American citizen., 1879-04-26
An Old-Time Georgia Justice.


There are many amusing anecdotes
related OF the way the ignorant back
country Justices of the Peace in Geor-
gia used to manage their affairs before
the war. One old standby (whom 1
will call Justice Brown), pretty good
type OF his class, had formed an especial
friendship with young sptig of the
law, a member of the noted Cobb fami-
ly OF that region, and who himself in
later life became widely known. Cobb
was IN those days rather wild Young
fellow; and he ami 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 county-probably
found fraternal qualities each in the
other, for there Was Soon not a horse
race, thicken-main or a bar-room in
that section that was not familiar with
the spectacle of this jovial and we'll
matched couple, who, by these pecu-
liarly southern recreations enlivened
the dull routine of the laws slow course.
The fraternity that existed between the
twain in their hours of ease and pleas
ure, speedily began also to evince itself
even in their business relations: and it
was not long before it was noted that
every 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 be 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 JUS
tice 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"
elbows thatf" inquired the Squire,
blandly.
Why, they do say that there hasn'.
case come into your court for the last
three months, with which Cobb was
connected, that, no matter what the
case might be, you haven't given Cobb
a Judgment for his client in it; and peo-
pie are beginning to complain about
this one sidedness.
complain, do they'" remarked
Brown, perplexed, scratching his head
at this point blank accusation. Snow
look yere," cried he, after few mo.
ments' cogitation, slapping the Other
heartily on the shoulder as his face sud.
denly frightened with a new light that
had beamed upon him and shown him 8
brilliant escape out of the dilemma
"don't you say another word about this
to any one. I'll straighten things out
all right so that people won't have any
cause to complain agin." And he strobe
away lightly and cheerfuliy like mar
with his mind quite at ease.
The very next case after that thai
came before Browns court chanced tc
be horse stealing affair, in which Cobt
was employed for the prosecution. The
defendant went before Brown with con.
siderable reluctance; for that Justices
partially for Cobb was now well known
The prosecution made out a very
strong case, as it happened, against the
accused; and the latter sat trembling
with apprehension as witness after wit.
ness was called who fastened the crime
closer and closer upon him. Finally
the poor devil, wrought Upon by his
fears and expecting but little favor from
the Justice as against the Justices IA
vorite, burst out with a full and free
confession of his guilt, and threw him
self fairly upon the mercy of the Court
This, of course, brought the testimony
of the prosecution to an abrupt close
and the genial Cobb-gathering togeth
er his law books and papers, and re-
ceiving the congratulations of the nu-
merous spectators upon his able man.
agement of the case, prepared to ad-
journ to a neighboring bar room with
some of his admirers to celebrate his
success; merely remarking as formali-
ty, as he passed by the Justice on his
way out, with wink to the latter to
hint that the refreshments outside await
ed him wht n he was at leisure as well
as the rest of them-''of course your
Honor decides for usp''
"Hold on, Mr.. Cobb" cried his
Honor, who had sat stolidly silent all
through the case up to now, and had
even disregarded the tacit invitation OF
his old crony out to spirituous refresh
ments, but who now suddenly arouse d
himself. "l'd like to hear a few re-
marks from you on this case before l
close it thus intimating that his mind
was still in doubt with regard to the de-
cision he should render, despite the re-
markably plain case the prosecution had
made out, and Notwithstanding even the
confession of his guilt from the prisoner
himself.
Cobb, as well as all the spectators,
looked thunGerstruck at this; but the
former managed at length to gather his
wits together again, and proceeded to
set fourth to the Court in very able
speech the laws regarding confessions
of guilt. The Justice sat doggedly lis
tening. At last, when the attorney had
finished, his Honor Strengthened his
huge frame in his chair, gravely relieved
his mouth of a masticated quid and took
in new supply, then, with dignity and
an air Of conscious rectitude, addressed
the nonplussed spectators and the be-
wildered Cobb:
Gentlemen, 1 understand that it has