Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-22
A Yankee in the Wrong Box.

At recent session, while the Judge and
jury were eating their dinners, a young
mn from the kedentry' being somewhat
anxious to see the manner in which justice
was meted out, walked into the Court room,
and, as he afterwards expressed himself,
{ took a squint at all the seats, and seein'
there wasn't nobody in the incest one, with
a railin' all round it, thought he'd make
sure on it fore the fellers got back from
dinner
In five minutes after the crowd entered
the room, the Judge Tapped the desk with
the butt end of his jack knife, and with
dignifed frown, cried
'Silence'n Court 2
'Silence'n Court = repeated the broad
shouldered constable, leaning on the rail-
ing in front Of His Honor, who immediate
ly resumed the occupation of picking his
teeth with pin.
'Silence'n CourtF p echoed the speaking
tones of a small, red-headed constable near
the door; and the latter speaker immedi-
ately commenced elbowing the crowd right
and left, to let them know that he was
around
All ready?' says the judge.
'All ready 7 replied the attorney
Command the prisoner to stand up !
says the judge, fwhile the indictment is
being read
The broad-shouldered constable now
walked up to the prisoners box, during the
apparent momentary absence of the sheriff,
placed his hands on the shoulder of the
young man, and exclaimed
Stand up Y
What fur?' said the astonished young
farmer.
To hear the charge read !! exclaimed the
constable.
Wall, I guess l kin hear what's goin'
on without standin', as well as the rest on
en-, was the reply.
STAND UP roared the Judge, in a
burst Of passion had just bit his tongue,
while picking his teeth young man,
stand up! or the consequences be upon
your own head
The victim came up on his feet as if un-
der the influence Of a galvanic battery, and
looking around the courtroom, and noticing
that all eyes were upon him, with an ex-
preston about as affectionate as that of a
rabid man toward bowl of water, he hung
his head In confusion and modification,
and was nearly deaf to the words of the in.
; dictment but he heard enough of the long
complicated, tangled sentences, to learn
: that he was charged with stealing, or EN-
bezzling, or cheating or pilfering SOM,
? house or somebody, and he couldn't tel
e exactly which.
: what does he say to the charge ?
) Guilty or not guilty?' inquired the judge
) peeping over his spectacles, with look col,
y enough to freeze a mans blood sGuils
e or not guiltyT
It The. young man ventured to look up, i
f. hopes to find sympathising eye, but a
if were cold and unfriendly, and he agai
le gazed on the saw-dusted floor, and trenble
5, with confusion
Is Guilty or not guilty p again vociferr
h ted the judge in a tone that plainly denote
impatience to proceed with the case
The broad-shouldered constable, bein
rather a humane man, now stepped by
the prisoner and exclaimed
You had better say not guilty, of cours'
te If yousay guilty, you don't stand no chan,
y this term, that's sure and if you say n
ut guilty, and wish, at any future state of Il
case, to change your plea to guilty, you ca
% do it without any injury to yourself !
h Therefore, advise you to say not guilt.
I'D and stick to it as long as there's an
as chance r
lc- Jonathan's feelings had been simmerin
n some time, but now they fairly beiled ovel
ed and with look of innocent but determine