The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-04-04
Gge STORY Geuer.
A LEGAL FACT.
BY FRANK FELTON,.

Court is now met. pursuant to adj djournmcnt,
cried the sheriff, and Judge Melvin took his
scat upon the bench. Immediately hats were
of, seats were assumed. and everything be-
came rs still MS country school-house upon
the entry of the grim cid pcdagogue. The
record Of the proceedings Of the day before
was read by the clerk. Judge Melvin then
called the peoples docket, but none Of the
defendants were ready.
Gentlemen said the Judge, 'thec has
adopted the following rule: Upon the call
ing of the docket, each case, us it is called,
must be disposed Of or continued, before the
calling Of the next case. This rule will 90
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
1t was aloud proclaimed Circuit Court is
adjourned until tomorrow morning, at eight
o'clock
.Well, Beauchamb. raid James Morris, one
Of the members OF the bar in attendance upon
the court, Il 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.'
well, Morris, I'm Obliged to you; but
cannot come tonight, as have two cases to
to try tomorrow, and must post upon on the
law, or ! shall not bo ready for trial when
the cases are called,
'Now, Beauchamb, that is too bad. You
must come. What cases 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 VS.. Smith, and the second is
Horton vs.. Black
That is better than I expected. l AN in
terestcd in both cases. am junior counsel
for Holt vs.. Smith; but heard old Murray
say, this morning, that he would have to con-
tnue it, as one OF our witnesses is ABSENT
In Horton vs.. Black, you are mistaken it
docs not come up till day after tomorrow.
What number is itg
'0ne hundred and tcn,' said Bcauchamb,
turning to his private docket.
Yes, that's right, But I have II on my
docket the first case for the fourth day, and
you have it the last on the third day. But
ono hundred and nine is tho FIRST for the
fourth day.
Arc you certain Of itT
'Just as certain as am that am stand
ing here
well, then, I guess shall bo over there
tonight V
Il hope .. Do there as early US you can.
Iwill.'
So saying, Beauchamb proceeded toward
his Office, while Morris went inth tho hotel.
On his way, Bcauchamb met Murray, who
told him not to bo uneasy about Holt vs..
Smith, as he should continue in the morning.
Beauchamb, thus assured ofMorris's honesty
in one case, felt rcassurcd as to the other,
and thought no more about the matter.
'Now. boys, we're all right now fora good
time. Here the oyster soup; the wine is on
the way. and emphatically say we're bound
for good time. said Morris to his assembled
cronies, prior to Beauchamb's arrival. Now,
boys. wemust get Beauchamb drunk tonight.
| intend to drug whatever he drinks, so as to
keep him out Of the way tomorrow, as q
case in which intend to make three hum
dred dollars, it, win it, will come up to-
morrow. Il will be reached tomorrow morn.
ing, us nearly all the cases before it will be
continued. So you see, il Beauchamb is not
there, under the rule of the day, he will lose
the case.'
well, we'rc all right, said one Of them.
A few moments afterwards, Bcauchamb
entered. They soon demolished the oysters
and other edbles. Morris then passed around
the wine, handing Beauchamb glass
drugged with morphine.
Excuse me, Morris, as am opposed to the
use Of wine; never drink it. But please
to hand me a cup Of coffee, aud I'll endeavor
to be sociable with that
We'll, 50 bo It. I never wish to force a
man to do anything against his will, said
Morris, Us he poured out the coffee.
As soon as Morris had poured it out, he
affected to hear some one at the door, and,
walking to the door, he opened 1t and stepped
out, cup in hand. While there. he poured
some morphine from small paper into the
coffee, and then returning to the room,
handed it to Beauchamb, who unsuspectins.
ly drained the cup, and crs long his head
was upon the table and he iastasleep. They
put him in one Of thcrooms at the hotel, and
left him there.
.liolt vs.. Smith. Are the parties ready
for trial p said Judge Melvin, after motion
hour. next morning.
we are ready, your honor, on the side Of
the plaintiff, said Morris.
Stop, Mr. Morris, you are entirely too
FAST said Murray, the senior counsel. Il
have. your honor, just 6led an affidavit for q
continuance: and, as Mr.. Beauchamb, tho
counsel on the other side, is absent, I would