The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-03-26

AMUSING SCENE IN A POLICE COURT&A
BEAR BROUGHT BEFORE A MAGIsrRATR.-
The usual decorum which prevails in Essex
Market Police Court received q rude shock
yesterday morning. Business bad been pro-
gressing with the greatest good order, aud the
returns of the various precincts had well nigh
been exhausted when an unusual sensation
was noticed outside the court house aud the
street and lobby became crowded with grin.
ming gamins and open-mouthed loungeFs In
a few moments the wonder was solved aa a
procession, consisting of officer Reilly, Nr.
John w. Hudson, Joseph Longalmet, y hhaa
bear, and Mr.. Charles s. Spencer filed thropph
the packed doorway and made its way toward
the desk. Every seat in the room was soon
filled and th5 passageways were also filed up
with those anxious to inspect poor Bruiu.
In few minutes Sustice Mansfield took his
way through the crowd. Mr.. Hudson, who Is
an agent of the Society for the prevention cg
Crnelt to Animals, stepped in front OF the
desk. fv
!" Who makes the charge here?' said Justice
Mansfield.
81 do, your Honor" said Mr.. Hudson.
Justice."Who's the defendant, the man or
the bear?' t.e-s.l d EtIT - n
Mr.. Hudson-'I charge the man with crual.
ty, in having ring inserted in the bears nose
along"
A voice-"Oh, Hudson, bear and for-bear.
Mr.. Spencer here inIeIfered, and stated that
ho aPpOahcu OE the uan ana cla1meQ tnaL DO
cruelty was being practiced in having the ring
placed in the cartilaginous portion OF the ant
mails nose
The bear at this point seemed to have COZ
some sort Of an inkling as to what was goipg
on, and scorning the services Of Mr.. Spencer,
made up it's mind to defend the case itself. Il
sat down on it's hind legs, in front of the desk,
and placing its forepaws upon the rail, looked
straight at the Justice, opening its mouth az II
anxious to say something.
Mr.. Schlass, the interpreter Of the court. al
ways on the lookout to assist the magistrate,
moved to the side of Bruin and anxiously
waited for him to say something which be
might translate into good English. The CRU nt
which came from his halfopen mouth was the
much for Schoss, and giving up the lob he
turned to the master. Mr.. Spencer asked for
the dismissal of tie case. He begged to draw
the attention of the magistrate to the fact that
the bear was a Russian subject and that any
punishment inflicted upon him might lead to
complications with the governments Of that
country. He even limited that any such ac-
ton might lead TO the forfeiture of Alaska.
The Justice said he must hold the man for
the sessions. The bear bowed. Mr.. Spencer
said the animal loved its master. The bear
licked his hand. The Justice said $500 bail
Poor Bruin tried to soften his heart by going
through an impromptu performance. Stern
Justice had, however, to be satisfied, and ths
bail was given, the procession lett the court,
the crowd dispersed and the fun was at an
end.
1t was suggested to Justice Mansfield that
he should commit both man aud bear, both to
be placed in one cell, the muzze-o of the bear to
be removed, and then they might fight ths
matter out between them. The Justice Of
course, could not allow any such brewing Of
mischief.-N Y. Herald 23d