Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-10-20

you been DONG all the afternoon, Judge ?''
He answered just carelessly, ssGoing thro'
my charge, and decision or two l have to
make up tomorrow. AS yet l have not seen
any one since arrived"
The last lie an unnecessary one, as
knew its falsity, for be needed not to have as
serted the fact-an immaterial one. This,
therefore, the more confirmed my suspicious
because | had found these immaterial aSser-
tions to be always made by witnesses when
they are committing perjury, just as towards
whistle to keep up courage.
We continued chatting until the bell rang
for tea, but not tone or an act betrayed that
the Judge was troubled or uneasy. We went
down stairs together and tegan our meals.
The whiskered stranger sat opposite, but he
and the Judge were to each other as if they
had not met. One or two civilities passed be-
tween them, but they were accompanied with
freezing polteness, somewhat unusual in our
western way of life. All this satisfied me
there was something out OF the way, and / re-
solved while at the table TO furnish myself with
some evidence. | finished the meal first, and
went up stairs into the Judges room, and
cropping TO the chimney IN the dark felt for
loose brick, found it, and discovered roll of
paper, took off one or two pieces, and replaced
the balance hastily and left the room.
Nothing more occurred that night worth mar
rating, but next day in Court found the
calendar the case of man who had been in
and had been ont on bail.
"What does this mean 20 | asked Of the
clerk, 81 did not authorize the trial, am l
prepared with witnesses"
"Judge C--ordered it on last term for this
day." answered the clerk, ''producing your
requcst.''
ssMy request stammered I.
''Yes; and here it is as he handed me
piece of paper. bearing in my writing the
words, "Givc Judge CHS request - | re-
membcred, now say it, that had written
the paper, but could not recall the apparently
trivial circumstances which had prompted il.
Just then Judge Conferred, and Court bu-
sinesS began The case in question being
called arose TO postpone it on the ground of
not being prepared.
\ stranger arose from among the lawyers,
and said lie was counsel for the prisoner, and
came from Cincinnati to try the case, at much
trouble, and as he understood, because it had
been ordered on for that day. The counsel tCas
The black uhiskered companion of the Judge.
The latter with bland smile, and dipping
his pen in the ink, ready tor the memorandum,
asked, "W hat IS your name, Sir ~
l was so astonlshed at this cool impudence
that did not hear the answer, but proceeded
to deny any understanding, and to charge that
there some trick.
Nv opponent warily reioined, and moved if
the case was not tried, that his client he dis
charged on bail. This was giving him liberty
to run if he pleased, and opposed this mo-
tion. Ny adversary again rejoincd, and to my
utter astonishment Judge C-granted the re-
quest and ordered the clerk to cancel the
trial bone.
At this juncture / sat amid the litter OF my
brethern, who were ready enough to laugh at
". being caught mapping, as they phrased it.
While was meditating my wrath and my re-
vcngc the clerk announced the panel of Grand
Jurors was now complete, and they were rca-
Il l.9-Nn
and charge them. He MIS- cool and placid
as the morning itself.
Oh, you hypocrte! muttcred through my
teeth, as the black whiskered counsol-and
confederate, as ! fully knew him TO be-slily
sneered at me and drew his chair close to the
bench in attitude of deferential listening.
The Charge was an elaborate one. 1t was
an essay ON crime and its enormitics, and
seemed dramatically worked up Its ahjura-
tiOnS to the grand jury to fcarlesSly lnyes-
tigatc were very pathetic. Its encomiums on
virtue were touchingiy true.
Scarcely had the jury retired, than, in my
capacity as a prosecuting officer | followed
the members to their chamber. To the form
al question, "What was the first business :"
| answered s'To Investigate a charge of NAL
feasance in office against the the Judge"
The foreman and his fellows looked at each
other in establishment. Finally one of them
said with smile '.Take care, brother W. that
your professional rivalry docs not get You
into trouble
[ replied by telling my story and narrating
all the suspicious circumstances of the past
twenty-four hours, and concluded by request
ing that the black whiskered counsel be called
and examined. Amid the astonished silence
of tho grand inquest the constable IN attend
ance went after and returned with the stranger.
He entered easily and nnabashed, saying as
he took chair, 81 am told you desire me 10
L., ,-if
"Pcrhaps cupriti'' 1 exclaimed in pas
sion. entirely losing my control. And then
not needing the band of the foreman on my
shoulder in restraint, said to the constable
who had fingered by the door, Stake of his
boots -
The stranger made two bounds, and was at
the window which led into the garden of the
iail. But the grip of the constable was on
him securely In an instant one Of the Jurors
took his arm another took his leg, and be-
fore any one had time to speak the boots were
off, and two rolls of bills fell on the floor
The firmness and presence of mind OF the
stranger forsook him he trembled IN every
muscle; and as whispered to him ''Villain,
not even your friend, Judge c., can save you.
he turned ghastly pale.
He was seated chair
SIS this good money or bad?" said the
foreman, breaking the dull silence that sue
ceeded the struggle.
Sam 4 witness or am L accused !' ne
stammered, looking toward me.
s.Witness, !" said ], ssif you tell all you know
about Judge c., who is far better game than
you"
.I-know-nothing- about Judge c." he
stammered, never saw him until this day."
..Liar!'' / shouted, forgetting any ofhciai
dignity, in my rage at his falsehood. Last
n;7bt Won and he were together, exchanging
mouey. and. in his presence, you concealed
,,o,,r :. .hoodIe,, in YOUR boots.