Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1874-08-06
A AJUpICIAL BLUNDER.

had been employed to defend {
seedy old doctor, somewhat given tC
drink. His name happened to be
John Wilson. He was charged with
fraudulently disposing Of his property
with intent to defraud his creditors
Il misdemeanor punishable by fine
and imprisonment. We had been
through q thorough examination OF
all the facts before a committing mag
istrate and Wilson was committed
to jail to await the action Of the
Grand Jury, then in session. with an
ugly case against him on the testimo-
ny. OF course he was indicted. The
Judges had taken their places in sol
emn gravity for the dispatch OF crlmi,
nal business.
The district attorney, ore Of those
brilliant gcniuses who could play loo
or poker all night, with 4 reasonable
modicum Of "old rye to assist, and
come into court fresh the next NOR
ming, was at side table, with his
back to the bar, and hurriedly ma
king up his lost time III filing up sub
pUnas for Witnesses. An informal
list or docket Of the criminal cases to
be tried, made on 4 loose sheet, had
been handed up to the court, which
his Honor, With sp ctac.es OF nose,
appeared to be intondy studying,
Suddenly was appalled, to hear from
the venerable Judge:
"John Wilson, stand up
The doctor straightcued up as stiff
as post, while / sat wondering what
was to come next, as the Judge went
on as follows:
John Wilson, YOU have been in
dicted by jury Of your own country
men for a high olensc, but the court
is gratiiied TO hear OF your repent
ance, and that YOU save your coun-
try the expense Of pleading guilty.
"Yom case and that Of your suffer
ing family have been represented to
the court, and we have, on confer
euce decided to deal leniently with
YOU. But the court almonishcs you
hereafter better to regard the laws OF
meCn and tucm, and il you ever
come before his couItagaiu, you will
inevitably be used up! TIE court
orders YOU to pay 4 fine Of five dollars
land 10 stand committed until paid. -
Before this eloquent speech vas
concluded. Lod taken in the situa
ton. | considered the doctors case
desperate. had I'll his money, and
enough 10 cover a moderate fee Il
things went in those days, for de.
Tending him. Quick as thought l
slipped five dollar bill into his hand.
wi h tie words:
Pay your fine and cut"
He waved bis hand gracefully to
the sheriff with the bill, bowed his
thanks 10 the court, and was out OF
.hc door in the twinkle ofm eve.
siloret reigIod for nearly ten min
utey. when the Judge called upon tic
prosecutor. Tumbljng q bundle OF
| rapsrs in haste, he said:
II move or The trial Of John VII
son first, your honor
John Wilson, exclaimed the
Iiulce; eve have sentenced him. Is
| that TIE caso%
$40, your honor; that's John Wat
son. next on the docket
"Dut where is John Wilson? p look
ing hard ut NE
4 presume he has availcd himsel
Of the lenioucy Of the court, and j:
looking for parts unknown" Ireplied
With this eclajrcisseacat, peals ot
laughter ran thrnyeh tine ancient tenn
pl Of justice, and then came rusi
of uon.t bles and audience down the
stairs into the street, after the fio|l
bird. The main stree. Of the village
was in view for half q mile, and be
yond was an cminence Of deure wood
Eat the further end could be seen my
|quondam client, making the tales
s5rt of 80 tracks for the woods, hi.
G ,at tail streaming behind in the wind