Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-01-21
TERMS or ADvERTIsING.
For the CiarksUiile Chronicle.
, A COURT-INCIDENT IN EARLY
TIM ES

i was soJourninS lew Gays III one OF
the border counties of Tennessee, in the
year 1921, and while there, the Quarterly
Court convened. Being a man of leizure,
had lounged about the village until tired
of the place, and had concluded to resume
my rambles, when an acquaintance l had
formed in the town, persuaded me TO stay
and witness the proceedings of the Court
1T being State s day; and thinking some
thing amusing might transpire, l consent
ed to stay. q M
The FIRST case called, was an indictment
against long, slabs sided fellow for not
keeping his section Of road in order. The
defendant had employed young lawyer
who made large protentions to eloquence.
When the case was called, the lawyer arose
with great pomp, and directed the Sheriff
to call his client, who Immediately made
his appearance, when the lawyer again
arose and with much gravity asked per-
mission of the Court to confer with his
client. "Here," said tho Court, "is your
client, Mr.. Jarman, talk to him
Upon this, Mr.. Jarman sprang to his
feet, with much excitement, exclaiming in
loud voiee:-"Do / understand this wor-
shipful Court to decide that my client
whose character and that Of his wife and
children and his grand -children--if he
ever marries, aud has children, and they
marry and have children, which no man
Of his personal appearance and affection
ate heart ever failed to do"
At this point, the Court cried out
"Stopl stopl Mr.. Jarmanl GO and con-
suit with your client about his case, or
his getting married, or anything else un-
der the sun, so you spare the Court the
inAiction Of a speech"
Mr.. Jarman Withdrew with his client,
was out about an hour, and on his return,
announced, with dignity, "that jury
might come" and the jury being sworn,
the States Attorney introduced a witness
who proved that where the road crossed
Trace creek, at one of the fords, the banks
were almost, if not entirely, impassable,
90 far as Wagons aud carts were concern
ed-no mention Of carriages, for at that
day, l do not suppose there had ever been
carriage in the county, unless Jersey
Wagon had passed on its way to the South
west. The Attorney General then inform
cd the Court that the State had closed.
MIR. Jarman then called some five OF
six witnesses for the defence but as their
testimony was mostly irrelevant, l shall
only give the examination of one, whom
Mr.. Jsrman thus interrogated:
"Mr. Francis Marion Ballew, we're you
at Corn Husking and Cotton picking
frolic, at Squire BOddy's any time last
Fall, or Winter?"
al was"
"Was Miss Sophia Eudora Steptoe there
on that jubilant occasion p
"She was"
"Mr. Francis Marion Ballsw, was tn,
prosecutor there ?"
"He was" = CO.'S
"Was the defendant likewise present or
that festive occasion ?" ..".
"I don't know that he was there on tn
fetching occasion, but he was at the Corn
shucking."
"Was old Mr., Swa Miller there on tha
memorable night2"
"He was.
(Now, be it known that James Mile
was a celebrated jig player, and took hi
name from favorite jig which he calle
old Swa,)
"Was there any dancing that night?"
"There was"
"With whom did the defendant spol
the fantastic toe, on that occasion ?"
al don't know if his toe was fanitic {
not, but he danced mostly, first with on
and then another"
"Mr. Francis Marion Ballew was thel
any gage, or trial between any two ind
viduals in the saitory arena, that ever
ing"
Here one Of the Magistrates said-"M
Jarman, what have your latin and b
words to do with this here casc2" ia
man was again on his feet, seized boo
made the leaves rattle as he turned the
over, aud thus began ,-"Msy it plea
tthe Worshipful Court when the magi
trats exclaimed talk 10 the Coul