The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-11-06
A BUTCHERS BAD BREAK
How a Moberly Man was Done
Up Before Judge Burkhart
by a Thoughtless Boy.
The Terrors of Foolin' With a
Judge Who Deals Out Justice
in the Noberly Common
Pleas Court.

On Friday last court was In session at
MOberly and Judge Burkhsrt nc ted fol his
dignity and sternn ess was on the bench. A
case was under consideration which in
volved the QUESTION whether a certain al
ley should be closed up, or remain open
for public use in the city of Moberly. Ii
took men of fine legal acumen to under
Stand and argue the points before the
court.
The dav waned the court sat ureas-
! lily in his chair. About four o'clock
the door of the court room flew open and
in stslked an overgrOwn boy of white oak
appearance, followed by a large yellow
dog, the two appearing as if they had slept
In the same kennel and eat of the same
provision.
The boy, after getting inside the room,
gszed about moment and then, with his
cap on, walked rapidly to where the JUICE
sat and in the midst OF an argument by
one of the learned counsel, said:
Judge, | have got load of wood want
to sell you"
Il don't wish to buy any wood" said the
Judge rather steruly.
1T is good one Judge. and cheap, too,
and you had better buy IT." continued the
boy very earnestly.
"Who sent you here ?" calculated the
judge, his face getting red and his lips
9uivering with excitement, at the same
time the bar and spectators were conyulsed
with merriment.
ZONES. the butcher, told me you wanted
a load, and have good wood on my wag-
Oh, and big half cord, which you can
have for two dollars as it's getting near
sundown," still more earnestly, said the
lad.
"Mr. Sheriff. shouted Judge Bnrkhart,
SOU 90 with this boy and have him psint
out Mr.. Jones and then you bring Jones
here"
Ben Ashcom, the prompt sheriff, jumped
out Of bis seat into his hat and motioned
the boy to follow him.
The sheriff, boy and yellow dog all disap-
peared through the door. when Burkhart
leaned back in his seat and said
Gentlemen proceed with your argu-
ment." AT the same time he mentioned
something about some people needing hot
ter FIRE than white oak wood would make.
The argument in the alley case had hand
ly commenced when the door of the court
room was opened and in came a man in his
shirt sleeves with a cap on top of his ears,
and white apron in front Of him splatch
ed with blood. He was pale as death. He
was closely followed by the sheriff, the boy
and the dog. AS the dog was nearly in the
door Ben Ashcom gave him a::kick which
brought forth yelp.
'Is Mr.. Jones In court?" said Judge
Burkhart.
THAT is my name" said Jones timidly.
not taking his eyes of of the Judge.
"Mr. Clerk, swear Mr.. JONES'" said the
Judge.
Clerk-"Hold up your right hand, Mr..
JONES'"
Jones elevated his right hand which
was greasy, he having been mixing sau-
sage.
The room was hushed, and a strange
stiffness prevailed as the clerk said:
You sOlemnly swear that
you will give true answers to such |
questions as may be put to you concerning |
the matter in controversy, and tell the |
truth, the whole truth and nothing but the |
truth, so help you God"
Jones, dropping hi, head) lido.
Judge-Mr. Joues, did you send this boy |
to me TO sell load of white oak wood?
Jones-Now, Judge, 1 will tell you all
about it.
JUDGE want to know if you sent this
boy here?
Jones-I told that boy that Judge Burk-
holder wanted to buy load of wood and
that he would probably find him at the
Judge-WLl, this seems to be . case of
identity owing to a similarity of
names Mr.. Jones, You are discharged
Mr.. Sheriff, adjourn court.
Twenty minutes later the Judge and
sheriff were seen going towards Huntsville
and in the direction of white oak timber.
Judge Burkholder is prominent citizen
of Moberly, and it is probable that the boy
mistook Burkhart for Burkholder and of
course no one is to blame, but the fact is
here are too many judges.
Late Friday evening BAzoo represent