray, Mr. Ridgelegf have
you to PLEAD , What valid reason can you
give tie court why you should not serve on
this jury !" asked the justice.
| believe, replied Noah, stretching him,
/ self up to his full height, and taking the CT.
/ gar from his mouth, which he had been in.
dustrionsiy smoking since he entered the Of
/ fee. 4 believe fireman is exempt from ju'
ry dusy q
I Certainly certainly, replied the justice
But was not aware you belonged tofeither
OF theiepgine companies. May | ask, Mr.
! Riageky which engine you run wfthF 4
Witch engine The old St Louis In
You are aware, perhaps, Mr. Justice that
4 the of1 St Louis had two engines one o.
them CONSTITUTES at this time the motive pow
er of .ke Hannibal, and that is the engine
] run wish--and when hard pushed for hands
! llayd. upon occasion, acted as fireman
therefore, | suppose, I'm excused from jury
duty
Not 50 fac my friend intcrposed thu
j Justice. this will not excuse you
Notr exclaimed Noah, with apparent
surprise, 'then, he continued, taking sea
on thesjury bench, bring on your case, sine
+ | am over.raied, and let us get through will
it Is soon as we can, for I'll be hanged if
stop long
| Busby at this junctura returned from an
other 5nsuccsssfui foray through the neigh
boring. streets and alleys Cant scare up
q sines man. be reported, sitting down an
Wiling the Precipitation from his face with,
cotton lpoeket handkerchief which be carrie
in his hat .,
B eWhat is TO be done = inquired the Law
yer.
E | ara sure l don't Know, answered Jn'
tice Walsh. unless you choose 70 take Nj
r 5dreley here. and let him decide your ease
al. liz laws Of Missouri permit parties /.
mstual consent to take any number le;
tan twsiyg' in civil cases, the lawyers. fnt
IoE there Was no chance Of soaring up an
r,Sre ;arors agreed to taxi NoaA as The 5arf
ana atter few modest ohjectioa.s on h
Dart Ne was swsrn in, and Aligned seat
Tie cestre Of the ipry bench IA.
.CoIae, now, boys remarked the solital
Juror. on taking his seat hurry up the
cakes I've got all these freight bills 70 C
lect, aud eoafound me if l can stay here loI