Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1854-01-05


mont, which we consider too good to be
lost.
Many Of the jury, together with the judge
and lawyers, were intending to participate
in celebration Of society of which they
were members, and were consequently-in
their anxiety 10 close the term-rusting
cases through with all the despatch tha,
honor and justice would permit.
At half-past twelve o'clock, one day, an
in.ermission of half an hour for dinner was
granted, with strict injunction from the
judge that all hands mus, be back punctu-
ally a, one, 10 commence a new case of lar
cenv.
The dinners that day were swallowed
with greater rspidity than usual, and as the
clock struck one, the officers of the law
rushed into Court like chickens into meal
trough. While they were eating their din
mere however young man from the ''kedn-
try" being somewhat anxious to see The
manner i'll which Justice was meted out.
walked int" the Courtroom, and as he af-
terwards expressed himself, 'took a squint
a. all The seats, and seein' there wasn't no.
body in the incest one, with a rail;n' all a.
round it, he though. he'd make sure on il a.
fore the fellers got back from dinner"
In five minutes after the crowd entered
the room, the Judge raped the desk with
the but end of his jack knife, and with
dignied frown, cried
"Slence'n the Courtn'
"Silence'n The CouIt," repeated the broad
shouldered constable leaning on the railing
in front Of his honor, and Immediately re-
sumed the occupation of picking his teeth
with pin.
''Slence'n the Court" echoed the squeak
ing tones small red head constable near
the door and the latter speaker Immediate
ly commenced elbowing the crowd, right
and left, 10 let them know tha, he was q.
round
'AIl ready - says the judge. -.
"All ready !" replied the attorney.
"Command the prisoner TO stand up!"
says the Judge, "whiie The indictment is be-
ing read! -
The brood d-shouldered constable now
walked up to the prisoners box, during the
absence of tae sheriff,
placed his hands on the shoulder Of the
young man, and exclaimed
"Sland upn'
"Wal fur :" said the astonished young far
mer.
''To hear the charge read I" exclaimed the
constable.
'Wall, guess can hear what's goin'
on, without standin' as we'll as the res! on
'em," was the reply.
'STAND UP - roared the judge, in burst
Of passion-he had just bi! his tongue while
picking his teeth "young man, stand up
or the consequences be upon your own
head"
The victim came upon his fee, as if un-
der the influence Of galyanic battery, and
looking around the Courtroom, and nolic-
ing that all eyes were upon him with an
expression about as sffec,iona,e as that of
rabid man toward bowl of water, he hung
his head in confusion and m modification, and
was nearly deaf TO the words of the indct-
ment, bu, he heard enough of the long, COM
plics.ed, tangled sentences to know that he
was charged with stealing, or embezzing,
or cheating, or pilfering some house OF
somebody, and he couldin't tell exactly
which.
"What does he say to the charge p
Guilty or no. guilty - inquired the judge,
peeping over his spectacles with a look
cold enough to freeze mans blood
"Guilsy or no. guilty 20
"'he young man ven,ured to look up, in
hopes to find sympa,hising eye, bu. all
were cold and unfriendIy, and he again
gazed on the saw-dusted floor and trembled
with confusion.
"Guil.y or not guilty - again vociferated
the Judge in tone that plainly denoted i'm
patience with the case.
The broad-s shouldered constable being
rather humane man, now stepped up 10 The
prisoner and said
You had better say mot guilty. Of course.
you say 'guilty' y ou dom. stand no chance
this term, ,ha.'s sure, and if you say mot
guilty. and wish at any future state of the
case to change your plea TO guilty. you can
do il, without any injury to yourself. There
fore | advise you TO say mot guilty. and
stick to that as long as there's any chance"
Jonalhan's feelings had been simmering
some time, but now they feirly boiled over,
and with look of innocent but determined
resolution, he, swung his arms abou, his
head and eXclelmed'
"Wat in nature are you fellers trying to
dew3 ] hain't been stealin' noihin'! I
hdnt sure!"
Just al this momen. the front door open
ed and the sheriff, with The genuine PRISON.
er, walked into The room, and proceeded al
once TO the box.
The Court saw in moment its mistake,
and tried to choke off its effect with frown
but was no 60. The crowd buIs, forth
into horse laugh ,hu. fsitly nude the in-
dows rsl.e, and the young man Iel, ,Le
room, cxcIsimlng as lie passed the door