The Placer herald., 1857-07-04

dragoonlng process to which, in the retire
ment of the jury-room, he had subjected his
eleven comrades.
was not particularly sorry when the re-
vovng wheel once more turned out Kraut
and myself together. We took the same
chairs in which we had been neighbors be
expression which gave token of rather un-
neighborly feelings, and thought detected
symptoms of anticipated conquest lurking in
every feature of his broad face.
What this trial was about cannot precise
" recollect. 1t was a commercial case, and
there was great deal of evidence about in
voices, bills of ladng, stowage on deck or
under deck, and other nautical matters as to
all which it was very clear that Kraut was
Immediately enveloped in the densest sort of
fog; and, overpowered by the combined effects
Of litigation and lager beer, his head drop
ped forward, and he was during the greater
part of the trial, in state of profound in
sensibility.
When we got into the jury-room, however,
Kraut was wide awake again, ard ready for
action. There was some discussion as to the
rights of the parties, and for short time
there was prospect of disagreement without
reference to his inclination. Gradually the
opposing views of the Jurors were harmonic
ed, and in about half an hour, we were
unit, kraut only excepted. He had kept
quiet during the debate, but as soon as he
perceived that there was an era Of good feel
ing among his colleagues, he threw in the
apple of discord in the shape of his customary
dissent to the proposed verdict. Three or
four Of the jurors immediately caved in, and
there was kraut faction at once; the more
enterprisng men of the majority "tackled'
the Krauts without loss Of time, and a very
promising quarrel was the speedy result.
eXtrcated myself from the group, and
taking my chair to the window, which over
looked the Park, with a prospect by no
means unpleasng, even in mid winter, appro-
priated the other only vacant seat for my
more complete accommodation, then drew
from my pocket very entertaining volume,
selected with great care in anticipation Of
this duress, to which | had looked forward
ever since my last experience in the same
room, and lighting a capital cigar, devoted
myself with philosophic ardor to both these
sources of consolation. As read and smok-
ed could perceive that the division in favor
Of kraut was soon overcome, and that the
deserters to his standard had betrayed him,
so that he was left alone in his glory again,
and occupied his familiar position Of one out
of a dozen. The ten tried him apparently
by turns, and exhausted upon him every thing
conceivable in the way of argument, entreaty,
and vitupcration, but lie stood his ground,
and by the time had turned over the th:r-
4, .,f, ,b =
of lighting my third cigar he had slenced
them all, and remained firmly intrenched in
his obstinacy. The consequence was that
they all subsidized into sulkiness, and the in
terrupton to my quiet enjoyments was re-
duced to the minimum. SO sat, enveloped
in smoke and endeavorng, as far as | could,
to reflect, in the perfect serent ty of my coun
tenance, the pleasing impressions Of my au-
thor. The third cigar being reduced to
ashes, | supplied its place by "A fourth; and
when that, tco, had passed into vapor, its
successor made an immediate appearance,
and pnffed on with the gravity Of Grand
Vizer.
The seventh cigar-and my train began to
carry fac. | was in the midst of a graphic
narrative, and really quite oblivious Of all my
suppressed cough by my shoulder, and look
ing up there stood Kraut, as ugly as ever,
but with premonitions of defeat unmstaka-
bly, settling over his fat face. | looked at
him as though he was SO much blank space
or chair back; and the shadow of coming
submission fell still deeper over his features.
"Mcinherr," said he at last, show many
cigars have you got NIT you!"
about three Dozen" said |, knocking off
the ashes of No. I with my little finger as
drew it from my lips to communicate this
item OF statistics.
d-you-mean-to stay out here-tl
you smoke them all!" asked Kraut, his fears
aiding his English.
Certainly" said |, and gave long and
strong puff, corroborative of the assertion,
and resumed my devotion to my author.
Kraut fell back. lie fired one or two
guns in the way Of Dutch oaths and exple-
tives, but it was evident he was in full retreat.
There was presently a renewed buzzng Of
voices; and by-and-by bustling little Irish
man, who had been manifestng great anxiety
on the subject Of supper, came to me, with
triumph beaming in both eyes, and the in
tellgence that "Misther Kraat was agreeable,
and that was just wanted to sign the saaled
verdict"
The sealed verdict was signed We had
been out Just three hours; and as the officer
unlocked the door and restored US to freedom,
his face wore an expression of mingled salts
faction and surprise. 1t was just dusk; and
though he looked hard at Kraut, the latter
kept his counsel, and his counenance too,
and nothing betrayed him as having been
smoked into that verdict.
From that night kraut evidently regarded
me with respect, and, had we CHANGED to sit
every day on the same cause, would doubtless
have exhibited more discretion than vaor in