Omaha daily bee., 1883-03-30
HIS LAST COURT.
A Story OF the Sternest Judge that
Arkansas Ever Had.

Arkansas Traveller.
Old Judge Grepson, q justice Of
the peace, was never known to smile.
he came to Arkansas years ago, be
fore ''carpet- ~bsggers" began their
reckless sway, and year after year, by
the will OF the voters, be held hi,
| place as magistrate. The lawyers who
practiced In his court never engaged in
levity. Every morning, no matter
how the weather might bs, the old
man took his place behind the bar,
which, with his W hands, be had
made, and every evening, just at 9
certain time, no closed his books and
went home. No one over engaged
him In private conversation, because
he would talk 20 no one No one
ever went to hls home, a little cottage
among the trees In tho oity's outskirts,
because he had never shown q disposi.
tlon to make welcome the waits OF
those who lived ever in the immediate
vicinity. His cfi'e was not given
him through the influence Of ''elec,
tioneering," because he never asked
any man for his vote. He was first
elected because, having been once
summoned In q csee of arbitration, he
exhibited the executive dido Of such o
legal mird that the people nominated
and elected him. He soon gained the
Dame of the "hard justice" and
every layer In Arkansas referred to
his decisions. Hi rulings were never
reversed by the higher courts. He
showed no sentiment 10 decision, He
stood upon the platform Of a law
which he made a study, and no man
disputed him.
Several days ago q woman charged
with misdemeaner was arraigned be.
fore him.
"The old man seems more than ever
unsteady" remarked a lawyer as the
magistrate took his seat. II don't
see how a man 30 old can stand the
vexatiors Of a court much longer"
Il am not we'll ( o.dsy," said the
judge, turning to the lawyers, "apd
any cases that you may have you will
please dispatch them to the best,
and, let mo add, quickest of youl
ability"
Every one saw that the old man we,
unusually feeble, and no one thought
of n schema to prolong q discussion
for all the lawyers had learned to rev
erencs him.
"Who Ia this woman" asked tn,
judge. "Who is defending herr
Il have no defence, your honor
the woman replied. "In fact, I d,
not think that 1 need any, for l all
here to confess my guilt. No ma,
can defend me-" aud abe looked at tn,
magistrate with q curious gsz g.
have been arrested on q charge of die
turbing the peace, and I'm willing I,
submit my csse, an dying Of con.
sumption, judge, and I know that any
ruling made by tho law can have blu
little effect On me-" and she coughet
a hollow, hacking cough aud drew
around her an old black ehawl tina
fhe wore. Tho expression on the fac
of the magistrate remained unchanged
but his eyelids dropped and he dl
not raise them when the woman con
tinued: "As l say, no man can DE-
fend me. / Am too near that awfr
approach, to pass which we know
everlasting death to soul and body
Years ago / was q child OF brightea
promise. lived with my parents |
Kentucky. Maynard and ligh'
hearted, I was admired by all the ga
society known In the neighborhoo6
A man came and ~professed his love fl
me. doL't say this judga, to excl,
your sympathy. I have many al,
many a time been drawn before cour,
but | never before spoke OF my pa
hfe."
7 She coughed again, and caught
flow OF blood on her handkerchi
. which che pressed to her lips.
speak OF it now because l know tn
! is the last court on earth before Will
I will be arraigned. l was fifte,
years old when l fell In love with
:, man. My father said he was bad, b
, l Lived him. He came again O.
4 again, and when my father said tn
: he should come no more I ran aw
y and married him, My father said
sh suld come home again. I had
ways been his pride, and had Low
d him 30 dearly, but he said that l m,
never again come to his home-r
d home, the home OF my youth and hi
y piueas. How l longed to see hi
i. How l yearned to put my head on
0, breast. My husband became addict
t, to drink. He abused me-. 1 wrote
my father, asking him to let me co
IN homo, but the n wer that came W
lis I do not know you!' My husba
died-yes, cursed God and di
It, Homeless and wretohed, and with
Mt little boy, l went out into the wor
of My child died, and I bowed down g
" wept over apauper's grave. I VIZ
%, to my fother again, bu, he answer
in Il know not those who disobey
iu commandments! I turned away Fl
ir- that lettar hardened. I spurned
In teachings. Now I am here"
h. Several lawyers rushed forward.
sst crimson tide flowed from her |
Ill They leaned her l~lfeless head b
his against the chair. The old magistl
lth had not raised his eyes. "Grea. &c
ct, said q lawyer, she 10 dead"
Try The woman was his daughter.
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