St. Landry democrat., 1879-06-14

smile upon Ills lace.
A pleasing little episode occurred III
our Parish Court, during this week tc
enliven the dull routine. It is was ono
which proved how highly the members
of the "Little Hatchet Club" are held
in the community for their truth and
veracity. During the trial of a civil
case an officer OF the club was called
upon the stand to testifS as a witness.
AS the deputy clerk {also aaa officer of
the club) was about to administer the
oath to the witness, one Of tue attOr-
neys (aiso an officer Of the club) re-
marked to his honor president of the
club) that he thought it was entirely
unnecessary to administer an oath to
the witness as he belonged to the "i4lttle
Hatci,et." to which his honor gracefully
assented, but the attorney on the other
side, not being member" requested
that the gentleman slionld be sworn,
but was willing that the clerk should
swear him in a very low voice. Later
in the day Gin another case) the chaplain
of the club was called upon the stand
to be sworn and the same remarks having
been made in reference to his being
member" ETC., the lawyer on the OPP
posite side assisted that not only should
sllis reverence take the oath as re-
quired by law, but if possible he should
be made to raise both hands and one
leg, and that the clerk should put the
oath through speaking trumpet, as he
was afraid that nothing less than an
ironclad oath would effect any member
of that ciab. We understand Il meeting
was called Immediately by the grand
mongel of the club, and the lawyer
who had 50 little faith in their yeracity
was elected as an honorary member.
We sincerely hope that after attending
one or two of the meetings, that he too
will know how useless it is to GO through
the form of an cath to make the MEN,
5ers speak the truth.
On Monday morning there occurred
case of accidental shooting, which has
cast a gloom over OUR community, and
brought sorrow and distress in more
than one household in our parish, On |
Sunday evening Mr.. James Clinton
Richard, young merchant residing on
the Atchafalaya, arrived in our town on
his way to visit his mother, whom he
had not seen for two years, living In |
Plaquemine Brulfe, and stopped all |
night with c. L. Hayes. Esq, his cousin.
He slept that night with Mr.. Joseph
Hayes, a young brother of Mr.. G. L,
Hayes. On rising in the morning the
two young men Mr.. Richard and JOS.
Hayes began examining their two pocket
pistols. One Of the pistols was self
cocker, and supposing the same to be
unloaded, both the young men snapped
the same several times. While Mr..
Joseph Hayes was swapping it, the same
being pointed towards Mr.. Richard, the
pistol fired and the ball pierced the
fleart OF Mr.. Richard. He expired al
most instantaneously. Neither of the
young men were aware of the pistol
being loaded, Mr.. Hayes, who owned
the pistol, having, as he supposed, fired
Off all the barrels on the evening before.
Mr.. Richard is a nephew of AIessrs.
Abram and Mansel Rit.--ard ON the At
chafalaya, and has been associated with
or employed by his uncle Mr.. Abram
hichard in the mercantile business for {
several years. There are bnt few young
men Of our parish whose life has been |
passed SO pure and spotless, whose in {
anstry, perseverance and honesty has
gained for him 50 many warm friends !
and admirers. His life has been with
out blenaish, and his loss to the commu- s
nifty IN which he lived will long be felt. ,
we have known him intimately for .
seseraf Years and knew naught but what {
was good, noble and pure. He was
followed to his last resting place ON il
tuesday by q large number Of friends I
and sorrowing relatives.
benefit your friends, that they NAV
lOTG You still more tlaarry. b,.,rGt .,a |