The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-05-06
JUDGE BOGAN,
His Manner at the Bar and on the
Bench.
BY WILL ARP.

When,J dge Began was practicine
lawyer in Georgia be weighe about 300
pounds. He was a short man, and had
no coupling pole hetwixt his head and
his shoulders. His back was as broad
as cellar door. OF course be was 8
good natured man, but sometimes was
very sarcastic in the use Of laI guage be-
fore jury. One day he had case in q
justice court, in one Of the upper coun-
ties of Georgia, and there was little
lawyer on the other side named Wiggens
Wiggens weighed about ninety pounds,
and was game and sassy, like most all
little men, and had q voice as fine as the
E. string on fiddle.
Well,the Judge was rollicking along in
q good-latured way to the jury, and
made some illusions that insulted Wig
gems dignity Whereupon Wiggens
hopped up like killdee and hit the
Judge lick on the back.
The Juige looked round little, and
says he. what you bout, Wiggans-
what you bout p
I'm fitin' !" says Wiggens.
"Set down and behave yourself" said
tue Judge, and his eyes twinkled merrily
as he continued his rhapsody Of random
remarks. Pretty soon he offended Wig
gems again, who rising forward, tumu'-
tuously popped him three or four times
more, making as much impression as If
he had hit the side OF house.
What you b u, Wigeens2 What
you tryin' to do ? said the Judge IS he
winked at the jury.
IL tell you sir, I'm fitin'," screamed
Wiggens, as he popped him again.
The Judge reached his arm back and
gently "squashed" Wiggens down in his
chair, saying .set down, Wiggens, and
be quiet, or I'll take you by the nape Of
the neck and seat Of the breeches and
throw you up so high the blue birds will
build in your jacket pocket before you
come down. Be still. l say"
Wiggens "beed STILL" but he studied
the code of honor for few days and
then went hack to the tailor's trade.
When the Judge was elevsted to the
bench he didn't give the juries very much
latitude in making mp verdict. II the
verdicts didn't suit him he charged 'em
over again and sent 'em back. One day
Col. Foster was defendin' fellow who
was sued on promissory note, and
wound up an eloquent speech with "these
are the grand principles Of the law, gen
tlemen, which control this cas-. They
are as old as England, as soil as the
Blue Ridge and have come down 10 US
so untarnished by the tide of time or The
wreck OF bl,ated Empires, and so will
His Honor charge you"
The Judge was leaning forward, his
eyes sparkling and his mouth twitching
at the corners. Hardly waiting for the
Colonel to sit down he said: "His Hon.
or won't charge you any such thing, gen.
tlemen: for those eternal principles my
Brother Foster has elucidated have no
more to do with the sse than the Korau
of Mahomet, This defendant admits
that he signed this note, and il you be-
lieyed him, then all these dilatory, nugr-
tory, purgatory pleas that he has ripped
up, tripped up, dug mp, stumped mp and
trumped up, won't avail him WHAT do
you say to that, Brother Foster, eh r
"Notbing, sir only that am obliged
to differ with the Court" said the Colo
mel
"Yes, sir, you can differ you hsve the
right to differ; hut where the Court and
the counsel differ, the Court prevails,
and that's the law of this case, gentle,
men. Retire and make up your verdict.