The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-10-01
NUMBER Sc.
o YEZg o TEZ!

All who have had the privilege of being
drawn on jury must be familiar with
this quaint old Norman French expression,
used by the sheriff or his representative,
when opening court. But few have ever
been lucky enough to listen to such an ex-
ordium as came upon the astonished ears of
the Mansfelds and O'Conors of Musking
um, from the lips of the compatriot of Bis
marck, as thuswise
HE OPENED COURT.
VIM. Ruth is Sheriff of Muskingum
county, Ohio. He is also of the Teut"nic
persuasion. When he was elected three
years ago he was in blssful ignorance of
bis duties, and was greatly troubled about
the proper way of opening court. He con-
fided his troubles to Congressman South
ard and several other young members of
the bar, and they coached him in his du-
ties, giving him to understand that he was
higher official than the court itself, and
that Judge Frazier, of the Common Pleas,
was in the habit of interfering with the
sheriff in a manner that no well regulated
sheriff ought to tolerate. ''Py shimminy
is dot sc? ?' said the functionary. "Vell
yust wait till l opens the gort und he find
that Bill Root ish not Pense Lloyd by a
chug full" When court came on Sheriff
Ruth verified his prediction. For weeks
he had been practicing on his opening
speech, and when Judge Frazier turned re
him with a look of judicial dignity and
said, "Mc. Sheriff, open the court" Mr..
Ruth struck an attitude and began go
yesh, hear We eferpoddy und de peebles i'm
sheneral, that the honorable Gort of Com
mon Sessions, in un for 6e honorable pod
dy of Mooskingum county, ish now i'm pleas.
und dot its doors are open for to hear the
rvnp ,f,lo i,,tc all h<ax
mon und take gognizance OF all mishde-
meanors und-" ''Hold on there Hold
on, MIR. Sheriff. What is the meaning of all
this rigmarole ?'' exclaimed Judge Frazier.
''Sbust bold a leedle on. Mr.. Shudge." re-
turned the sheriff. ''I'm Bill Root, the
sheriff of this county, und | know nv
pishness, und all you who. ..haf any pishness
to transact NIT dis gort und ony causes TO
present for its honorable consideration will
now approach und dat same known, und
und may Gott Almighty haf mercy on your
sonls, und all of you off NIT your hats right
away quick - By the time the sheriff con-
cluded even Judge Frazier was roaring
with laughter. 1t took the constables half
an hour to restore order. The first case
was called, and the Judge said ssMr.
Sheriff, call Peter Jones, John Smith. and
Sarah White three times at the door, Ad-
vancing TO the door aud opening it about
three inches, pitching his voice to the
highest key, ne began s'Peter Shones,
Shon Smit, Sara Vite, Shon Shones, Peter
Smitt, Sarah Fite, Sarah Shones, Shon
Smitt, Peter Vite, gone right into court
init you dree dimes. Your Honor, they
gooms now" Judge Frazier-''That will
never do. Call them three times, one at a
time" Sheriff Ruth.-"Peter Sbones.
Shon Smitt, Sarah Vite, dree dimes, Won at
dime. gone into COURT mitout any delay. -
| Judge Frazier-"That's worse than it was
before. Call one of them three times. >,
Sheriff Ruth.-'Mr. Shudge, yust look a
! here. Dot is When you make foolish NIT
me. You say TO gall dem dree dimes vonce,
und den you say gall dem vonce dree dimes;
und den you say dot ish worsh und worsh'
Oof you want Peter Shoues, und Shon
Smitt, und Sarah Vite, vonce dree dimes
or dree dimes vonce, You peter gall dem
yourself. | not stand dot kind of foolish
ness" Sheriff Ruth.retired to Fred Dit
mer's and refreshed himself with supdry
glasses of lager, while the constable called
I the witnesses.