Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-06-02
From the New York Spirit Of the TimoI,
JURY DELIBERATIONS--How mum.
hGr IL heCamR CnnYinCan.

Der IL became convinced.
Friend Spirit got rather a
good story to tell you about Jury Trial,
which happened not hundred miles from
Baltimore City Court House, where some
real sport was had. I'll not say who was
on the jury and who was not, but will
say that the facts arc substantially true.
The court was trying a" hoss" case
A gentleman borrowed a horse from q
friend. and rode the animal about 10 miles
when the "critter" died. The owner
wanted seventy dollars for the horse, but
his friend thought it rather high to pay
seven dollars per mile to ride 'hoaa-back
in january. A dispute arose and the
case went to court. The evidence was to
the effect that there was no way to get
out of paying for the "hanimal."
So the case went to 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 horss was
worth, Eleven of them, however, had
come to the conclusion that the damages
ought to be about twenty five dollars, as
one Of the witnesses had remarked that
at the crtttsr was no bigger than whelp."
up in handkerchief"
The twelfth Juror, who by tho way,
WAS new hand at jurieS, and religious
man. loudly contended, however, that
the owner of the horse ought to have Sc
venty dollars, which was what he deman-
dcd. This SO cnrAged the balance of the
Jurors, that they swore they would be
rcTenged as soon as they were dischArg.
ed. In fact, they threatened that if he,
Juror No, 12 did not make up his mind
"Mat Woolly hoss" wAa worth only $25
they would, whenever occasion offered,
knock him on the head. Still the old
skinfint hung out for the $40.
At length the balance of the Jury found
it was of no use to try to change the mind
OF the old man, There he sat listening
to their oaths and arguments. This was
too bad, and u ruse Was resolved upon,
as the only chance Of escape from their
hungry confinement. One Of them, a kind
ofrough- and tumble fellow, waxing warm,
walking up to Number twelve, and re-
marked:
"lll be - il this II do Thi. place
is n sort of heaven to you, you old sinner,
while to us it is a perfect hell"
ooh never mind swearing, friend, "
replied No. 12, "lst's argue-let's argue
the"
"Let's argue -- and --, you
old cuSa You have got the whole OF US
nearly starved, and yet you want to ar
gue!"
" No swearing in the Jury room. ifyou
please, Why not deliberate ?"
Deliberate well, that's good-de-
odedly SO ! Will you ever give in ? Say
yes or no, for your life is in danger !"
No " responded No. 12.
"Wsll, then, I'll pitch you out of the
window, you contrary, stubborn, internal
old fool -
Saying which, he actually took hold OF
No, l9 and moved him towards the win.
dow, when the latter, becoming dreadful.
ly frightened cried out
"Mr. Sheriff-Mr. Sheriff.
The officer hearing the uproar, immo'
diately rushed to the door and opened it.
But all was quiet in an instant No. IL
WAS so scared that he could not utter a
word. In answer to the enquiry as to
what was the matter, our pugiliStic juror
stepped up to the bailiff, with whom he
was we'll acquainted, and said, with a
knowing wink:
Look here, Tim, we can't agree, and
want you to do me favor, want you
to go up to my old woman's-tell her to
send down beds and bedding for eleven,
also a charcoal furnace and a butchers
knife Tell her Iaay not be at home .to'
Iir n,onths!
Very WE'LL" said Tim, :" the thing.
shen be here in an hour"
Oh went the bailiff-click went the
lock- ana UP spoke No. 12.
sAid he. N"' Wv v" '-'''D
"I'll tell you what mean, We have
made up our minds not to stav here ano.
ther night without something in tho fs,h
line to eat. Sooner than ItSrye to 5.otL
we have resolved to do what other iurie,
have sometimes done, we will eat one O
our companions otcourse the meanss
man frat"
But isn't the horse worth $40"
And when he's gone we will take tn
next meaneIt--"
The horae is worth $5o-"
And 90 on, until"
$25?"
es, we'd agreed yesterday, or tn
day before, that he's worth $25; an,
sooner than say on my oath that = hors
which could be tied up in a handkerchief
was worth more than $25, I'd turn can
nible and eat up every - Juryman il
the room, and then eat up myssIfg'