Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-04-26
NASHVILLE ABROAD.
a Rieh Thing On a. Couple OF Ink
singers from the city OF Rocks
John Happy I'm a HeW Role.

A Rich Thing on ~ Couple OF Ink
singers from the city OF Rocks
John Happy I'm a New Role.
The Louisville Courier of yesterday has
the following, which il facetioHsly styles
"a rich joke on two rural editors :"
A couple of distinguished members of
the Nashville press, who are on a brief
visit TO our city, took stroll around town
yesterday, and in their perambulations
came across the Police Court while il was
in session. One Of them remarked it was
a very antique structure, and, supposing it
to be a church, they concluded to 60 in and
witness the devotions. They were met at
the door by a policeman, who informed
the Bohemians that they were entering the
City Court, where justice was dispensed
with a lavish hand. Being curious to see
the proceedings, they both walked in, one
smoking finely-colored meerschaum pipe
and the other cigar. 1t is proper to state
that the custom Of smoking in the Nash
Vile Police Court is peculiar to Judges,
LAWYERS, reporters and spectators. Our I'M
suspecting friends, therefore, were putting
away quite complacently as they leaned
over the railing to hear what was going
on. In very few minutes the argus-eyed
Marshal Of the court stepped up TO our
portly and good-looking friend p aud
beckoned him to come inside. Surprising
that he only wanted to take MIN out Of the
greasy crowd of "bummers" TO give him
a seat among the attorneys, he went
through the gate, when the venerable
Marshal took him by the arm and walked
around the long table to the reporters stand,
Mr.. p. all the while bowling and thanking
him kindly for the mark of distinction
conferred upon him. When they got to
the inside of the bar, the officer gravely
told him to take seat on that bench"
Mr.. P. at frat felt somewhat embarrassed
in being placed in 30 conspicuous a place,
but upon looking to his right, and observ
ing a ragged negro sitting on the other end
of the bench, his pride all turned to indig-
niton He WAS about to get up and leave,
when the Marshal, ia stentorian voice,
commanded him to keep his seat, that they
were not through with him yet.
His companion a. H /" who had not
been favored with reserved seat,
fell somewhat sighted, but nevertheless
thought he would wait until Mr. P. re-
turned to the "pit"
His suspense, however, was but of short
duration. The court in her majestic style
wiped her spectacles, and after adjusting
them on the lower end of her nose took a
survey Of Mr.. P over the top of them.
His Honor then run his eagle eye over the
docket, and turning to the Marshal, asked
what was the charge against the prisoner.
Contempt of court, your Honor-smoking
a pipe in the courtroom" was the reply
Of that august dignitary. With fierce
scowl, the outraged majesty Of the law ex-
claimed, "Let him be fined FIVE dollars"
When Mr.. P. discovered the awkward
dilemma in which he was placed, he at
once asked permission to make an expla-
nation, but the court overruled his de-
murrer. Mr. Reason, observing that there
was no intention on the part of the accused
to treat the court with contempt, interposed
in his behalf, but his Honor was memorable
until Gen. Humphrey Marshal rose and
explained that it was common custom il
some Police Courts TO smoke during Their
session, and the gentleman was no doub
in total ignorance of the rules of this court
! His Honor, after this eye-opener, re
mitted Mr.. Pc fine.
To return to our other friend -. II. >
who stood trembling in dismay at the fate
of his friend, and his own perilous situa
ton, stuck his cigar under the ample fold
OF his coat tail Regarding it in the ligh
OF good Joke after its happy termination
| he had quite forgotten about the cigar.
he thought Of the rhyme
On that FIVE dollar fne
And how he had best get it in,
But, horrors
lie felt a great heat
Near his trOwsers seat,
The cigar had burnt to the skin.
lie rushed frantically out of the cour
room, and was soon after joined by Mr.. r.
who ventured to suggest that it was devil
ish awkward to get along in those burned
| civilized communities.