The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-02-04
From the Parlor Casket.
A FUGITIVE SLAVE CASE:
Doing a Country Magistrate.
BY HAZEL GREEN, ESQ.

town OF Il, In Illinois, was thrown In
to quite a state of excitement in conse.
quence of the arrest and commital to jail
of fugitive slave. 1t was rot exactly
the arrest and commital, either, that caus-
ed the excitement, but rather report
that had got i circulation, representing
that there were several other negroes BIZ
ding around in the woods, and that a re-
ward of one hundred dollars head, was
already offered by planter in the South,
for their apprehension. Such sum Of
money was not to be winked at in the
midst of hard times, and consequently
there were any number of fellows out on
the scout looking for them.
Some evenings after the arrest Of the
negro, Mr.. P, a young lawyer of the
place plucked me to one side and said:-
"Mr. Green, We have gotten up little
batch of fun for tonight, and we'd be
pleased to have you 60 along and enjoy
it with u.s."
After making several inquiries, and
learning that they were going to the res
idence of Squire Brill, some three miles
in the country, for the purpose of trying
new and very important slave case, |
consented to join them.
About nine clock, P. NJ, my friend,
the lawyer, called around and informed me
that all was 20 readiness. 1t was one Of
Autumn's loveliest nights, and so we star
ted to foot it to the old Sqnre's. Just at
the outskirts of the town we found some
twenty or thirty persons in waiting for US;
with the negro in custody. He was a
large, strapling fellow as black as dan
dy's boot, and about as ragged as he well
could be. His hands were securely tied
behind bin, aud rope was passed sew
eral times around his body and legs. In
this disabled condition he was made to
walk between two constablcs, each with a
Colts revolver in his hand.
At first I felt a little disgusted with the
proceedings, and was about half inclined
to give them bit of my nind; for Thought
that they we're making altogether more
display than was necessary; but when l
saw the town Magistrate, and several Of
the best citizens in the crowd, | reflected
that they could not be doing anything
more than was right, and SO | concluded
to hold my peace. The crowd moved on
at lively pace, all talking laughing and
enjoying themselves, apparently to the
fullest extent; and as might have been
expected. l was soon in the thickest of
them enjoying myself also. In the course
of our trip happened to drift up along
side the darkey, who turned to me as fa-
miliarly as you please, and said -
"Hello Haze, is that you ~
eyes," replied l, astonished almost be-
youd description. How on earth could
Louisiana negro know anything about
me, who had never been farther Sough
than Cairo, in my life. | was complete
ly "dumbfounded." Felt like | could
crawl into an auger hole, but didn't know
Why. To add to my discontinue, sever
al members of the company beheld my
astonishment, and burst out into loud
laugh; which caused the thought to strike
me that they were impressed with the l.
dea that | was an abolitionist, and had
been sneaking around through the woods
with the negro and had there formed his
acquaintance. Even the negro could not
refrain from laughter, but let himself out
in regular set ha, ha, ha That laugh
did the business. 1t sounded "as famil-
liar as household words.' | could not be
mistaken--it was none other than the
laugh of my very particular friend, Jack
Anderson. A new light began to burs.
upon my vision. The whole thing was a
hoax. A vey few words made all plain
to me. Squire Brill, to whose house We
were going, had ridiculed to great ex-
tent, the decision made in the former fu-
gitive slave case, by Squire Haims.-
Squire Haims was oao of the best men in
the world, SO the boys about town took it
upon themselves to play off this trick upon
Squire Brill, and let him make decision
to his own liking.
About eleven o'clock we arrived at
our place of destination. Squire Brill
had retired, but we called him up, and
informed him that another negro had been
caught, and that as there had been
some dissatisfaction expressed in relation
to the late decision made by Squire
Hams, Squire Haims had refused to sit
on this alone, and SO it was thought best
to bring it before him.
Without further ceremony the old fell
low hauled on bis dignity, complained
about bis eyes being very sore, unfolded
his docket, turned over few leaves of an
old law book, and then announced that
he was ready to hear the ease. The case
was opened in due form, lawyer p. pros
ecuting, and lawyer H, who also made
one of our company, defending. Long
and fiery speeches were made. Ii. preach
ed up Abolitonism, and threw out some
pretty strong hints which did not sit well
with the Squire, who was prominent
democrat Several times he called him
to order, and more than once he threat
ened to inact a fue if be was again viii
fully and knowingly guilty of casting in
situations at the Court.
After trial of about two hours in
length, the case was rested, AMI Squire
Brill decided against the Derro: and or