The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-07-23
An Old-Time Georgia Justice.

=
There are many amusing anecdotes re-
lated of the way the ignorant back-coun-
ty justices OF the peace in Georgia used to
manage their court affairs before the war.
One old standby (whom will call JUS
tice Brown,) pretty good type of his
class, had formed an especial friendship
with young sprig of the law, a mem
Der of the noted Cobb family of that re-
gion, and who himself in later life be-
came widely known. Cobb was in those
days rather wild young fellow; and he
and Brown, who had acquired and held
his Office by the mere ability Of drinking
deeper, fighting harder and swearing
louder than any other man in the country,
probably found fraternal qualities each in
the other, for there was soon not horse
race, chic ken main or bar-room in
that section that was not familiar with
the spectacle of this jovial and we'll
matched couple, who, by these peculiar
~ southern recreations enlivened the dull
routine Of the laws slow course. The
fraternity that existed between the twain
in their hours of ease and pleasure.
speedily began also to evince itself even
In their business relations; and it was
not long before it was noted that eve1y
case which came into Browns court was
invariably decided in favor of the client
who had the good fortune to retain Cobb
as his lawyer, no matter what the merits
OF the case might he on that side. This
became SO noticeable that people began
to comment upon it, and finally one of
his friends even undertook to demonstrate
with the justice himself concerning the
matter.
"Look here, Squire Brown said he,
'people round here do say that YOU and
Cobb are getting to be little too thick.n
allows thatl" inquired the squire.
blandly.
"Why, they do say that there hasn't a
case come into your court for the asst
three months with which Cobb was con-
nected that, no matter what the case
might be, you haven't given Cobb judg-
are ment for his client in it, and beginn
ing of to complain this one-sidedness.'
"Complain, do they?" remarked Brown,
perplexed, scratching his head at this
point-blank accusation. Nov, look
yere,' cried he, after a few moments
cogitation, slapping the other heartily on
the shoulder as his face suddenly brig ht-
ened with new light that had beamed
| upon him and shown him brilliant es.
| cape out OF the dilemma, "don't you say
| another word about this to anyone. I'll
straighten things out all rig ht so that
people won't have any cause to complain
again" And he strobe away lightly
and cheerfully like a man with his mind
quite at ease.
The very next case after that that came
before Browns court CHANGED to be a
horse-stealing affair, in which Cobb was
employed for the prosecution. The de-
| PENDANT went before Brown with consider
able reluctance; for that Justices partial
| lty for Cobb was now well known. The
prosecution made out very strong case,
| as it happened, against the accused; and
the latter sat trembling with apprchen-
sion as witness after witness was called
who fastened the crime closer and closer
upon him. Finally the poor devil, wrought
upon by his fears and expecting but lit
| tie favor from the justice as against the
Justices faYorite, burst out with a full
and free confession of his guilt, and
threw himself upon the mercy of tn
| court. This, of course, brought the ties
timony of the prosecution to an abrupt
close; and the genial Cobb, gathering to-
gether his law books and papers, and re.
ceiving the congratulations of the nu-
merous spectators upon his able manage
ment of the case prepared to adjourn to
a neighboring bar-room with some of his
admirers to celebrate his success; merely
remarking as formality as he passed by
no 1nl-
to the latter to hint that the refreshments
outside awaited him when he was at leis-
ure as we'll as the rest of them, ''Of
course your honor decides for us?''
"Hold on, Mr.. Cobb" cried his honor,
| who had sat stolidly silent all through
the case up to now, and had even disre-
garded the tacit invitation of his old
crony out to spirituous refreshments, but
now who suddenly aroused himself. I'D
like to hear few remarks from you on
| this case before I lose,"-thus intimat-
ing that his mind was still in doubt with
regard to the decision he should render,
despite the remarkably plain case the
prosecution had made out, and notwith-
standing even the confession of his guilt
from the prisoner himself.
Cobb, as we'll as all the spectators,
looked thunder-struck at this; but the
former managed at length to gather his
wits together again, and proceeded to set
forth to the court in veay able speech
the laws regarding confessions of guilt.
The justice sat doggedly listening: At
last, when the attorney had finished, his
honor Strengthened his huge frame in
his chair. gravely relieved his mouth Of
aimastlcated quid and took new supply,
then, with dignity and an,air of conscious
rectitude, addressed the nonplussed spec
tators and bewildered Cobb.
i"Gentleman,fI understand that it has
been said in this neighborhood that I
have been a leetle too partial in my de-
cisions in this yer court towards Mr..
Cobb's clients, and praps I have, gentle
men, for Mr.. Cobb and me have been
right good friends. But,gentlemen, l am
otgoing to have any more such harges
brought against me in the future; and so
I intend to sorter equalize the rulings of
my court hereafter. 1 have given Mr.. Cobb
far and squa' hearing, and as was no
more than right, but my mind was made
/