Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-03-29
HIS LAST CASE.
A Case OF Father and Daughter APP
pealed From Arkansas 10 . Higher
Trihunal

tribunal.
tFrom the Arkansas TrayeIier.)
Old Judge Crepson, . Justice OF the
Peace, was never known 10 smile. he
came TO Arkansas years ago, before
the "carpet bsggers' began their reck-
less sway, and year after year, by the
will Of the voters. he held his place as
magistrate. The lawyers Who prac-
ticed in his court never joked with
him, because every one soon learned
that the old man never engaged in
levity. Every morning no matter
how bad the weather might be the
old man took his place behind the bar,
which with his own hands he had
made and every evening, just at a
certain time, he closed his books and
went home. No one ever engaged
him in private conversation, because
he would talk to no one. No one ever
went to his home, a little cottage
among the trees in the citys outskirts,
because he had never shown a dispo-
sitlon to make welcome the visits of
those who even lived in the immediate
vicinity. His Office was not given
him through the influence of ''election.
eering," because he never asked any
man for his vote. He was first elect
ed because having once been summond
in case of arbitration, he exhibited
the executive side of such legal mind
that the people nominated and elected
him. He soon gained the name of the
''hard justice, and every lawyer in
Arkansas referred to his decisions.
His rulings were never reversed by
the higher courts, He showed no
sentiment in decision. He stood upon
the platform of law which he made
study, and no man disputed him
Several days ago woman charged
with misdemeanor was arraigned be-
fore him.
"The old man scenes more than
ever unsteady" remarked lawyer, as
the magistrate took his seat. Il don't
see how a man so old can stand the
vexations of court much longer
Il am not well to-day" said the
Judge, turning to the lawyers, land
any cases that you may have you will
please dispatch them to the best, and,
let me add, quickest of your ability y
Every one saw that The old man
was unusually feeble, and no one
thought of scheme to proloDg dis
cussion, for all the lawyers had learned
to almost reverence him.
as this the woman?'' asked the
Judge. "Who is defending her?'
II have no defense, your HONOR
the woman replied "In fact, 1 do
not think that need any, for ! am
here to confess my guilt No man
can defend me, and she looked at the
magistrate with curious gaze. 81
have been arrested on charge of dis
turbing the peace, and / am willing to
submit my case. | am dying of con-
sumption, Judge, and I know that any
ruling made by the law can have but
little effect on me-" and she coughed
a hollow, vacant cough, and drew
around her an old black shawl that she
wore. The expression on the face Of
the magistrate remaired unchanged
but his eyelids droppeu, ard he did
not raise them when the woman con
tinued: "As say, no man can de.
fend me. l am too near that awfuI
approach to pass which we know is
everlasting death to soul and to body
Years ago l was child of prightes
promise. ! lived with my parents il
Kentucky. Wayward and light
hearted, I was the admired of all the
gay society known in our neighbor-
hood. A man came and professed hi
love for me. | don't say this, Judge
to excite your sympathy. have many
and MANY time been drawn before
courts, but ! never before spoke ot
my past life She coughed again and
caught flow of blood on a handker.
chief which she pressed to her lips.
IL speak of it now because | know
that this is the last court on earth be-
fore which l will be arraigned. | was
fif'een years old when fell in love
with the man. My father said he was
bad, but l loved him. He came again
and again, and when my father said
that he should come no more | ran
away and married him. My father
said should never come home
again. l had always been his
pride and loved HIM do dearly. but he
SAID that I must never again come to
his home-ny home, the home of my
youth and happiness. How l longed
to see him. How yearned to put my
head on his breast My husband be-
came addicted to drink He abused
me. l wrote to my father, asking him
to let me come home, but the answer
that came was i do not know you!
My husband died-yes, cursed God
and died! Homeless and wretched
and with my little boy, went out in
to the world. My child died and
bowed down and wept over pauper''
grave. I wrote to my father again
but he answered: Il know not thos'
who disobey my commandments
turned away from that letter hardened
embraced sin. / rushed madly init
vice. I spurned my teachings. wa
time and time again arrested. Now
am here" Several LAWYERS rushed for