The Empire County argus., 1854-05-27

| J d
on taking his seat "hurry up these cakes; I've got
all these freight bills to collect and confound mef
can stay here long for any body"
| The lawyers made short work of the evidence
mot wishing to fatigue the jury and proposed to
submit the case without argument
The justice thought this was very good plan
it was near dinner time-and suggested that per-
haps the jury was ready to give verdict without
leaving his seat, when the jury spoke as follows:
"May it please the court the jury is not ready to
give verdict. This is an important matter-a
matter involving but small sum, it is true but the
principle to be settled by Cur decision to-day is one
which interests the whole city-the State--the Uni
ted States--I may say the whole commercial world !
The jury at great Inconvenience has been dragged
here and compelled to sit in judgement The ev-
dence being through this jury would like to hear
the argument of council"
every WELL" answered the counsel for the defence
and Immediately poured forth torrent of elo-
quence in favor of the side he espoused, which must
have had n convincing effect in the right quarter
for when the learned gentleman resumed his seat
the Jury expressed himself ready to render ver-
dict but the attorney for the plaintiff now insisted
upon being heard, and accordingly set forth has
view of the in such vivid colors that the jury
before he had finished his hours speech, had evi-
IDENTIFY relapsed into state of doubt and uncertain
ty,,
eff the court pleases, remarked the jury, 'before
this last speech verdict might have been given
which would have satisfied one of the parties at
least nov, it is impossible; this last speech has
turned everything topsy-turvy. There some
points which the Jury must request the instruc-
tions of the court"
The instructions were given, and it general
ly supposed that verdict would be rendered at
once, as the dinner bells were now ringing out in
every direction but not so the jury prefer ed to re-
tire and consider upon ats rerdic and all parties
ercept the jury, seemed about obeying the summons
boIIe loI, Al.
be more than proper, and, indeed humane. that
the jury should be furnished nth refreshments. The
hint was seized upon by the attorneys and tco very
abundant dinners were in few moments passed in
through the window from the neghboring Jefferson
House. the justice consablcs, lawyers, and specta-
tors, having left the office in possession of the jury,
according to the custom of those times.
After dinner, the crowd gradually re-assembled
in the street, and through the open window the i'm
perturbable jury was seen with one leg cooked
over the knee of the other, looking careful over
the authorities which had been referred to by the
lawyers; then changing his position. and putting
the leg which had been under ON top the upper wall
of the room scanned with great ernestness for
few minutes, after which large youmn containing
the statutes of Missouri 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 cases--"Has the jury agreed q solemn "No"
was the response and soon after candles were
brought and placed upon the table by the constable
who, after lingering moment in the hopes of an
Inclination that verdict had been agreed on, was
waved out of the room by the jury. From quar-
ter past until | o'clock the jury cogitated with
out any result. At length Busby was ordered to
summon the jury into court, which was done by
opening the outer door and admitting the justice
and crowd into the presence of the jury.
cat tha nnIac lad nj
time.
"Gen.leman of the jury said the justice, majes-
tically, have you agreed upon your verdict ~
"Nlay it please the court" answered Noah, with
great dignity 81 believe it is customary to poll the
jury before asking that question.
Every well,' replied the justice, who it must be
confessed was becomiI little 1retful-'poll way.
Busby polled the jur., calling out from his list
"No-ah Ridgely!"
"Here! y answered the jury.
"All right" reported Busby to the justice
"No,p. then-the jury being polled-Gentleman
of the jury" repeated the justice. slowly, 'have-
you agreed-upon verdict -
"May-it-- -please-the court--NO !" answered
Noah, rising, and shaking his head emphatically.
"Is there any likelihood of the jury being able to
agree 2" demanded Justice Walsh, desperately
"Not the least ghost of chance" replied the per-
son addressed--"THE JURY is HUNG"
dismissal Of the jury followed and new trial
was ordered The hero of my sketch continues to
collect the freight bills of the old Hannibal and
believe he is considered exempt from jury dutH by
general consent.--N. o. Picayunc.
CALIFORNIA LOVE- LETTER-San Jose Nav Cd,