The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-12-03
Bob GibbOns's " Blind"
From the Brooklyn Sunday Union. ]


Judge Servis, the Associate Justice of
the First District Territorial Court of
Montana, Is Justly celebrated for his le-
gal learning, and is greatly beloved by
his friends. lie is stern, upright and
honest. But with all his legal attain
ments he is not the greatest man at cards
in the Territory. 1t has been said that
he did not know the jack of hearts from
the ace of diamonds.
In the Radersburg mining camp three
persons were sitting around table in
one of those log-cabin saloons, "with a
billiard table attached" which are so
common in mining camps, playing a
small game of three-hand poker. A
quarrel ensued, which resulted in an ag-
gravated case of assault and battery.
This did not end the affair, for at the
next term of the Court, at the head of
the docket, stood the Territory of Mon
tana v. A. l.. Parks tor an assault and
of Andy Anderson.
The trial came on, and the only wit
ness to the affray was Bob Gibbons who
was the third in the game. Having
been sworn, he was directed to tell the
Court and jury everything he knew about
the affair. After clearing his throat he
commenced by stating that "me and
Parks and Anderson were over at Hal
beck's saloon, the second day after
election, when Parks proposed that we
should have game of poker. All
agreed to it, and we went into the back
room and sat down to the game; did not
know there was any hard feeling between
Parks and Anderson, or would not have
played, but heard afterward---"
Here Bob was interrupted by the
Court, who directed him to keep all
hearsays to himself, and ccnfne himself
strictly TO the facts of the case.
The witness continued: "Well, we sat
down to the table. Anderson sat there,
Parks here, and / there (making dia-
gram on the Clerks table.) Parks dealt
the cards; went blind; Anderson went
blind over me, and Parks would not see
him."
The Judge, who is little deaf, was in
the habit of making an ear-trumpet of
his hand, and throwing his head little
forward and sideways. Having gone
through this pantomime, he interrupted
the witness by asking him:
"What was the reason that Parks did
not see Andersonw
The witness replied: 81 don't know,
but he would not see him."
Proceed" said the Judge.
"Well, l saw him, he saw, and just at
that minute
"Stop, sir" said the Judge, throwing
himself in hearing attitude, "did L
understand you to say that you went
blind?"
Yes, sir, l went blind, and Anderson
he went blind, and Parks would not see
him, but l saw Anderson, and then he
saw"
Witness" exclaimed the Judge, strik-
ing the bench with his clenched fist, ado
l hear you right, sir? Do you say that
you went blind and then you saw?'
"Yes, sir" replied the witness. al
saw Anderson, and Anderson saw, and
just at that"
"Stop, sir" said the Judge. "Mr.
Clerk, fine the witness $50 for contempt
of court, and direct the Sheriff to take
him to Jail, and there to keep him until
he receives further orders from the Court.
Call up the next case, Mr.. Clerk"
Bob Gibbons was dumbfounded, and
did not awake to the reality Of his con-
dition until the Sheriff had his hands on
him, when he exclaimed:
"Good gracious, Mr.. Judge, what have
done, that must 60 to jailT'
The Judge, who was purple with rage,
did not deign to reply to poor Gibbons,
but reiterated the order with increased
and the members of the bar,
who had been anticipating the fix that
Bob would eventually be placed in, were
with laughter, which increased
the rage of the Judge to the highest
pitch. The Prosecuting Attorney en-
deavored to enlighten the Judge, and
eventually succeeded, but not until he
had produced pack of cards, and after
dealing out three hands, made the blind
as clear as day to the Judge.
The fine and imprisonment were re-
mitted, and Gibbons was allowed to pro-
coad with bis toetimonv