Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-01-11
SQUIRE POWERS AND JUDGE LISTER

Ii was during the regime Of the old county
court system that chanced to be in Barryton,
the then county site of Washington county,
Alabama, (now in Choctaw.) The "counfy
court was in session, and curiosity prompted
me to enter the "Aula Justici@." Well, in l
went Twas in the year l8-; Judge Lister on
the bench. Judging from appearance, the
Judge is descendant Of Germany--lineal, at
that lie is a fat, chuffy old coon--answers
well to the description of Jack Falstaff-pre.
sides with all the dignity Of Plantagenet-
| and knows about as much about law as bull
yearling Aikens' (Ala.) Digest, a box of home
made tobacco, and gallon pitcher, about half
full (the other half his Honor had belted) of
"red-eye," were placed conveniently before
him, especially the !" bald-face." .r,
Quite number of attorneys and litigants are
present. The Judge about ''three sheets in
the wind, pays but little attention to what Is
going on. AT last, the case of Jones VS.. Brown
Is scaled. tall, gOod-looking man appears for
the plaintiff, James d. Powers Esq :, for the de-
fendant. Both parties announce themselves
ready for trial" A jury is empannelled.-
witnesses. are sworn-the bystanders manifest
| great interest in the case. 1t is evident the
court is with the plaintiff and the whisky with
all hands. Witnesses for the plaintiff are all
examined, and his case is rested-a " prima
facie" case is made out. The defendant brings
| out his proof, and has almost rebutted eyery
fact proved by the plaintiff-Jim Powers sees
lt-he hugs close third Stewart & Porter, for on
1t hangs the pocket of his client. The tall
young man makes bis opening speech-(and a
good one it is too)-third Stewart and Porter
he hadn I seen. Jim Powers, with a face ra-
dlant With smiles-about to grasp the glitterin.
| prize OF success-certain Of a complete triumph
| and easy victory, and that the character of his
client would be fully NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. en-.
barrassment, rises and begins in a Mfalutin''
strain about the injuries which his unfortunate
= has t,lto ,,11 Il l.
| wrong which the plaintiff was seeking, by
your verdict, gentlemen of the jury, forever to
| put on bin. Gentlemen, look at the testimony,
and then see how the counsel for the plaintiff
with the most castiron countenance that was
ever made, perverted the testimony, and in
order to lead you aStray and make you believe
that he was right, looked as pleasing as baske
OF chips. But, said Jim, what have we 10
fear An impartial court, and honest Jury,
with the law and evidence all In our favor
We II ust have verdict, and, gentlemen, de-
mand, IN the name of justice, verdict at your
| hands. Gentlemen, I will now read to the
court, IN your hearing, a decision made by the
supreme court Of Alabama, which completely
covers this cause read from Sd Stewart & Por-
ter, page -, and it is the law and decides this
case in favor of the defendant
This was more than the patience Of Judge
Llster-with a gallon Of /" blue head" under
his shlrt-could bear. So, up he jumps and
squall out:
% Hold Squire Powers, hold, That's all
hddle-faddle, sir. L let you know, sir that we
have got court of our own here. Gentlemen
ot the jury, 60 out and fetch in a verdict for the
plaintiff, and put stop to such tomfoolery,'
lie turned round to Sandford E., who was
sitting close by, and said, in an under tone
Il know but id little law, but am h on
jestice."
Squire Powers was completely nenplussed
he tried to explain, but the more he said the
mercer grew his Honor: Jim, at length, modest
ly intiinated that bill Of exceptions would be
demanded.
"Bill of hell; :" roared Lister. ''Appeal from
ny court. Why, sir, if you talk that way. I'n
hne you and send you to Jail for contempt of
my court, and, if that wont do, I'll whip your
shirt Of-dainn me if don't,''
Squire Powers assured the court no contempt
was lntended-waived a bill of exception-he
and Lister took drink, made friends and adj
Journed court sane die.-NontgOmerv (ALa }
Mail.