Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-04-21
Jury Deliberations.


happened not hundred miles from Balti-
more City Court House, when some real
sport was had. III not say who was on the
Jury, and who was not, but will say that
the facts are all substantially true.
Tue Court was tryinga "hoss case. A
gentleman Joyrouced a horse from friend,
aud rode the animal about ten miles, when
the "critter" died. The owner wished sew
cnty dollars for the horse, but bis friend
thought it rather high to pay seven dollars
per mile for riding boss back in Janua-
ry. A dispute arose, and the case went 70
Court. The evidence was to the effect that
there was no way to get out Of paying for the
"hanimal"
So the case went 10 the JurY-the Judge
remarking that it was for them to state the
amount Of money due to the plaintiff They
went out, and for forty-eight mortal hours
argued as to what the horse was worth. Eley-
en- Of them, however, had soon come to the
conclusion that the damages ought to be
about S25, as one Of the witnesses had re-
marked that the critter wasn't bigger nor
whelp, and" he thought he could ha' tied
him up in hankercher :"
The twelfth Juror (who, by the way was
a new hand at juries, and a religious many
loudly contended. however. that the owner
Of the horse ought to have seventy dollars,
which was what he demanded. This SO en-
ragged the balance Of the jurors that they
swore to be reyenged as soon as they were dis
charged. In fact they threatened that if he,
Juror No. u, did not make up his mind that
tEat "woolly boss was worth only S25,
they would, whenever occasion offered knock
him on the head Still the old sk6paint hung
out for the SO.
At length the balance Of the jury found
it was no use to try to change the mind Of
the on man. There he sat listening to their
oaths and arguments. This was too bad,
and ruse was resolved upon, as the only
chance Of escape. from their horrible. hungry
confinement. One Of them, kind Of rough
and-tumble fellow. waxing warm, walked up
to No. IL, and remarked:
"In be-dif thisll do. This place is
a sort Of heaven to you, you old sinner, while
to US it's a perfect hell :"
"Ohl never mind swearing friend" re-
piled No II, let's argue-let's argue the
case"
Lets argue -a and --. you old
cuss! You've got the whole Of US nearly
starved, and yet you want to argue"
"No swearing in the jury room, if you
please. Why not deliberate ?"
Deliberate, well, that's good-decidedly
so! VIII you ever give in? Say yes or no,
for your life's in danger :"
NO. responded No r.
"Well, then, I'll pitch you out Of the
window, you contrary, stubborn. Internal old
fool"
Saying which, he actually took hold Of
No. -, an6 moved him towards the win
dow, when the latter, becoming dreadfuIly
frightened, cried out,
"Bailiff! Bailiff"
That officer, hearing the uproar, immedi-
ately rushed to the door and opened it.
But all was quiet in an instant; No. u,
was scared 50 bad he could not utter word.
In answer to the inquiry as to what was
the matter, our pugilistic juror stepped up
to the bailif, with whom be was well acquaint-
ed, and said, with knowing wink:
"Look here, George, We can't agree, and
l want you to do me favor. want you
to 60 up to my old Woman's-atell her 70 send
down beds and bedding for eleven; also a
charcoal furnace and butcher-knife Tel
her may not Be home for three months -
"Yery well" said George. "the things
shall be here in one hour"
Of went the bailia-click went the lock,
and up spoke No. u.
In Gods name. what do you mean ?"
ell tell you what mean. We have
made up our mind not to stay here another
night without something in the. flesh line to
eat Sooner than starvo to death. We have
resolved to do as other juries sometimes have
done-we'l eat one Of our companions OF
course the meancst man eaten first"
"But isn't be worth 500"
"And when he's gone, well take the next
meanest-"
"The horse is worth $50"
" And so on, until"
".Is the horse worth $40. or $50, or S25H
" Yes, we'd agreed yesterday, or the day
4 ~ eDE II .n.r..n- A..