Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-12-28
How Peter Rothered the Lawyers

" y -
The only fat wish you to understand, Is, that
was there, and that while there. it became my for
tune to meet once again with my CID acquaintance
Peter Murooney.
When entered the court room. there was quite a
mixture of oval Irish and round German faces outside
of the iron railing which forms the barrier to en-.
croachments upon the dignity OF the bar and Judg-
ing from the broken heads and blackened eyes ex-
hibted by many of the spectators, :twas not dlhcu
to sumise that the occasion which had brought them
together was obtain the plaster OF the law tor
wounds which had lately been received by one OF
those spirited which warm up So delightfully."-
the old Celtic heart.
But let me describe the scene. Within the railing.
and running from it at right angles, some seven
or eight benches, crowded with quite respectable
number of witnesses, consisting OF delicate sprnk-
ling of all nations. Paral to the benches, but on
the opposite side of The courtroom. on elevated SEALS
sat the terrible jury. The central space was occu-
pied by fair mahogany table, covered with green
cloth, around which seated quite number OF
dainy dressed gentlemen, who styled themselves
attorneysat law. Seated in The centre and rear, on
an elevated platform: dom ma ing the humber desk
of the clerk, a couple of grave elderly gentle
men, with keen eyes and placid faces whose posts OF
honor indicated the judicial nature of heir functions
The case, which already up for hrarng, was,
as | expected one of assault and battery. The
facts, they dimly elected appear to have
been these The Irish, who were the defendants.
had, some shc:t time previous, been invited 10 wake
one Mr. McShane at short distance in the county,
while, on the same evening" the Germans had been
out dancing al of their customary festival balls
! These Two parties returning homewards somewhere
in The sna hours. met; and, meeting, fought; but,
who began the aray, seemed difficult of discovery
as the philosophers stone.
Just | entered, :he counsel for the defence was
in the act of examining slip of paper. Presently,
| he said to the clerk
Call Peter Murooney, if you please
| What do you expect to prove by him % said the
attorney for the prosecution.
GA good deal that may take you by SURPRISE re-
sponded the other with smile.
| "Ah, dare say" said the prosecuting attorney,
whom we shall call Mr. Bbulous. GO | dare say !;
these Irish always hang together"
"Speak your sentiments more plainly" said the
other with laugh: 'perhaps you would rather
they should hang together"
50 dvn't know said Bibulous. who being of op.
posite politics to The Irish party in f, regarded
them with no little aversion.
e Peter Murooney,' cried the clerk
g Peter Mul-rooney!" exclaimed the stentorian
crer.
There was answer beyond quick shutting of
feet, and eager whispering, in which touch of
the brogue predominated.
"Si-lenee = shouted the crer And then he called
out again at The top of his voice
'Peter Mul-rooney!"
" Whist We Onaudn - said Peter, who had all
this time been standing quietly by the side of the
other. Sure, as I'm not little gossoon lost in a
crowd. there's made to below atther like a
"Why didn't you answer then 2" said the crier,
surrily.
''Arrah, betther manners to ye !" retored Peter.
IS Would | be afther dSturbin' their hcnors in that
dirty way; an gintleman of standln', an tach-
er of the decences.
You swear, Mr.. Mulrooney? ' said the clerk,
profering the book.
g Do you lake me for hayhen o. said Peter, in
dignantly. Sure IFS not respectful 10 swear in a
court of Justice"
Rut bo olo
Did yer honors ver hear the likes o that !" said
Peter, appealing to the bench. "A christian man,
an dacent lOokn man, too, barGin he has lost his
crop of hair lntlrel y-an pu' shrange lookn
thach"-lhe clerk wore Wi e. to make me bur
glariously an feelonously swe,r before the face OF
yer honors, an the g Dtlemen of the jury, an the
ginllemen OF the bar. Oh but the vartue in me
-. edMt
"Mulrooney," said one of the judges, striving to
repIess the quiVerng about the muscles of his lips
his associate was sluting white handkerchief into
his mouth" Null ooney, you must be aware that il
is ways necessary for witness 10 take oath be-
fore he be permitted to give evidence the bar ,.
Sure, sir, know" said Peter innocenty.
That is what the clerk requires of you,' conn-
ued the judge, who added, with faint attempt oil
gravity" you will also recollect that it is our duty
to commit any one to prison for contempuous beha
t vior in Court
Long life to yer honor" said Peter :" sorra Bit
Ill disgrace mesef by hurtin the feelins' of any re
spectacle grey haired gneman like yerself or ye'r
honors brother yonder who is attn his white hand
kecher to stop the hunger pain. Deed sir, I'd be
v kin great shame to meself if did,"
Swear him !" said the judge, nodding hastily to
: the clerk, and sinking back in his wel-cushioned
, seat.
" Now, MIR Mulrooney." said the counsel for hi,
friends, tell US what you know about this affair
l. Peters story is perfect rgmaroe He had beer
TO his friend McShanes Wake-he had returned from
IT. his friends got INTO trouble with The Germans but
It as TO how the afray commenced, his memory, clea
n enough before, became very hazy All he could re
r celIec, was that sundry of the Irish being sound,
pammelied by the Germans, pummelled quite as sound
z ~ their antagonists in return.
= The cross examination now commenced, and al
u Peter caught up and repealed every move of TIT
IA i-wItted Attorney the contest between cutvate
l. sharpness and native shrewdness, became gradual
s very exciting.
II ''Weli Mr.. Mulrooney," said the attorney, yo
say you left home in the evening" assist in observ
ing this national custom OF yours. About what tim
lie in the evening"
"'Deed, SIR" replied Peter with the utmost simpli
re city, " but that bates to say Twas betwixt an
S. betwane shutdown and moon-rise."
lie You at least sure of that, suppose" said tn
b. attorney quickly.
y "Och, by the powers that am said Peter wit
ID a keen twinkle OF the eye.
to 8" Have you an almanac, Mr.. Clerk: prav see 2
ut what time the set and the moon rose on the st
lie of April LAST
Sun set the eigth of April, drawled the clerk
ne in thu usual nasal tone, at twenty four minutes pas
I'd six moon at thirty minutes past eleven!
H. There were sudden throughout the Cour,
at like he scurgc of waves upon the sea beach tn
tx face Of the prosecuting attorney flushed crimson
I'D while Peter Mulrooney looked the very picture of u
1g CONSCIOUS innocence
st You must speak 10 the point Witness" said th
f. judge with all the sharpness be could command