Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-08-11
SAMPLING SINNERS.
How the Merchant Judge Chased
the Docket.
An Old "Fisst BRie" and "a Bag
Of Bad Notes.

L IcelueuI OF the HOIce
Court, and ex-P President of the Cotton
Exchange, took his seat behind tbs
sample table, in the Police Court
room, this morning, with q manner
most debonnair, and as he adjusted
his spectacles on the bridge of his nose,
closely scanned the quotation-docket
and finally looked up with a half
satisfied air as he called: Bring in
Jim Donovan" The turnkey ran his
cotton hook into Jim's collar and
jerked him into the shed.
The officer was asked to hand in the
bill of lading, which read somewhat as
follows: From the - concert sa-
loon, by the barkeeper. via Gutter
railway, marked M. u. d."
You are not water packed, that's
very plain" said the Judge, as he
stuck his sampling augur into Jim.
Wonder if the yaps have got to
packing with gin?"
Il found him in a gin mill, Your
Honor" said the policeman.
Good enough" His Honor replied.
Jim, you are a mighty bad bale Of
last years cotton. Strikes me you've
been consigned to this shed several
times before. Clerk, class him dog
tail, and charge up three dollars for
storage and commissions"
Ellen Lee and Mandy Davis, pulled
in Court Square at nine o'clock last
night. we're brought in next for in.
spection, and the Court remarked:
well, who ever heard of calico
bagging before? Wonder what they'll
use next? And corset stavesfor tiesl
Rufled bagging and stuffed with
Scotch snuff at one end Well, l
neVerl Raised in Court Square, too.
Too much shade for good cotton.
Mandy, your are dog tail also, and
entirely too dirty for shipment. Ellen,
is your yellow color from age or rich
neFs?"
II amt got no money" mumbled
Ellen.
II thought so. Mr.. Officer, you can
just ship them back to the place
they came from, and the next time
they are hauled into this shed try and
use them to concrete the Adams street
pavement"
George Hurt was next ended up,
and the %classer scanned him closely.
Badly handled" was his comment.
"Baggin' busted in two OF three places.
How did it happen, oficer2"
He says Minnie, here, did it" was
the reply, as the officer pointed to bis
wife, whose name had been left off the
bill Of lading by mistake.
You appear to have been as badly
handled as he has," the Judge said,
as he looked at Minnie's band
aged head" How is it you
are baled in rags. Wasn't there
enough bagging to go around2 You
look as If you we're sand packed, too,
and had been rolled in the mud.
Where were you both raisedP''
"Causey street, sir the officer put
in.
THAT accounts for it. That land
down there is nothing but a sand soak
and | never saw a good look of cotton
raised there, George, III put you
down low middling and send you down
to the other shed to have your bagginp
sewed up. Guess they can fix you in
twelve days. You'll have to 20 down
for twenty, Minnie, for complete new
bagging and ties and thorough sam.
pling to see if you haven't got old
iron inside to weight you down, you've
got so much dirt outside. Roll 'em
out on the pavement and bring in
another BALE"
The turnkey went back and shortly
returned with q small bale, which he
dumped before the rail. and which
was discovered to be Will Avont,
aged nine.
70 hol they ringin' in notes on me
are they2"
"And a mighty trashy bale Of notes
at that, the officer remarked.
Here an expression of agony con-
torted the boys features of such 9
character as to leave no doubt of the
cause.
Stuffed with green fruit, by Joe
Bore him, Mr.. Officer"
An auger was thrust into WILLIE
pocket and when it was withdrawn
an apple was found on the end of it.
rAhal thought so; gimme here
From the curve in the col ners O.
the courts mouth, as no Bit the apple
it was evident his worst fears wer,
promptly realized and that it was very
green.
This settled the bale Of notes, anc
he was called into a corner Of th,
courtyard exposed to the weather and
marked Continued from day to day.
Immediately aiterward the dOol
opened and in bounced a fresh lookin,
specimep who announced himself ai
Henry Ham, first bale of the season.
! And a mighty ratty bale you are
exclaimed the CHASER. with a gyimace
; You are last years. cotton. Wher,
have you been stored so loneP'
! Hes been stored in the third Goo