Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-02-19

tencc, he bctook himself again to the practice
OF the law, and was retained in nearly all the
important criminal cases of that period. A new
Court had been formed by act of the Iepisla-
ture, and three new judges appointed. all of
whom were very hostile to b. not only on
account of his superior knowledge of law but
because he never let an occasion sin to show
them that he was their superior.
"On one occasion he was defining his opinion
on a point OF law before the Court in 6anc on
motion for a new trial in arrest of Judgment
WITH
Now Judge B, that is not the law and
you know it; and if you don't know it YOU
ought to, for you were judge once YOURSELF
"'As for the matter of that, your Honor re-
joined Judge B, there has been more than
one BOBBY upon the bench
THAT settled the hash with one of the Judges.
but the other two were determined to have a
set-to with him, and the multiplicity of his prac-
tice soon gave them the desired opportunity.
"a fow days after the 'booby received his
quietus, Judge B had a case before them,
whice, for particular reasons, he wished to have
continued Tor day or two. B was for the
defense. The Attorney General was willing to
continue it, but the judge was determined it
should go on. B was nettled at this dis
courtesy, but he 'nursed his wrath to keep it
warm The case was called up, the jury i'm
panneled and the defense was called upon to
plead to the indictment.
Judge B hastily indorsed the pleas of
Not Guilty on the back of the indictment, with
out being noticed by the Judge, and throwing
himself back in his chair, folded his arms and
looked very unconcernedly out of the window.
Inc Judge called to him in loud tone,
Judge B, have you pteadr
"No your Honor, have not
Gland me the bill of indictment, Mr.. Attor-
ney General, said the judge. He glanced at it,
and noticing the entering of the plea become
very angry.
What does this mean, Judge B-?'
thundered the judge. you have Just tolo me
you had not plead to the Indictment, and here
is your plea in your own handwriting. Do YOU
mean to insult the Court, SirP'
ION the contrary, said Judge B., slow
lly raising himself to his full height, Il wish to
instruct the Court. Your Honor asked me if l
had ptead to the indictment. Ianswered, | had
not, and | repeat it. Now for the instruction
of the Court / hare pleaded. l hope the Court
Is satisfied that intended no insult
mo. let him alone thereafter
but Judge No. 3, the youngest of the three,
essayed his powers upon Judge B only a
few weeks later.
"Judge B was defending notorious ras-
cal who was indicted on the charge of Larceny.
The evidence forthe prosecution was overwhelm-
ing, which Judge B not only made no at
tempt TO refute, but offered no testimany in IA
vor of his client. The Judge on the bench sug-
gested that as the case was clear one, it had
better be submitted without argument. But
Judge b thought differently and stated that
he should address the jury. The Attorney Cen
eral opened the case, and Judge B followed
in speech that partook of a Fourth of July
oration, a lecture upon Shakespeare, and his
tory of the French Revolution. In his flight of
eloquence he forgot both his client and the flight
OF time. lie was brought to a sudden check in
one of his most beautiful bursts by the voice of
the Judge, who had been on nettles for the last
half hour.
"'Judge B. said he pulling out his watch,
ARE YOU aware of the time of day? 1t is half
"'Well, what of that? p quietly returned the
orator.
"'You know very well, Sir answered the
Judge who was sallow meagre-looking, and
extremely irrtableman, that the Court is in the
habit OF adjourning every day at one O'Clock for
dinner. The Court has waited half an hour ex
pecting you to finish your speech
This was too much for Judge B, and.
turning fall upon the Judge, with his long fing-
ger extended exclaimed,
81 know your Honoris great lover of Shaks-
peare-l know your Honor is q great admirer
OF the poetry of the immortal bard but there
is one great truth in Shakespeare that must have
escaped the attention of your Honor l allude
to that scene in King Lear where the poet with
great truth says, "IHe lean, la,lk, and hungry
ludge 'could hang the guiltiess rather than eat
his mutton coldr' With your Honor's permis-
SION will here close my speech. "-Harpers
Magasine.