The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-07-22
AFunny Mistake.

4 rich incident occurred a short
time since, in one Of the County
Courts in Vermont, which we con
slider too good to be lost
Many Of the Jury, together with
the Judge and Lawyers, were intend
ing to participate in q celebration Of a
society, Of which they were mem
bers, and were eonsequently-in their
anxiety to close the tcrm-rushing
cases through with all the dispatch
that honor and justice would permit.
At half past twelve o'clock, one
day, an intermissiOn for half al hour
for dinner was granted, with a strict
injunction from the judge that "all
hands" must be back punctually at
one to commence a new case Of lar
eeny.
The dinners, that day, were svaI-
lowed with greater rapidity than
usual, and as the clock struck one,
the officers Of the law rushed into
Court Ike chickens into q meal
trough
While they are eating their din
ners, however, a young man from the
~kentry,p being somewhat anxious
to see the manner in which justice
was meted out walked into the Court
room, and, as be afterwards express
ed himself, took a squint at all the
seats, and seem there wasn't nobody
in the incest one, with a railin' all
around it, thought he'd make sure on
it, afore the fellers got back from
dinner
In FIVE minutes after the crowd en-
tered the room, the Judge raped
the desk with the butt-end of his
jack-knife, and with adignifed rown
cried
"Silence'n the Court" ;"
"Silenee'n the Court" repeated
the broad-saouldered constable. lean
/ ing on the railing in front Of his
honor, and Immediately resumed the
occupation Of picking his teeth with g
pin.
"Silence'n the Court p echoed the
squeaking tone of a small red-headed
constable near the door, and the lat
ter speaker Immediately commenced
elbowing the crowd, right and left
to let them know that he was around
"AH ready p says the Judge.
"All ready y replied the attorney
Command the prisoner to stand
up y says the Judge, "while the in
I dictment is being read -
7 The broad-shouldered constable
now walked up to the prisoners box
during the apparent momentary ab
sence Of the sheriff, placed bis hand;
on the shoulder of the young man
and exclaimed-
"Stand upl"
What fur?" said the assonished
young farmer.
"To hear the charge readr' cx
claimed the constable.
"Wali, guess 1 kin hear what's
1 going on, without standin. as well
as the rest on 'em, was the reply.
Stand up.n roared the Judge, in
a burst Of passion-he had Just bit
his tongue while picking his teeth
young man, stand upl" or the con-
sequences be upon your own head. y
The victim came up on bis feet as
if under the influence Of a galvanic
battery, and looking around the court
room, and noticing that all eyes were
upon him, with an expression about
as afeetionate as that of a rabid
man toward q bowl Of water, be hung
his head in confusion and mortifca-
ton, and was nearly deaf to the
words of the Indictment, but be
heard enough Of the long, complica-
ted. tangled sentences to learn that
he was charged with stealing, or en-
bezzling, or cheating, or pilfering g
some house or somebody, and he
couldn't tell exactly which.
"What does be say to the charge
/ Guilty or not Guilty ?" inquired the
Judge, peeping over his speetaeles,
with look bold enough to freeze a
mans blood-Guilty or not guilty.
The Young man ventured to look
up in hope to fnd sympathizing
eve. but all were cold and unfriendly,
and be again gazed en- the saw-dusted
floor. and trembled with confusion.
Guilty or not guilty 2" again vo-
ciferated the Judge, in tone that
plainly denoted impatience TO pro
ceed with the case
The broad-shouldered constable be
ing rather a humane man, now step
/ ped up to the prisoner, and. explain
ed
"You had better say not guilty,
| Of coursel If you say guilty yog
/ don't stand no chance this term that.
sure, and if you say not guilty arC
wish, at any future state Of the case
to change your plea to guilty yot
can do it, withour any injury to your
self Therefore, l advise you to say
not guilty and stick to it as lon:
as there's any chance ~
4 Jonathan's feelings had been sim
mering some time, but now they fair
ly boiled over and, with a look o
+ innocence but determined resolution
T be swung his arms about bis bead
: and exclaimed
What in all nature are you feller
: tryin' to dew? / hain't been steal
: In nothinfl l hain't sure :"
Just at this moment, the front doc
f opened, and the sheriff with the ger
. uine prisoner, walked into the room
, and proceeded at once to the box.
The Court saw, in a moment, It
j mistake, and tried to choke down it
: effect with a frown-but twas no 60
The crowd burst forth into hoars
; laugh that fairly made the window
s rattle, and the young man left th
room exclaiming, as be passed out
2 the door
e "I knowed all tie time, badn
: stole nothin' ?"
j APersfan story