The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-08-15

the way for the grand jury, announc-
ed the entrance OF that body. HE
usual forms were observed, when the
foreman handed up 10 the bench two
bills, on both of which the Judge oh
served, at the first glance Of his eve,
the name Of Nathaniel Bumppo. II
was a leisure moment with the court (;
some low whispering passed between
the bench and the Sheriff, who gave a
signal to the officers, and IN n very
few minutes the silence that prevailed
there was interrupted by a general
movement in the outer crowd when
presently the Misunderstanding made
his appearance, ushercd into the Grim
inars bar under the custody Of two
constables. The hum ceased, the peo-
pie closed into the open space again,
and the silence soon became so deep,
that the hard breathing of the prisoner
was audible.
"Mr. District Attorney" said the
Judge, "the prisoner is ready; we
wait for the Indictment
The duties of the public prosecutor
were discharged by Dirck Van der
School, who adjusted his spectacles,
cast a cautious look around him at his
brethren of the bar, when he proceeded
to read the bill aloud. 1t was the us
ual charge for an assault and battery
on the person of Hiram Doolittlc.
When he had done, Mr.. Van der
School handed the bill over to Mr..
Lippet, with cavalier air, that said
as much as "pick q hole in that if you
can"
"You have heard the presentment
that the grand jury have made, Ma
thanel Bumppo," said the Judge ;
"what do you plead to the charge"
The old man dropped his head for a
moment in renccling attitude, and
then raising it, he laughed again before
he answered.
THAT | handled the man q little
rough or 50, is not to be denied; but
that there was occasion to make use
of all them things that the gentleman
has spoken of, is downright untrue. l
am not much Of wrestler, seeing that
Pm getting old; but l was out among
the Scotch-Irishers."
"Mr. Lippet, if you are retained
for the prisoner" interrupted Judge
Temple, "instruct your client how to
plead if not, the court shall assign
him counsel"
Aroused from studying the indict-
ment by this appeal, the attorny got up,
and after short dialogue with the
hunter in a low voice, he informed the
court that they were ready to pro-
coed.
"Do you plead guilty or not guilty.
said the Judge.
81 may say not guilty with a clean
conscience" returned Natty; ''for
there's no guilt in doing what's right ;
and I'd rather died on the spot, than
had him put foot in the hut at that
Richard started at this declaration,
and bent his eyes significantly on Hi
ram, who returned the look with n
slight movement Of his eyebrows
alone.
proceed to open the cause, Mr..
District Attorney" continued the
Judge. ''Mr. Clerk, enter the plea of
not guilty"
After a short opening address from
Mr.. Van der School, Hiram was sum-
moned to the bar to give his testimo-
ny. 1t was delivered to the letter,
perhaps, but with all that moral color
ing which can be conveyed under such
expressions as, thinking no harm"
feeling it my bounded duty as mag
istrate," and "seeing that the con-
stable was BACKYARD in the business"
When he had done, and the District
Attorney declined putting any further
interrogatories, Mr.. Lippet arose, with
an air of keen investigation, and ask
ed tho following question
care you a constable of this coun-
ty, sir?"
"No, sir" said Hiram, 'I'm only .
justice peace"
II ask you, Mr.. Doolittle, in the
face of this court, putting it to youl
conscience and your knowledge of tho
law, whether you had any right to en-
ter that mans dwelling%
"Hem !' said Hiram, undergoing {
violent struggle between his desire fol
vengeance and his love for legal fame
81 do suppose - that in - that is =
strict Law that supposing - maybe
l hadn't a real-lawful right but az
the case was-and Billy was so back
ard might come for'ard in the bus
mess"
"Now, sir, ! ask you if Nathanie
Bumppo did not again and again orde
you not to enter?
"There was some words passed be
tween U.S." said Hiram, "but l reat
the warrant to him aloud"
g Witness, said Judge Temple
"answer the question directly (; did o
did not the prisoner forbid your enter
ing his huff"
"Why, / some think
"Answer without equivocation, ICON
tinued the Judge, sternly.
''He did,"
"And did you attempt to enter al
ther this order"
II did; but the warrant was in m.
hand"
Proceed, Mr.. Lippet, with your ex
/ : Il u