Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-02-11
The Arkansas Judge.

In one of the small towns in the cotton grow
ing part of Arkansas, the merchants ship cot
ton for the planters Of the back counties, on
commission. One Of the most respectable mer-
chants Of said town whom we will call Smith
received last year, eight bales of cotton from
one of his customers from o neighboring county,
Jessee Morris by name, and gave his receipt
therefor. In due time the cotton was sold, and
the merchant wrote to Morris to come and set
tie their accounts, which he did and on settle
ment it was found that Morris was still indebt-
ed his merchant $68-having oyerdrawn his
crop to that amount-for which he gave his note
to Smith. @
Some months afterward, the note having be-
come due, and remaining unpaid. Smith sent it
amongst others, to one Stokerly Heller, a justice
Of the peace in Morris county, for collection.
The justice according brought suit on it, but,
before judgement, he died and the said Jessee
Morris was appointed his successor, and took
charge Of his docket, papers, &c.
In due time his court day came on. After
disposing of several small cases, he reached the
case Smith vs. Morris, and although he was
party to the suit himself, he decided that as his
predecessor had commenced the suit, he had
as his successor right to finish it, and called
0ut
"Mr. Constable, call the plaintiff, who, Of
course was not present; and the case proceeded
u follows:
Justice Morris. III want you all to take mo-
tice TINT try this case by the strict rules of
eternal Justice, not the rules that these young
lawyers have brought up here to fool honest men
out Of there rights.
Young Lawyer (modestly looking on. III
would take the liberty Of respectfully suggest
ing TO your Honor, that under the Law, - laid
down BY Blackstone and the Statutes Of Arkan-
Ill 49,
Justice (fercely. Blackstone and Statutes? !?
Hi who cares about them! I know more
about this case than Mr.. Blackstone or Mr..
Statutes either; and will be id If I don't in
tend to try it, too, Or whip every lawyer within
the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court.
Lawyer Every modestly retiring with Black
stone under his arm. We'll, proceed. sir, Ihaye
nothing more to say. ts
Justice lpompously. MIR Constable, notify
the crowd that in this case, Smith has my note
for sos and / have his reception eight bales Of
cotton, which, at $50 per bale, is $240, which
plead Is an Offset and give judgement against
Smith for $172 and my costs; and Mr.. Consta-
bic, If You don't collect that amount and have
i here before this Court forthwith, I'll make you
smoke; dye hear me? And, Mr.. Constable,
i Is ordered that Jenkins and Jenes, who owes
Smith $50 each, be gaynised and commanded to
pay to me on pain ofimprisonment for life Adj
journ Court, MIR. Constable
Wilson (excited. Stop, stop, Mr.. Court
you've not tried my case yet That sans id
fellow, Smith has sued me for $72.
Justice (meditating. Here, well. I'll assign
you thisreceipt for value confederation; there's
Just $72 left on it, which You can plead q u
onset. and iii give you Judgement against Smith
Tor costs. Constable diouTn the Court si,ss DIV.
and bring that bottle under the bench there