The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1883-04-13
HIS LAST COURT.
A Case OF Father and Daughter Ap-
pealed to n Higher Tribunal.


pealed to q Higher Tribunal.
The Arkansaw Traveller in re
cent issue says: Old Judge Crepson,
a Justice OF the peace, was never
known to smile. lie calne to
Arkansas years ago, before the
carpet -baggers" began their sway,
and year after year, by the will OF
the voter, he held his place of
magistrate. The lawyers who
practiced in his court never joked
with him, because every one soon
learned that the old man never
engaged in levity. Every morning,
no mattet how bad the weather
might be, the old man took his
place behind the bar which, with
his own bauds, be had made, aud
every evening just at certain time
he closed his books aud went home.
No Que ever engaged him in
private conversation, because he
would talk to no Que. No one ever
went to his home, a little cottage
among the trees in the city's out
skirts, because he had never shown
"a disposition to make welcome the
visits of those who lived in the
Immediate vicinity. His Office was
not given him through the in.
fluence OF "electioneering,n because
he never asked any man for his
vote. He was first elected because,
having been summoned in case Of
arbitration, he exhibited the
executive side of such legal mind
that the people nominated and
elected biu. He soon g;iiel the
name of the I" Hard Justice and
every lawyer in Arkansas referred
to his decision. His rulings were
never reversed by the higher
courts. lie showed no sentiment
in decision. Lie stood upon the
platform OF q law which he made a
study, aud no man disputed him.
Not many days ago u woman
charged with misdenieanor was
arranged before him.
"The old man seems more than
over unsteady remarked a lawyer
as the magistrate took his seat.
81 don't sec how q man SO old can
stand the vexations of court much
longer.p
"Iam not we'll today said the
Judge, turning to tho lawyer, "and
any cases that you may have you
viii please dispatch them to the
best, aud, let me add, to the quick
est OF your ability"
Every one saw that the old man
was unusually feeble, aud no one
thought OF o scheme to prolong u
| a discussion, for all tho lawyers
had learned to almost reverence
him.
"Is this the woman ~ asked tue
Judge. "Who IL defending herp
III have no defense, your honor
the woman replied. ain fact, do
not think that need any, for am
hero to confess my guilt. No mau
can defend me,n aud she looked al
the magistrate with Il curious gaze
"I have been arrested OH u
charge OF disturbing the peace, aud
| am willing to submit my case.
am dying Of consumption, judge
and l know that any ruling made
By the law can have but little
effect on me-" and she coughed Q
: hollow, vacant cough, and drew
around her ap old black shawl that
she wore. The expression on the
face Of the magistrate remained
unchanged. but his eyelids droppec
and he did not raise them wher
the woman continued; GAS
say, no man can defend me. l al
too near that awful approach, tt
pass which We know is everlasting
. death to soul aud to body. Year
ago was o child Of brightes
promise. lived with my parent
iu Kentucky. Wayward aud light
e hearted, / was the admired Of al
:. the gay societies known In on
: neigLborbood. A man came an,
professcd his love for me. l dom
s SAY this, Judge, to excite you
sympathy. | have many and man.
: time been drawn before courts
: but 1 never spoke OF my past life.
4 She coughed again, and caught
flow of blood on u handkerchief
Q which she pressed to her lips. 9
j. speak OF Ii now because l knot
o that this is the last court on earth be
d fore which ] will be arraigned.
! was 10 years old when fell In low
n with the man. My father said h
was bad, but l loved hun. II
came again aud again, aud whe
my father said that he shot Id com
, no more, ran away aud Inarrie'
him. My father said l shoul
never come home again. I'ha
/, always been his pride aud ha
n loved him so dearly, but he sai
., that | must never again come to hl
D. home, my home, the home OF m
s. youth and happiness. How
!. louged to see him. How | yearne
Al to put my head on his breast. N
% husband became addicted to driul
ss He abused me. l wrote to N
: father, asking him to let me con
ic home, but the answer that can
in was 4 do not know youp My hu
of baud died: Homeless and wretche
ID and with my little boy / went o
Sc iuto the world. Ny child died Al
i'll l wept over a pauper's grave.
m wrote to my father, again, but