The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-11-04
SCENE IN OUR COURT.

We visited our Court this week, where
Justice is dealt out to the transgressors,
and We listened attentively, turning our
eye ever and anon towards the door thro'
which the doomed man must enter.
Court was called to order. ''Sheriff,
bring in the prisoner ~ The Judge
seated himself heavily, called to the at
torneys who were doing, Gentlemen,
ORDER Don insult this Court by sleep
ing A yawn broke the stiffness of the
room and woke ell the attorneys, as one
sang out "H1U give you tenor pitch
st," His honor looked grave as he said,
hardly above whisper, ''This incessant
toll, night and day, is wearing Us out. :"
But all are awake as the prisoner enters
and is seated before the Court. The
offence of which the prisoner is charged
is read to him in q solemn tone. 'Guil-
ty, or not guilty 90 Prisoner at the bar
this is the bar of Justice) mot guilty !"
s'Did you not steal those harnesses,
of which you are charged of doing 2"
'sNo, sir;
sWhat? You must remember that the
whole truth must be told" Dust then
the Judge turns his eye to the corner of
the room, and there sits 200 pounds of
law, asleep. ''Sheriff, wake that man
up; this Court can't be insulted p
Sheriff proceeds. Judge begins ,
ssNo,- ,,,.;eo,,a, xrI,,-
eyes, I'll take plain whisky -
ssSee here, sir, Numbered the Judge,
''do you know where you are ?''
ST beg pardon, your honor but was
thinking of that murder in Cooperstown,
and was reading law all night and got
very tired
eyes, 7 understood you were led home
very tired
",Sile'ace! Now, prisoner, why will
you deny the charge when they were
found in your possession %
s'Well, was drunk -
Here his honor Strengthened up, threw
out his probocis, stroked his beardless
chin and said to himself, st pity him. %
''Now, sir, do you think this second
offence should lesson the first? What
do you suppose the enlightened people
of this city would say, who have placed
me here to deal out justice to all offend
ers, if I were to get drunk? Sir, (and
here he looked puzzled, wondering when
he was drunk last time) you are guilty,
in my opinion, of a very grave crime,
and it, my duty to protect the good cit
liens and see the law carried out. You
have committed two offences-larceny
and drunkenness. (The Judge over
looked the latter, as fine would lessen
the city expenses.) It makes me shud-
der to think man gifted with sense and
reason-with a loving family around you
who perhaps now, in imagination can
seeyou coning-whose praye are night
" said in your behalf, invoking the
blessings of Him who sits on high to
rest upon you. Sir, my heart aches for
you but law must have its course
Think of It You in the dead hour of
0LtSil 1ICiiA telI O1et h1elI1
whose sands of life are nearly run
who is fast nearing the confines of the
other shore
Here His Honor sat down, overcome /;
but calming his feelings, he leaned for
ward, his face between both hands, look
ed the prisoner straight in the eye(t thinks,
says I, old boy you're gone for $1,000
bail, sure) and says
''Sir, in behalf of the good people Of
this State, I demand bail in the sum of
$500 for your appearance at the County
Court, in default of which you must be
remanded to Jail. Sheriff, take the pris.
oner away"
Court adjourned, and all proceeded
down stairs toward the bridge, and turn
ed in to the first building that has green
blinds to the door. I went on, wonder
ing what in time they went in there for,
and concluded it was for acate5,, as they
had none in Court, or fan either, OF
anything else in sight.
Fearing you may not believe this, ]
Will sign my name. G. b. ALRoUND.