M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1857-03-05
Court Scenc,in Kansas!

Court Scene'in Kansas!
Some two years ago, says our in
formant, quite an amusing and novel
scene transpired in the presence of
his honor, Probate Judge Of Kansas
while he was holding court.
We shall not give the real names
of the parties and hope that no one
will take offense.
The date OF this scene was some
time in February, 1S54-the locale,
in some county.
The court room was a little log hut,
ten by twelve, with q dirty chimney
and floor; chairs were very scarce,
and his honor had several chunks Of
wood drawn in for seats. Upon one
of the said chunks his honorsat, with
all his judicial dignity. Before him
was arraigned some poor fellow for
borrowing his neighbor's chickens
without permission, confronted by his
accuscr. Upon the opposite side Of
the place sat the sheriff and one Of
lis friends engaged in pleasant game
Of "old sledge;" we will call them
Smith and Brown.
The Judge, after adjusting his quill
and brushing back his hair several
times, that his legal bumps might be
thoroughly exhibited, and looking the
prisoner full in the face, propounded
an interrogatory like this.
Sir, what have you got to say for
yourselfP
BrO,Cn--'Smith, l beg
Sa,ith--'Pll see you id first
Judge-'Sheriff, keep silence in the
court. Well, sir, what have you to
say about those chickensP
BrOaon, (aside,)-'Run the kurds,
Smith
PriSOner-I intend to pay Mr..
Wiggins for them Chickens
Jatdge-'Why didn't
Brown-'Smith, you don't come
that new kick over me; follow suit,
d--n you, none of your reniging!'
J4dge--'The court finds it impos-
sible to proceed unless you have order
in the court house,
Smith-'In a.moment, Judge; count
your game, Brown
Judgo-'Did you eat OR sell those
chickens?
PrSSOney-I sold Them
! Jud9e-'How much did you make
on
SaiM-'High, low, jack, gift and
game
Br0am-'Who gave you one!'
Smith-I beg your pardon. 1t was
you that begged
JMge-'Silence in the court!'
Everything was quiet again for q
few moments; the cards were shuffled
and dealt, and in the meantime his
honor proceeded with the examina-
ton.
In the hight of some other ques-
tions, which were being propounded
by the Judge, Smith begged and
Brown gave one, hallowing out:
Now, rip ahead, old hosS; five and
fvep
The Judge indignant and angry; a.
rose from the bench and crossed to the
players. Before lie could speak he
espied Smiths hand, holding the jack
and ten Of trumps, at the same time,
glancing at big stone thatlay between
the two, he saw two half dollars.
Brown says the Judge, 'I'll bet
you five dollars that Smith beats the
game
Done Gays Brown, and up went
the ore.
Smith led off and won the trick ;
led again and won; led the third time
and won; butno game yet; commea-
ced whistling and scratching his head.
JUDGE cleaning on Smith and with
one eye shut)-'Smith, play 'um ju-
diciOusly.'
Smith led little heart and lost the
trick. Brown played the queen at
him and won the ten.
'Hold!' said the Judge, 'let me see.'
Broaop-'What's the matter, j JudgeP
Smith, Impatient IL Lead on,
Brown
BrOam--'Play to the acep
JUDGE, (raving,)-This was a made
up thing-you have defrauded me
fine you both twenty-five dollars for
contempt Of courtp
Brown pocketed the money, the
prisoner slOped, and so the court ad-
.journed without any formal process.
| -~--~>~>>-~~~~~~-~~-~-~,~~>-~,~- ...
DR.. Durbin the great Methodist
orator, once attempted'to preach SER
mon from the text, Remember Lots
wife," and made afailure. Afterward
/