The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-20
A Legal Fact.
By FRANK FELTON,.

court is now met, pursuant to adjournment,
cried the sheriff, and Judge Melvin took his
seat upon the bench. Immediately hats
were off, seats were assumed, and everything
became as still as country school house up,
on the entry of the grim old pedagogue.-
=, The record of the proceedings of the day be-
fore was read by the clerk. Judge Melvin
signed his name, and then motion-hour be
gan, proceeded, and ended at the expiration
of one hour. Judge Melvin then called the
peoples docket, but none of the defendants
were ready.
| Gentlemen, said the judge, the court has
adopted the following rule: Upon the call
ing Of the docket, each case, as it is called,
must be disposed of or continued, before the
calling of the next case. This rule will 60
into operation tomorrow morning.
The business of the court then proceeded
in the usual manner, interrupted only by the
adjournment for dinner, until by the sheriff
it was aloud proclaimed: Circuit court is
now adjourned until tomorrow morning,
eight o'clock
We'll, Beauchamb, said James Morris, one
of the members of the bar ir attendance up
on the court, | want you to come over to the
hotel tonight, and We will have an oyster
supper. Beaumont, Joe, and several other
young lawyers will be there, and We can have
good time
We'll Morris, I'm obliged to YOU; but |
cannot come tonight, as have two cases to
try tomorrow, and must post up on the law,
OF shall not be ready for trial when the
cases are called
Now, Beauchamb, tha: is too bad
You mus; come. What causes are they
Am interested IN them
You are for the plaintiff in one of them.
and Murray is for the plaintiff in the other.
The first is Holt V. Smith, the second is
Horton v Black
That is better than expected. l am in
terested in both cases. am junior counsel
for Holt v.Smith; but heard old Murray
say this morning that We would have to con-
tinue it, as one of our witnesses is absent
And in Horton V. Black, you are mistake n.
it does not come up till day after tomorrow.
What number is it y
'One hundred and ten said Beauchamb.
turning to his private docket.
Yes that's right But have it on my
docket the first case for the fourth day, and
you have it the last on the third day. But
one hundred and nine is the last case for
the third day, and one hundred and ten is
the first for the fourth day
Are you certain of it y
Just as certain as | am tnatI am standing
here
We'll, then. l guess l shall be over to-
night
1 hope so. Be there as early as you can.
4 will
SO saving, Beauchamb proceeded on tow
ard his office, while Morris went into the no.
tel. On his way, Beauchamb met Murray
who told him not to be uneasy about Holt V.
Smith, as he should continue it in the morn
ing. Beauchamb thus assured of Morris
honesty in one case, fel, treasured as to the
other, and thought no more about the mat
ter.
Now boys. We're all right now for a
good time Here's the oyster soup, the wine
is on the way, and say emphatically. we're
bound for good time said Morris to his
assembled cronies prior to Beauehambs ar
rival. Now boys We must get Beauchamb
drunk tonight. intend to drug whatever
he drinks, so as to keep him out of the way
tomorrow, as case in which | intend to
make three hundred dollars if | win it, will
come up tomorrow earlier than he expects.
1t is set the last case for tomorrow, but it
will be reached tomorrow morning, as near
ly all the cases before it will be continued
So you see, if Beauchamb is not there, under
the rule of to-day, he will lose the case
We'll, we're all right said one of them,
and a few moments atterward Beauchamb
entered. They soon demolished the oysters
and other edibles. Morris then passed
around the wine, handing Beauchamb glass
drugged with morphine.
Excuse me, Morris, as l am opposed to
the use of wine. | never drink ii. But
please to hand ME cup OF coffee, and III
endevor to be soeiable with that
We'll, so be it. never wish to force a
man to do anything against his WILL said
Morris, as he poured out the coffee. As
soon as he had poured it out, he affected to
hear some one at the door, and walking TO
the door, he opened it and stepped out, cup
in hand. While there, he poured some
morphine from a small paper into the coffee,
and then returning to the room. handed it to
Beauchamb, who unsuspectingly drained the
cup, and ere long his head was upon the Ia
bic fast asleep. They put him to bed in one
Of the rooms at the hotel, and left him.
'Holt V. Smith: are the parties ready for
trial. said Judge Melvin after motion-hour
next morning.
we are ready, your honor, on the side OF
the plaintiff said Morris.