Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-03-07
Bijah's Hour.

euu uokScT, TollCb VI VIC ldt6 war,
Both weapons are covered with blood
stains, showing that they saw active
service. The sword bears the legend:
" Never draw me without reason, nor
sheathe me without honor" He never
will. He isn't that kind of a man.
Half an hour before the court opened
along came stoop-sho uldered man
with very serious face and solemn
voice, and he asked Bijah if there were
any prisoners to be tried. Being an
swered in the affirmative, he stated that
he was the originator of new religion,
and that he would like to go in and
wrestle with the prisoners and try to do
'em good.
Wall, il your religion is better than
all the rest rolled in a heap, it may fetch
EN-" answered Bijah, "but you must
take your chances"
The good man was shown into the
corridor. where sat Mary Jane Pollard,
brought in about midnight for disturb
ing the peace. What followed no man
may ever tell. Bijah heard whoops and
yells and grand rush, and the inventor
of the new brand of religion came out
with his coat collar hanging over his
shoulder, his hair thinned out, and his
breath all gone
"Then, she didn't soften ?" inquired
the janitor as the man made for the
street, but no answer was returned.
The first prisoner out seemed to have
spent the best years of his life in grow
ing q sickly-looking goatee of the color
of IA ripe carrot, and the paper collar he
had on had been in use for of least q
month. He explained that he landed
in Detroit from tour to Buffalo only
last Saturday, and was landed in the
Central Station before he had been In
the home of his infancy half day.
He placed IN obstruction upon the side
walk near the City Hall MARKHAM OBJ
structioD that gave the name of George
Benson when taken to the station. He
denied it, however-even denied it after
q policeman had told the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth. In attempt
ing q heavy gesture with both arms,
the prisoners old coat went Grip"
A part of it fell on the floor, and it was
decided to send him up for sixty days
to get some clothes, although the close
of his case didn't suit the tourist at all,
and he wanted to fight Bijah when the
latter coupled the name Of Benson with
benzine.
After Biiah had got him posed in
front of the desk he looked like darkey
of several hundred years growth. He
didn't wait to be questioned, but at
once began bowling and scraping, and
called out:
Dis chile am cum to see yer-what
xpor rysxv 70 10 NTH ba
Ever been in the House of Correc-
ton ?" inquired the court.
Jones Strengthened up, buttoned his
rusty coat close up, picked his hat off
the stove hearth, and feelingly replied:
els heah to be de subject oh in
sultin' remarks?"
"Ever been arrested before 2" con.
tinued the court.
Befoah, sir-befoah u exclaimea
the indignant jones. "De question 1, =,
not on de previs outlines OBJ my chaE
acter, sir--not in de least ways--but,
de topic, sir, is whether I'm heah now,
sir-heah, as q criminal?" And Mr..
Jones rested his weight on one foot,
held one arm out at angles, fastened his
optics on the clock, and waited for an
answer. 1t appeared that he had been
admitted as ledger, but had oversight
himself, and, for q joke, he was detained
and sent out as prisoner, just to learn
him to leave his downy couch at q more
proper time. He was told to proceed
on his winding way, but he insisted on
an apology from Bijah, claiming that
his character had been compromised,
and he finally got it, also nickel piece
as company, and he deposited the lat
ter in his bootleg, exclaiming: else
g'wine up to Paton's alley, and I don't
keer to 'spose my life by exhibiting too
much money"
Anthony Rich made o poor show as
he stood at the bar in his old clothes.
He was dancing drunken jig in barn
on Gratiot street for the amusement Of
seven boys and dog, and he fought
the officer all the way down. The court
asked him if he had any cash.
"Not cent" he replied.
All right-Ill give you new step
in dancing-one that you don't know.
I'll dance you down at ten dollars or
thirty days-take him back"
"But I won't dance to that tune
here's your spot, "replied the man, and
he hshed down into his pocket and
brought up an old oil-skin containing
about one hundred dollars and handed
over his fine to the clerk.
The court won't be fooled on rag
picker again.
Bijsh hunted around the corridor and
found one moro prisoner, o fat, oilydittH
man who had just aroused from kleeN
When brought in at night he explained
to the Captain that the only profession
he had was that OF dying for his coun-
try, and he offered to die for her then
and there il any one would see that be
had rosewood casket.
"Have you got rid OF all that drunk
yet?" asked Bijah as he pulled him
along.
Ill hope not, cos I paid a big
price for it," was the honest reply.
When placed at the bar he stood there
like o bag Of shavings, and when the
court asked him to plead he calculated,
oil can't p.plead wo-worth q cent
sposn' you p-plead fur me-"
I" Were you drunk9" inquired the
court.