The Placer herald., 1856-11-15
The "Pints" in the Case.
WILD ROSE

famous old joker, who arrived Yesterday from
away up in the interior, tells pretty rooc
'un on a Justice Of the Peace who "hold.
court" up in his neighborhood. Two men
Ben Strong and Joe Short, were PLAYING
euehre for $40 the rub Two or three
hundred dollars had passed between the par.
ties-the bulk of ii getting to Strongs pocket
and both were excited. Finally dispute
arose about the counting in the game, Short
insisting that Strong had marked point
more than be had fairly made The idea
was the more annoying to Short because the
extra point gave Strong the game. Ben
cooly raked down the funds, but Joe flew
into a passion, and swore if there was any
law in county that he would have the
matter tested. Now that county boasts of a
Justice of the Peace who is very hard to
beat, and the fact that he has been elected
three times is evidence of his popularity He
it was who tested the case on the following
day.
At the proper moment the parties. atten-
ded bv counsel entered the court and took
their seats. Strong insisted on jury trial,
which was granted, the selection Of jury
occupied about an hour, during which few
good scenes occurred. The name Of James
Hardy was, after considerable trouble, de-
clared "satisfactorv." But he did not ap-
pear to suit the Squire, who knew him very
well.
'Jim," said he, after the attorneys had got
through with him, DO YOU know anything
whatsoever Of the 'pints' in the case!"
jim answered in the negative
'You're such liar, jim, l can't believe
/
Jack from the bottom every pop. amt fit to
sit in a case like this" Then eveing jim, as
he left the room he added, He's come it on
me fifty times"
Another juror was Immediately chosen,
whereupon the attorney went on to estate
the case" "That on such a night, at such
place, in such a county and State, Ben Strong
did, in quiet game of 'keards,' called euchre,
with Joe Short, with malice aforehought
and evident intention to rob, steal and swim
die, turn up point more in the game than
he had made, thereby unawfuly taking the
plaintiffs money" Ben was also accused of
'renigging.'
Two witnesses were examined as to the char.
acter Of the opposing parties. Each Of the
lawyers made speech and put the case in
as strong light as possible. Then came
the charge"
"Gentlemen Of the jury" commenced the
Squire, very gravely, ''the points in this here
case like angels visits are few and far be-
twixt. The court knows nothing about en-
chre. and never did. but she knows few
about law, gentlemen Of the jury. The court
has went through Blackstone, on law, twice,
and she has read Suggs, Seven up" and,
gentlemen of the jury, she has picked up
good many pints on poker" but she amt
no whar in "Eurhre," and never was. But,
gentlemen of the jury, the court thinks she
understands the pints in this case. Ben
Strong and Joe Short they played at ten
dollars. ante-and Ben he won. Will YOU, |
gentlemen of the jury, find Ben for winning7
Who wouldn't like to VIM Not even the
court herself But you kin do as you please
about it. Then the 'oppost' attorney says
jury, did he prove that pint9 No he didn't
begin to do it. Ben Strong plays fair game
at 'keards' The court has played old sledge'
and 'whskey poker with Ben for the last
two years, and he naver catched him stock
ing the papers or turning jack from the bot
tom But, gentlemen of the jury you kin do
IA you like with Ben. The pints in the case,
then, gentlemen of the jury, are, first, Ef
you fnd that Ben Strong won Joe Shorts
money, it is clear that Ben hilt the best
.keards.' Second: Eff you find that Joe lost
his money, it is likewise clear that Joe was
10 d--bad luck. These, gentlemen of the
Jury, are all the points in the case, and you
kin retire, and don't be out long for Ben is
going to treat the whole court"
The jury, without leaving their seats, rem
]ered verdict of mot guilty. after which
he winning side, headed by the court, ad- (
ourned to tavern to imbbe. The 'opposit'
ide, headed by Joe Short left in disgust