The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-05-23
jim BLEERLYS GUNPOWDERP PLOT,

Old Rumsoner was the presiding
Judge of the TOddiesOke circuit, and
the meanest old reprobate that ever
disgraced the bench He rarely went
to bed sober; got up every morning
wrong end foremost, and generally
began the day by some outrageous act
of oppression. He was the terror of
the bar-all but Shad Sharkle, with
whom it was his normal condition to
be several chips" behind at 'poker," F"
which made him on the whole rather
civil to Shad.
One morning cold Rum" opened
court in worse humor than usual. y
bad run of luck" and too much bad
whisky over night, had told more
than commonly on his temper.
The first thing in order was to i'm
panel jury Of bystanders-ther regu-
lar jury, befogged by one of Old Rum 5
incomprehensible charges, being, and
having been for the last 1orty-cight
hours, hung" on a question of title to
a yearling calf, sworn to positively by
six witnesses on one side and half a
dozen on the other
Call a jury, and be quick about i,
Mr.. Bumpkin,' growled the judge. l
held the office of sheriff, and my right
name is Lumpkin, but Old Rum would
persist in miscalling it.
The words were the signal for a
general stampede. To be caught on
one of Old RUNS jurics was generally
considered about equivalent to going
to jail But the judge ordered the
doors to be closed i'll time to bag a
sufficient number.
James Bleerlv," / called out
Jim shook his head, and tipped me a
deprecating wink, which | refused TO
understand.
Take a seat on the jury ~ l voci-
feratCd, with official emphasis.
"Jedge." said jim, stepping forward,
and blandly addressing the court, I'D
be happy to oblege We, but the fact is
it's onpossible."
What do you mean?" roarcd his
honor.
"Ie see," explained jim, cts Pops
washday-her names Polly, but | call
her Pop-and she's sent me to town
arter some blum, and onless I'm back
in time-well, We know, Jedge, how it
is yer5elf."
Fierce as Old Rum was in public, it
was currently reportes that he was
tame enough at hOme-in fact, that
his acquaintance with the proverb of
the gray mare" was something more
than theoretical. AT all events, Jim's
l 1
quite the opposite of soothing effect.
"Take your seat on the jury ~ thun-
dered Old Rum "and if | hear any
more such impertinence, I'll-Ill-"
"All right" said Jim submissively,
starting toward the jury-boX-
Locke here, Sheriff." he whispered
in passing; Jest let me go and look
arter my critter, and I'll be back by
the time you've nabbed t'Other leven.
T'other 'leven were speedily secured;
for Old Rum would listen to no excuse
hot even that of Hans Pretzelpresser,
who solemnly protested that he could
nicht rerstechen English.
'Is the jury full, Mr.. Bumpkin ?''
inquired the Judge, looking up from
his newspaper.
yves, your Honor" / answered
unhesitatingly "only Mr.. Bleerly has
stepped out to see to his horse
"Who gave him permission ~
had to acknowledge that | did.
"And who gave you permission to
give him permission ~
To this rather complex question |
thought it best to make no answer.
Cali the juror at the door ~ below
ed the judge.
The bailiff sent to do so returned
with the report that he had seen Jim
Bleerly leaving town at full gallop,
and in passing the courthouse he gave
a sort of military salute; but, instead
of touching his cap, he had applied
his thumb to the tip of his nose.
Old Rum turned green and purple.
1t was some moments before he could
command utterance. Rage had fairly
taken away his breath.
make out an attachment for con-
tempt against the fugitive ~ he di-
rected the clerk, as soon as he could
speak, his voice quivering with pas
sion.
"And, Bumpkin, he laid marked
EXPRESSION on the B this time-''if you
fail TO have the culprit here before
court adjourns III make an example OF
knew the old sinner well enough
to know he would keep his word, es-