Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1857-11-13
FIFTY CENTS IN ADVANCE.
VOLUME "a, NO. 81.
Judge Yell's First Court.

killel NJ tuc ualtlt VI buN's '''' "'' W.
ken his SCAT for the fret time upon the bench
In Arkansas, the bar was composed OF a set
OF lawyers who had always browbeaten his
predecessors aud had their own way. Judge
Yell determined TO put stop 10 this. Tho
first case on the docket was called and tho
plaintiff stood ready. IL was case that
had been in litigation Tor five years. Gem
eral Smoot arose for the defendant, and re-
marked in an oyerbcaring tone, "our wit
nes.cs ara absent, and therefore demand
that the case be continued until next term,
IN course
Let the affidavit b. fled, Tor notiill then
can entertain motion for lts coutinuansc,'
was the reply Of the Judgc.
"D) you doubt my word A. to the facts'"
Gen. Snoo, exclaimed sharply, and inyol-
unfairly raised hi. huge sword cane.
Not at al, " replied the Judge With his
blandr.t smile "but the law requires that
the facts ju,iiyins a continuance must ap-
pear On the rec1rl. and the Court has no
power to anuul a law, nor will i, SEQ !, an.
null~l"
TIE judges deliberate tn'o nui manner
only served to irriatr tho bully, and be re-
tor,ed, shaking his sword cane in the d.
rcctiou Of the bench. Whatever may b
,ho law, I, for one, will no, learn il from
the lips an ur,tart dcmasosuc and cow
arl
Judsc Yelrs temper was little novel AZ
,hi, reply, but he ouly turned to the Clerk
and .ail-"Mr. Clerk. you will enter dno
ordny dollar. against Gen. Snoot, as SO
him named on my docket, Tor gross con-
tempt Of Court, and bo suro you issue an
immediate execution"
lIe had hardly communicated the order
when Gen. Smoot was 'ccu rushing towards
him bandi.hins hi, sword cane. Every
glance WI. Fixed on the coun,cnanco Of tho
Jud.c. or an wished % know how he would
bar the coming shock u the duellst'sierco
assault. but none. however, could dctect
d., slightest change in disappearance. IIo
d.I mo-, change color. nor did q nerve trcm-
blc: 900, calm eye surveyed the advancing
foc. with a little Of perturbation. lIe at
perfectly It'll, with a lttlc .taG u painted
iron m hi. hand smoot a-ccndvl the plat
torn and Immediately aimed tremendous
blow at the head Vt hi. f,c. ~ that blow
an expected IN .cr the victims head shiy-
crsl o, atoms. Tho general astani'hment
may thrn %, conceived, when they hohcll
the lilte iron s'aiT describe q quick curve,
as the great sword cane Jew from Smoo's
fingers, ana frll with loud clatter "a, tho
di,nuc, II tweuty feet in the hall Tho
blrlal bully uttered a yell, AMI snatchel
hi, bowie. knife from its sheath, but ere it
was poised for the desperate plunge, the lit
H. iron ,nf' cut another curvo, and the big
knit, followed the sword cane. H. then
hastily drew a rcyol,in: pistol, but before
b. haI time to touch the trigger his arm
was struck povcrl,s- by hi, side. And then
nr the first time, lid judge Y,ll bctray any
emotion. IIc stamped hi- foot till the plat
form shook bsnrath him and shouted in
trumpet tones" Mr. Clerk, YOU will blot
this ruGiln's name from the roll ofattorneys,
q. foul disgrace to the bar Mr.. Sheriff,
TAX, the criminal to pil." The latter of
Gcsr spraus u obey themaniat', and immc-
dntsly q scene u confusion cnsuci whichno
pen can describe. Tho hravo- and myrmi-
don friends % Gen. Sm5ot, gathered around
n oh.truct tho sheriff, while many Of tho
citizen. lent their aid {, sustain the author
i,y Of uc Court. Menacr., shouts anil
curses vcr, c,mminclci Tho new judge
u.cd III. little iron cane with terrible cH-
cheney, crirPlins limos, yet 'rarInE life.
The sheriff, initiating the clcmcncy Of his
honorrl friend. i,.lniuine the ~" of either
knit, NJ prstol, actually ,nmplci and crush
cd opposition, singing out at every furious
blow" Tui, is the way 10 preserve order
la court. "a sentiment which he accompa-
nicl with loud peal Of laughter In less
than two minute. the party OF the judge
triumyhrl, the clique Of Gen. Smoot suffer-
cl q disastrous defeat, and the bully him
srlCwas borne away TO prison. Such was
the debut ol Archibald Yell IN Arkansas;
and from that day, hi, i,poruIariiy as a man,
as a Juds,, asa hero, and a' 4 politician,
went on rapidly increasing, tiIl ccliP'Ins tho
old and mos, powerful names, It sot on the
bloody eve Of Bucna Vista.