The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-04-06
A MOUNTAIN COURT SCENE.


A MOUNTAIN COURT SCENE.
! Old Job Dawson had been duly
elected to fill the responsible position
of a Justice of the Peace, and this was
the first case which had demanded his
attention. Job was an old veteran
mountaineer, and had lived in the
shadow Of the lofty peaks, hunting,
trapping and nghtfng fntfinns, to use
his own words "sense Adam war q
kid" In that rough region an accusa-
ton Of a great crime against any one
is but foreruRner of hanging bee,
and a trial even is seldom thought of.
But in the present Instance wild
"cuss" who had been frequenting the
settlements had appropriated a "bron
cho" Indian pony) belonging to a
neig ghboring ranchman, and had been
pursued, captured and brought back.
Old Job was summoned to try the
culprit, and spst in the rocky gulck
near the 'squire's cabin was selected as
the sight of the investigation. A
molly crowd Of hunters, trappers.
miners and raucheros had assembled.
Some were lying on the ground 9TH
ers sitting on the rock, all anxiously
awsiting the 'squire's coming. Job
soon came from towards his cabin, and,
with dignified air, seated himself
upon boulder, took off his bearskin
cap. and said: -ii 1
s'Fellers, the Court ar ready to git
down to biz. an want ye to cheese
yer racket an let up on that chin mu-
sic according to law. Throw yer ha'r
in sight, and pay 'tention to theCourt.'
Everybody's hat came off at his COM
mand, and 'His Honor glancing
around the circle, said: ia
'Whar' the cuss 2"
Three mountaineers armed with
Henry rifles and six shooters stepped
forward with the thief, a young man
wearing a bold, devil may-care ex-
preston. His hands were securely
fastened behind his back with buck
skin thongs. Clad in buckskin from
head to foot, he presented a pictur-
esque appearance as he faced the
Squire.
"What de they call you when yer at
home? {" asked the Court.
"Ain't got emmy home, leastways in
these parts,' sullenly replied the
prisoner.
"Ain't hey? Well, what's the name
you tuck wen you left the States,
then?"
''The boys hyer on the hills call me
Tiger JIM"
"Wall, Tige, yer spotted as hoss
thief, an reckon thar's sumthin' in it
or the boys wudn't a brought you in.
You can't expect q toney trial like
you'd git down to Laramie or in eny
of those towns along the road. We
hevn't eny paper, pens or ink, or eny
O that sort O. foolishness up hyer in
the hill, an thar amt one of US as
could engineer 'em eff we had, so we'll
jist grind her through, and do the best
we kin for you. In the name of the
law now AK you did you collar tibet
hoss-but stop 'er rite thar, doggone
it, l forgot to swar you. Cum mitey
near forgittin' it. Hold un xer-rishi
-f1au-
"IIold up nothin'. How kin when
they'r tied titcr'n blaZes?"
s-Thct's so. Yer k'rect, Tiger, but
CESS any member o. the body1l be,
'cordin' TO law in extreme cases.
Stedey him little, fellers, SOS he kin
hold up his right foot"
'sTige" raised his moccasin-covered
foot while guard on each side held
him in position.
Now, then. amt fly on them al
lawyers afTydavy's, but I'll make her
stout enuT TO hold Mexican mule.
Tiger Jim, do you swar by the holy
Moses, accordin' TO the laws Of Wyom-
ing Territory, thet every time ye chip
inter my racket yell give us the squar'
truth. An ef yer don't, do you hope
that we may git chawed up by a griz-
zly, chopped to pieces by Sioux, strung
up to pine with n rope round yer
thievin' neck, an fail to connect on
heaven wen yer life goes out, to the
best O. yer understanding as proyided
by law, s'hclp yer God, eh 2"
'Thars jist what does, pardy."
SNOW Tige, ye:. under oath, and
every time yer speak yer want ter hit
the bulls eye. Did you nip thet hoss?"
"Wall Uncle Job, there's no use o.
lynn about it an I'll tell you jist how
1t war. Last night you know thar war
a Jamoree over to AL. Wilkins rancho
in Millers gulch an 1 war .her. AL.
had been in to Laramie City and got
keg of good old bulge, and we all got
putty full. Arter the dancin' was over
1 pulled out fur Bowles' rancho, whar
Pm hangin' out an as was staggerin'
down round Mountain Cat Hill runs