Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-29
ONE HALF GUILTY.

"A fellow named Donks was lately tried at
Yuba, California, for entering miners tent
and stealing bag of gold-dust valued at
eghty-four dollars. The testimony showed
that he: had once been employed there, and
knew exactly where the owner kept his dust
that on the night specified he cut slit in
the tent, reached in, took the bag, and then
ran off. Jim Butler, the principal witness,
testified that he say the cut, saw the man
reach in, and heard him run away. ~"
81 rushed after him at once," continued the
witness but when I catched him I didn't
find Bills bag; but it was found afterward
where he had throwed it."
elbow far did he get in when he took the
dust" enquired the counsel.
"Well, be was stoopin' over, half way in, l
should say" replied the witness.
"May it please your honor" interposed the
counsel, the indictment isn't sustained, and |
shall demand all acquittal on the direction of
the court The prisoner is on trial for enter
ing dwelling in the night time with intent
to steal. The testimony is clear that he made
an opening through which he protruded him
self about half way, and stretching out his
arms, committed the theft. But the indict-
ment charges that he actually entered the tent
or dwelling. Now, your honor, can a man
enter house when one half Of his body is in,
and the other half out?"
~ shall leave the whole matter to the jury.
They must judge of the law and the fact as
proved" replied the Judge.
0, The Jury brought in verdict of "Guilty
as to half of his body, and not guilty as to
the other half"
The judge sentenced the guilty part to two
years imprisonment, leaving it to the prisoners
option to have the innocent part cut of, or
take it along with him.
s1- A presiding elder of the United Breth-
rem Church, while preaching, was much an
noyed by persons talking and laughing. He
paused, looked at the disturbers, and said:
II am, always afraid to reprove those who
misbehave in church. In the early part of
my ministry I made great mistake. AS l
was preaching, a young man who sat just be-
fore me was constantly laughing, talking and
making uncouth grimaces. paused and ad-
ministered severe rebuke After the close
oftheservice one the official members came
and said to me- Brother you made a
great mistake. That young man whom you
reproved is an idiot Since then I have al
ways been afraid to reprove those who misbe-
have in church lest should repeat that mis-
take" During the rest of that service, at
least, there was good order.
s@A traveller coming up from the Central
Depot the other day stopped for moment to
examine coat hanging in front of clothing
store. The proprietor rushed out and asked,
"Wouldn't you try on some coats ?" IL dun
no but what I would" responded the traveller,
consulting his time-keeper, and he went in
and began work. No matter how often he
found his fit he called for more coats, and
after he had tried on about thirty, he looked
at his watch, again resumed his own garment,
and walked of, saying, 81 won't charge
cent for what I've done; hang man that
won't oblige another when he can do it! If
I'm ever around this way agin, and you've
got any more coats to try on, III DO all can
to help you."-Detro,t Free Press.
sas" An old sailor, nicknamed "Salt,' hav-
ing been on three days bender in New YORK,
strolled into an intelligence Office and asked:
"Is this an intelligence ofice?' "Yes," re-
piled the keeper. What's your fee| in
quired "Salt;" and upon being informed,
threw down dollar "Well," asked the pro-
prietor, "what do you want" 81 want you
to tell me where the ID I've been for the
last three days."
s@ A passenger on an Ohio railroad, arous-
ed from serene slumber by the footing Of a
whistle, exclaimed petulantly-"Ihere the
train has caught up with those cattle again"