The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-07-24

BY sYLYANUsr URBAN THE YOUNGER
|. lC lH ----
What it was that took me into tht
| court room OF +, whether un-
pleasant business or ignoble curiosity
need not be known to You, dear read.
er. The only fact I wish yoR to un-
derstand is that i was there, and that
while Lhere it became my fortune to
meet once againiwith my old aequaint-
ance, Peter Mulroeney. 0 -aifisasH s.
When 1 entered the scourt-room
there was quite a mixture of oval
Irish and round German faces outside
of the iron railing which forms the
barrier to eneroachments upon the
dignity of the bar; and judging from
the broken heads and blackened ewes
exhibited by many of the spectators,
it was not difficult to surmise that the
occasion which had brought them to-
gether was to obtain the plaster of
the law for wounds which had been
lately received in one of those spirited
rows which warm up so delightfully."-
the old Celtic heart. nIa osf q leLi
But let me describe the scene.-
Within the railing, and running from
it at right angles were, some seven OF
eight benches crowded with quite a
respectable number of witnesses, con-
sisting of a delicate sprinkling of all
nations. Parallel to the benches, but
on the opposite side of the court
room, and on elevated seats, sat the
terrible jury. The center was occu-.
pied by fair mahogany table covered
with green cloth, around which were
seated quite a number of daintily
dressed gentlemen who styled them
selves Attorneys -at-Law. Seated in
the center and rear on an elevated
platform dominating the humber
desk of the clerk were a couple of
grave elderly gentlemen with keen
eyes and placid faces, whose post of
Lonor indicated the judicial nature of
their functions. aaa -sl..aa fti.
The case which was already up for
hearing, was, as expected, one of as
sault and battery. The facts as they
were elicted appear to have been
these: The Irish, who were the de-
PENDANTS, had, some short time previ-
Gus, been invited to wake one Mrs.
McShane, at a short distance in the
country, while on the same evening
the Germans had been out dancing at
one of their customary festival balls.
These two parties, returning home
wards somewhere in the small hours,
met and meeting fought; but who
began the affray, seemed as difficult of
discovery as the philosophers stone.
Justoas / entered the counsel for the
defence was in the act of fIexamining
slip of paper. Presently he said to
the clerk :HfH 5Bsf ltfnfi ehl i+slzi
"Call Peter MulroOney, if you
please" ---ss-
"What do yous expect to prove by
him? said the attorney for the pros
"a good deal that may take you BY '
surprise, responded the other with a
smile.liL9I aid Ci Aoisyl4k5 33ft q
';Ahs [ dare say,Y said the prosecut-
ing attorney, whom we shall call Mr..
Bibulous. 81 dare say these Irish
hang together" s 4 '-
sSpeak your sentiments more plain i
Iy," said the other with laugh per
haps you would rather they should
hang together"
ri don't know" said BibuIous, who
being of opposite politics to the Irish
party of T regarded them with /
no little aversion.
"Peter MuIrooney," cried the clerk.
"Peter Mulrooney," exclaimed the
cryer.
There was no answer beyond
quick shuffling of feet and an eager |
whispering, in which touch of the |
brogue predominated.
"Si-le1cew shouted the cryer. And /
then he called out again at the top of |
his voice "Peter Mul-rooney y
"Whist! We Omadounl" said Peter,
who had all this time been standing
quietly by the side of the other
i'Sure, as I'm not little gossoon lost |
in a crowd, there is no made to below I
after me like great ball calf"
"Why didn't yon answer then ?"
said the crYer surlily.
'tArrah, betther manners to vel"
retorted Peter. "Would | be afther
disturbin' their honors in that dirthy I
way an gentleman of shtandin'
an tacher of the dacencies ?"
"You swear, Mr.. Mulrooney," said /
the clerk, offering the hoax.
''Do ye take me for allaythen ?"-
said Peter Indignantly. "Surely it's
not respectful to swear in a coort Of |
Justice"
"But you must swear" said the clerk
"Did yer honors iver hear the likes I
o. that ?" said Peter, appealing to1the
bench. GA Christian man, an a da-
cent looking man, too, barrin' he's lost I
his crop o. hair intirely, and put on a
sthrange lookin' thatch, (the clerk
wore a wig) to make me bnr-g r-glarious-
ly an fee-loniously swear before the
face of yer honors an the gintlemen I
of the jury and the gintlemen of the
bar. Oh! but the vartue in me won't I
let me do that same"
"Mulrooney," said one of the judges
to repress the quivering about
muscles of his lips-his associate was
stufEing Yhite handkerchief into his
Mulroopy, you must be t
aware that it is always necessary for a
witness to take an oath before he can |
be permitted to give evidence at the
bar"
"Sure, sir,I know" said Peter in
nocently.
"That is what the clerk requires of
you," continued the judge, who added |
with faint attempt at gravity, "YOu
will also recOllect that it is our dutvl