The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1881-05-07

Sdlus
"Miss Bramlett, l am ordered to
fetch you to the courthouse; don't
be in hurry, | viii! wait if you
are not ready; take as much time
as you wish"
81 am quite ready now, and we
will go at once," replied Miss
Bramlett as she put on her hat.
| noticed that Viola was dressed
exactly as Lottie was in every re,
spect. The sheriff requested me to
hand the ladies to the carriage. l
perceived his object and knew
that he was actuated by a gener-
GUS consideration for Miss Bran.
letts feelings. He scrupulously
avoided doing anything that would
look like guarding a prisoner. lie
stood of at a considerable distance,
until | handed the ladies into the
carriage, then took his seat by the
driver and requested me to ride in
side. When the carriage halted
in front OF the courthouse, a large
crowd of men began to collect near
us. A policeman kindly opened a
passage for us to get through the
crowd. The courtroom was tull of
spectators and lawyers; while an
unpleasant smell OF tobacco per
vaded the place. Judge Flipout,
who was reading a newspaper
when we entered, laid his paper
down and fixed his keen dark eyes
on Miss Bramlett and gazed intent
ly at her for several minutes, then
came down and took her hand,
spoke a few kind words to her,
then turned to Lottie.
"Well, Miss Wallingford, have
you concluded to make a speech
in defence of your friend to-day?'
"No, sir, but if | had, | should
have advanced some new ideas;
such as would not he considered
complimentary to judges and law
yers. | do not know a great deal
about courts, but | used to think
that they were :he fountains Of
justice; but the scales have been
knocked off Of my eyes"
II am truly sorry that you should
entertain an untavorable opinion
of US, but | trust you will change
that opinion when you become
better acquainted with u.s."
"Indeed, SIR | wish | could see
something which could be consid,
cred an improvement on the farce
| witnessed here few days
ago"
"Open court, Mr.. Sheriff." said
Judge Flipout as he resumed his
place.
Now | want my friends to un'
derstand that | think that Judge
FIipout was an honorable, consci-
encious judge; a man possessing
generous sentiments; but he was
but a man after all. Mr.. Rock
land came in and took his seat,
looking grave and uncomfortable.
| had never seen him looking so Sc
rious before, and it made mo shiver
to behold the solemn pale face, be-
cause thought it was an evil omen.
| considered him the oracle in that
case who knew all of its features,
and it was natural that l should
watch his movements closely. He
sat like marble statue, staring
vacantly at space, with his thin
pale lips closely compressed.
While The clerk was reading the
minules, | overheard a conVersa-
ton between Hog jaw and MIR.
Outlet.
(Which is the prsoner7" said
Hog Jaw
"lhe one sitting nearest to u.s."
replied Mr.. Outlet.
"Thete is no signs Of guilt on that
face, certain. BY Jupiter! she is
pretty"
eyes, but | don't think she is as
pretty as Miss Walhngford."
81 don't know about that; there
is a charming expression about her
countenance surprising anything
Il ever saw. DO you think she is
guilty|
~ am sorry to be compelled to
say do; though think she was
not in her right mind when she
committed the crime" a
"Why do they not plead insani-
tyg"
"Ah! that is mystery to me;
but am told that Miss Walling-
ford has discovered some impor-
tant evidence, which she thinks
will secure an acquittal, We are
going to have an interesting trial