Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1879-11-08
Mulrooney in Court.

"Peter Mulrooney," said the clerk
Peter Mulrooneyl" exclaimed the
stentorian crier.
There was an answer beyond, a
quick shuffling of feet, and an eager
whispering in which a toncA of tie
brogue rredoninated.
"SllenceT' shouted the crier, and
then he again called at the top Of his
voice:
Peter Mulrooney !"
"Whiat, We Omadham T. said Peter,
who Lad Loen all this time standing
quietly beside the other. "Sure. as
I'm not gossoon lost in a crowd,
there's no made to below like great
bull calf
"Nly didn't yon answer, then ?"
cried the eric surlily.
"Arl ah,, better manners to ye r. re-
torted Peter Would | be after dis
tu. bin Il cir honors in that way an
I'm sintleman Of staLdin an a
tacher Of dacencies?"
"You swear, Mr.. Mulrooney ?" said
the crier Offering the book.
"Do you take me for q haythen ?"
said Peter, Indignantly. "Sure, it's
not respectful to swear in a court OF
Justice
"Dut you must swear" said the
clerk sharply.
"Did yer honors iver hear the likes
o that?" said Peter, approaching the
bench. ga Christian man, and a da-
clnt looking man, too, barrin' he has
lost g. crop Of his ha = entirely-and
put Oh strange looking thatch (the
clerk were wig g)-to make me burg
lariously and felouiously swear before
the face of your honors and gin
t!emen of the bar Oh but tie vir
tue in me won't let me do the same"
"Mulrooney" said one of the Judges,
striving to suppress the quivering
about tho muscles CT his lips-his as
sociate was Etufing a white handker-
chief into his mouth-"Mulroouey,
yo1 must be awar, that it Is always
necessary for witness to take an
cath before he can be permitted to
give evidence at the lar"
Sure, sir, said Peter innccently.
"Thst is what the clerk rer,; ;gal of
you, continued tie judca, who sd
ded, with flint atteInrr a. gravity.
you will also recollect tnat !. Is our
duty to commit any one to prison for
contemptuous behavior at court"
"Long life to your honor" said Pc
ter "sorra bit III d sgrace myself
by hurtin tie feelin's of any respecta-
bic girtlemea like yourself, or your
hoaors brother yonder, who is attn
his white Handkerchief TO stop the
hunger PAIN. Deed, sir, Id be tgkin
great shame to meself if / did"
Swear him" Ssid this Judge. nod
ding hastily to the clerk, and sinking
back in his well-crahioned chair.
"Now, Mr.. Mulrooney," said the
counsel for his friends, tell US what
you know about this affair"
Peters story was perfect rigma-
role. He had been at his friend Nc
Shane She had returned from it
his friends had got into trouble with
the Germans, but as to how the aHray
commenced, his men: ory clear enough
before, became suddenly very hazy.
All he could reco!lect was that sundry
of the Irish, being aoundly pummeled
By the Germans, pummeled their an
tagonists quite as soundly in return.
The cross examination now com
manced, and as Peter caught up ard
rtpel!ed every move cf t;le keen-wit-
ted attorney, the ccutesl between cul-
t'vated Ghsrr 40aa and native shrewd-
ness became gradually very exciting.
well Mr. Muirooney," said the
attorney, you say you left hons in
The evening to assist in observing this
national custom OF yours. About
what time ir the evening?"
Deed, sir." replied Peter, with the
utmost simplicity, "but that bites me-
10 say. Twas betwight and between
sundown and moonrise."
"Ycu ars at least sure Of that?"
said the attorney. quickly.
"Och, by the powers that I am,
said Peter, with keen twinsle of the
eye.
"Have you an almanac, Mr.. Clerk ?
Pray see what tina tie sun set and
the moon rose on the 6th of April
last"
Sun set on the 9th of April
drawltd the clerk, in his usual tone,
lat twenty-four minutes past six and
the moon rose at thirty-seven minutes
past eleven"
There was sudden roar through
out the court, like surge of waves
upon the sea bsaca; the face of the
prosecuting attorney flushed crimson,
when Peter Mulrooney looked the
very picture of unconscious inno-
cence.
"You must speak to the point, wit
ness" sald the judge, with all the
sharpness he could command your
answer is impertinent."
"Troth, yer honor" sal Peter zee
pectfully, cts sorry / a. ,9s ,Hs-
Sure, it's the truth I'm teillu W Us
| uirtua Of mo nath