Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-09-15
A Strange Scene in a Court Of Justice.

Many of us remember the story told by
Professor Wilson, in his own tender and vivid
way. of the two hostile Highland brothers,
William and Stephen, reconciled st their
fathers grave. In city NO farther from
home than Bridgeport, Connecticut, recent
trial for assault aud battery was made memor-
able by an incident almost equally worthy of
Wilson's pen, aud We wish We could cit
described as he would describe it. Two
brothers, named Adams, residents of Wests
port, who had lived on bad terms with each
other for several years, finally come Co blows.
Both made complaint before trial Justice,
and both were convicted of breach Of the
peace. Dissatisfied with this, they appealed,
and at the session of the Supreme Court the
jury failed TO agree in the case of one, but
found the other guilty.
Judge Foster grieved, as . man, at the
spectacle of two warning brothers, aud hu-
namely anxious to stop further litigation in
the future between them, called the men be-
fore him, and talked to them in q strain of
serious but kind reproof. he briefly review.
ed their difficulty, and showed the absurdity,
of their quarrel, and then appealed to their
self-respect. their relationship, and their
sense of moral responsibility, to let this un-
natural enmity go on no longer.
IN, you claim You have always used your
brother we'll 7" questioned the judge.
eyes, sir"
"And he has always abused yOuH"
Eyes, sir"
"B, you claim that sOa have always used
your brother well ?"
Eyes, SIR"
"And he has always abused youH"
Eyes, sir"
'See," continued the judge, "you are both
to blame, and no jury can decide which Of
you is the worse"
Then he warned them solemnly. and even
tenderly, of the folly of doing as they had
done, and charged them, by oil they held
sacred, never to go to ldW on any difference
again. He pointed to them the beauty of
harmony and peace, and urged them. then
and there, to pledge friendship and brOtherIy
kindness for all coming time.
Gravely as if reading printed covenant,
he pronounced the words:
You, NJ. Adams, do promise on your part
that you will be friends in future with your
brother 2"
al will, said NJ, earnestly.
''You, B. Adams, do promise on your part
that you will be friends in future with: your
brother 7"
81 will," said b., with equal earuestness.
"Then shake hands !" said the judge and
as the softeDed brothers grasped each others
hands. the spectators and members Of the bar,
already thrilled by the words they bad heard,
felt their eyes moisten and their hearts swell,
Judge Foster himself vas deeply affected
when the offenders both audibly invoked Gods
blessing on their reconciliation, and, his voice
trembled as he said to the -conyicted one,
Then impose on you the lightest sentence
of the law, a fine Of one dollar, And.I dis
charge your bond"
It is not TO much to say that, Of all present.
at that remarkable scene. none went away who
were not better for having Witnessed Il.
SWEARING - oowper writes sons. lines
which it would be worth while for. eyetys
one to learn :. -,l 8 Il C.lss2S.. ~ s.
ut ciills nv blood TO hear fte biest Supreme
kudelv appealed TO on each uffinR theme,
Maintain yqnr raph yul lga,7fy despise-
TO swear ls ntlther, polite nor wise
loa wouid not swear npen bedsoi deaths
Reject Your Max or mas now stop your BREATH
Some who would moi swear BY the name
of God think nothing Of swearing BY
George, or BY jineo.' or by someihine
else Others often cry out Good gracious
or Mercy on me, and the like I11so
are the beginnings Of sweering They ti
to profape s3eariRg, what acorna nro 70 n
oak. 80 ~