Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1879-04-24

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broomstieks and Frank came in
Then he burst out laughing.
Ho, minion; seize him-he laughs
in court Let the majesty Of the law
be upheld
1t turned out that the Noble
Guard and the 'Minions' were one
and the same, for they dropped their
broomsticks and seized Frank.
But, my lord, I couldn't help it,
you look so funny.
'Unhand him, slaves let him pro-
ceed with the case. But let his es-
tates be conhscated, ana see that he
dies at sunrise the Judge
spoke in such terri voice that 1t
set him coghing...(
No wonder Frank laughed. The
Judge was raised on the bed with
blankets flowing from the throne for
robes, and with lions skin over his
shoulders for ermine. The jury com
posed of Joannys classmates, were
ranged along one side Of the room on
chairs and trunks. Some were low
and some were high, and over the
trunks and chairs were thrown shawIs
and blankets with blue borders. he
prisoner box was really box-a
soap box on top Of the bureau--and
Johnny was guarded BY two more
bristling broomsticks. The court waa
crowded.
'u"'loa. said the Judge, suddenly
without cents worth e dignity
where are my spectacles2'
If you please, Mr.. Ray, said the
prisoner who, from his elevated posi-
ton could take BIRDS eye view of
tho o"ora 'hev'ra rorluA hahind vow
say.
Silence in the court thunderss a
jaryman who was go small and the
trunk 80 high that bis heels kept
catching in the lock through the
blanket. Must he speak, Mr. Ray ?
Not word, and # he does it
again he dies at sunrise, said ths
Judge rhseriully, as he buckled on
his spectacles-I mean buckled when
l say it-for they didn't have any
side,, taving been found in an old
trunk in the housekeeper's s ro om, and
haI 20 be fastened around bis head
with skate strap.
'Youl most gracious majesty, said
Tom rising from the table, which WAS
covered with a lot of old compositions
to make it look legal l haze a
painful duty to perform-one from
which ! may say | shrink with more
than my usual dj!!idsncc and aD1-'
CLEAR, hear.")
Who said hear, hear ? SAID the
Judge, looking sternly over his spec
tacles If he says it again he dies at
sunrise.
My usual dindence, said the coun-
sci for the defeudant--who had been
specially y engaged for the occasion by
the plaintiff himself. My lord, my
learned friend here has thrown my
client into court, and why 2
'ghat's j,rss what Id like to know,
said the Judge, with commendab!e pa
tlence. L haven't the least idea );
wherenpon one Of the jurylnsn started
off on the story, aud it took all four
of the guards to stop him. He was
ordered to die at sunrise.
Your Honor, said Frank, rising
and looking at Tom wish wNherfng
scorn perhaps my so calle9 learned
friend will permit PLAIN statement
of the case, | submit, my lord, that
anyone who is disqualified to plead
before your august Majesty ought to
know repeat it, ought to know
that you can't open it with the de.
fence before there's anything to de-
fend.
Two Of tho audience cried Good for
you ! and two more deaths were or
dered for sunrise.
! will be as plain and simple as
possible, my lord
The Count grasped the idea Of the
gentleman's simplicity Whereupon
there was an uproar Of laughter in
court, and seven more deaths were or.
aered, including the counsel for the
defence.
Your Honor continued Frank
the prisoner is accused of writing the