The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-12-15
How Peter Mulrooney Bothered the Law
yeTs.
BY syLvAsu. uuBAN, TIE YOUNGER.

What was il that took me into the court.
room Of t, whether unpleasant business
or ignoble curiosity, need not be known even
unto you, dear reader. The only fact which
| wish you to understand, is, that ] wa
there. and that while there it became my
fortune to meet once again my old acquaint-
ance, Peter Mulrooney.
When entered the courtroom, there was
quite mixture Of oval Irish and round
German faces, outside the iron railing which
forms the barrier to cncroachments upon the
dignity Of the bar and, Judging from the
broken heads and blackencd eyes exhibited
by many Of the spectators, it was not diff
cult to surmise that the occasion which had
brought them together was 10 obtain the
plaster Of the law for wounds which had
lately been received in one Of those spirited
rows which warns up so delightfully."- the old
Celtic heat.
But let me describe the scene. Within
the railing, and running from it'in vight an
giles, were some seven or eight benches,
crowded with quite respectable number OF
witnesses, consisting Of delicate sprinklng
of all nations. Parallel to the benches, but
on the opposite side of the courtroom, on
elevated seats, sat the terrible jury. The
central space was occupied by a fair mahoga-
ny table, covered with green cloth, around
which were seated quite number OF dainti'
ly dressed gentlemen, who styled themselves
Attorneys.at-law Seated in the centre and
rear, on an elevated platform, dominating
the humber desk of the clerk, were cou-
pie Of grave, elderly gentlemen, with keen
eyes and placid faces, whose posts Of honor
indicated the judicial nature Of their func-
tons.
The case, which was already up for hear.
ing, was, as expected, one of assault and
battery. The facts, as they were dmly eli.
cited, appear to have been these The Irish,
who were the defendants, had, some short
time previous, been invited to wake one Mr..
McShanc, at short distance in the country,
while, on the same evening, the Germans
had been out dancing at one Of their custo-
mary festival balls. These two parties re-
turning homeward, somewhere in the small
hours, met; and meeting, fought; but,
who began the aifray, seemed as difficult OF
discovery as the Philosophers stone.
Just as entered, the counsel for the de-
fence was in the act of examining slip Of
paper. Presently, he said to the clerk:
"Call Peter Mulrooncy, if you please"
"What do you expect to prove by him ?
said the attorney for the prosecution.
"a great deal that may take you by sur.
prise" responded the other with smile.
"Ah, dare say" said the prosecuting
attorney, whom we shall call Mr.. Bibulous,
81 dare say these Irish always hang togc.
ther.'
Speak your sentiments more plainly"
said the other, with laugh perhaps you
would rather they should hang together"
al don't know" said Bibulous, who being
of opposite politics to tho Irish party in
t., regarded them with no little aversion.
"Petcr Mulrooney!" criedthc clerk
"Peter Mulrooney !" exclaimed the stem
torian crier.
There was no answer beyond the quick
shuilins of feet, and an eager whispering,
in which touch Of the brogue predominant.
cd.
"S- -lence!" shouted the crier. And then
he called out again at the top Of his voice,
"Peter Mul-rooncy!"
"Whist yc omadmau!" said Potter, who
had all this time been standing quietly by
thu side of the other. "Surc, as I'm not a
little gossoon lost in The crowd, there's no
made TO below afthcr me like great bull
calf"
"Why didn't you answer them" said the
cricr, surlily.
"Arrah, betther manners to ye!" rctortcd
Peter. "Would be afther disturbin' their
honors in that drthy way; an ! gintle.
man of standing, an tacher Of the daccn.
ces -
"You swear, Mr.. Mulrooncy said the