Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-01-27

to plead. W hat valid reason can YOU give the
court why you should not serve on this jury:'
asked the justice.
81 believe" replied Noah, stretching himself
up to his full hei ght, and taking the cigar from
his mouth which he had been Industrious V slno-
king since he entered the office-"l believe a
fireman is exempt from jury duty!'
"Certainly, certainly" replied the justice
"But was not aware you belonged to either OF
the engine companies. May | ask, MIR. kldgely,
which engine you run with!'
(Which engine2 The old ST. Louis! You
are aware, perhaps Mr.. Justice that the old St.
Louis had two engines; one Of them constitutes
at this time the motive power of the Hannibal, and
that is the engine run with-and when hard
pushed for hands, l have, upon occasions, acted
as tireman-therefore, | supposed I'm excused
from jury duty
Not 50 fast, my friend" intcrposcd the JUS
ticc, this will not excuse you-"
"No!" exclaimed Noah, with apparent sur
prise; 'then," he continued, taking seat on the
jury bench, bring on your case, since am over
ruled and let us 60 through with it as We can,
for I'll be hanged if stop long"
Busby at this juncture returned from another
unsuccessful furay through the neighborng
streets and alleys.
Cant scare up q single man, he reported,
sitting down and wiping the perplraaon from
his face with cotton pocket handkerchief which
he carried in his hat
What is to be done? inquired the lawyers.
4 am sure | don't know answered Justice
Walsh, unless you choose to take Mr.. Ridgelcy
here, and let him decide your case
As the laws Of Missouri permit parties BY mu-
tual consent to take "any number less than
twelve" in civil cases, the lawyers, finding there
WIS no chance of soaring up any more jurors,
agreed to take Noah as the jury, and after few
modest objections on his part, he was sworn IN,
and assigned seat in the centre of the jury
bench.
Come, now, boys remarked the solitary Juror,
on taking his seat, hurry up these cakes;' I've
got all these freight bills to collect and contouhd
me if can stay here long for anybody
The lawyers made short work Of the evidence
not wishing to fatigue the jury and proposed to
submit the case without argument.
The justice thought this was very gooo plan
it was near dinner tinc-and suggested that
perhaps the jury was ready to give verdict with
out leaving his seat, when the jury spoke as fol-
lows:
MAY it please the court, the jury is not ready
to give verdict. This is an important matter
"a matter involving but small sum, 1t IS true;
but the principle to be settled by our decision
here to-day is one which interests the whole city
the Statc-the United Statcs-1 may say the
whole commercial world! The jury at great IN
convenenccs has been dragged here and compel
led to sit in judgement, The evidence beng
through, this jury would like to hear the argu-
mcnt of counseln
Very well,' answered the counsel for the de-
fcncc-and Immediately poured forth torrent
of cloquence in favor of the side he espouscd,
which must have had convincing effect in the
right quarter, for when the learned gentleman
resumed his seat, the jury expressed himself rea-
dy to render verdict; but the attorney for the
plaintiff now insisted upon being heard, and ac-
cordngly set forth his view of the case in such
vivid colors that the jury, before he had finished
his hours speech, had evidently relapsed into
state of doubt and uncertainty.
If the court pleases,' remarked the jury, be
fore this last speech verdict might have been
given which would have satisfied one of the
parties at least; now, it is impossible; this last
speech has turned everything topsy-turvy. There
are some points on which the jury must request
the instructions of the court
The instrctions were given, and it was gencr-
ally supposed that n verdict would be rendered
at once, as the dinner bells was ringing out in
every direction; but not so, the jury preferred to
retire and consider upon its verdict, and rs all
parties except the jury, seemed about obeying
the summons of the bells, hint was deicately
given that it would be no more than proper, and
indeed humane, that the jury should be furnished
with refreshments. The hint was seized upon
by the attorneys, and two very abundeqt din
ners were in few moments passed in through
the window from the jefferson House, the justice,
constables, lawyers, and spectators having left
the Office in possession Of the jury, according to
the custom of those times.
After dinner, the crowd gradually rc-asscm-
blcd in the street, and through the open window
the impcrturable jury was seen with one leg
cooked over the knee of the other, looking care
fully over authorities which had been referred to
by the lawyers; then changcing his position, and
putting the leg which had been under on top,
the upper wall of the room was scanned with
great earnestness for few minutes, after Which
a large volume containing the statutes Ct Missou-
ri was diligently consulted. and so on. 1t was
evident from appearances, that the jury had not
yet agreed.
At o'clock, under instructions from justice
Walsh the constable inquired, as is usual in SIM
liar caScS-'H:s the iurv arrccdN A solemn