The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-04-21
A Tombstone Justice.
Stockton Herald

When was practising down at Tomb stone." said the lawyer. d friend of mine had his ear chcwed oif one evening in a dispute with prominent citizen who dealt faro. After seeing the doctor he came to me, and under my advice he had the prominent citizen arrested on d charge of mayhem. Next day We had the man up for his preliminary examination. My friend was there with his head bandaged. and so were the prominent citizen and his counsel, and the friends of both parties The general public-and it's pretty tough general public m Tombstone crowded the courtroom. The hour went by. but the Judge didn't turn up The constable went out to look Tor him, but couldn't ind him in any of the saloons. We secured round for half an hour. but nary sign of the court turned up. Finally. General OBfien. the leader ol the Tombstone bar, stuck his head up through T trap-door in the floor. and sad m solemn way
 ''t ,entlemen. remove your hats. His honor Is here And he dragged the court up by the collar. He was limber drunk ana had been sleeping t of ln the celIar You never saw such a long ad3ournmen; from deeency as ;hai ornamem, of the bench was. He was covered with diri and even his hair and beard were chack iull oi sawdust. There was remember a fia.tened qsid of tobacco on h,s cheek bone. We had to hold his honor under each arm as we led hlm to the ne4res, barber-shop. \ bath ani 4 shampoo brought back some lie to hln. and he vas able to walk wi.hoa; help t9 the oouri-Toon. Once IT the char bohind his high desk he looked all rgh,. and We wer, on with the case. We had taken the testimony oi three witnesses to the TOW, ard subsequent chewing of my friends ear m the Excelsior faro parlors when General O'Bnen and Colonel ,te- phcns. both on the other sde. jumped up and oolected 10 one ot my questions. 1, was d law point and we argued and quoted authorities for abou, half an hour l. was pretty ho; set-to, and we were all on our feet when we finished and turned round 10 the eous, for ruling. He was looking straight before him up above us as if he were sleeping with his eyes open
 "'Your honor said the General. after a long pause, we arc waiting foI your ruling.
 There xas no answer. Then l chip ped in with:
 Your honor, will you be good enough 10 give us your ruling 7
 Wash iha :: he said. trying 10 bring his eyes 70 bear upon me.
 = We want your ruling
 ~'Coart journed he said. tysng 10 rise
 We alI protested, but his only answer was to strike his desk gith his ifs; and cry out again that the court was adlournee Wont you fix the bail of this defend sniF demanded the General ~Now, shir.' sad the coar; ~ho had go: on his fee, by ;his ;Irne. anu ~4s frowning heavily Turn 'iFr loose. He'd oughter ohawed inc head o.f that teaderfool tha,'s vaa. he'd oG inter done.
 Well, gentlemen. what do you ,hiak the court csd next: He igs; deliberately staggered over to the rrap-door. Iifged H. stepped dow-n the stars aa,l only his head and shoulders ~erc a5oxe the 2 DOT. and then paCsing .o glare q. She pafass sfea cro~d of us. gro~led oui
 feh can all gn ta -
 s.h that -e lacked and let tAe door fah, and ] supg8se nal kis sleep oa. ea Inc dirty floor es<Ae cellar.