Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-07-13
DAILY POST IHfELLagICER
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ms LAST CouRf. -
Old Judge Grepson, justice of the
roaoe, vas never known to smile. lie
came 70 Arkansas years before the car
pet-baQgers began their reckless sway,
and year after year, by the viii of the
Vosers, he held his place as magistrate.
The lawyers who practised in his court
nsvsr INDUCED In lsvity. Every Mum
inc. no matter how the weather might
-. the old man took his place behind
the bar, which his own hands had made,
and every evening. Just at certain
hour, be closed his books and vent
home. No one ever engaged him 10
PRIVATE Conversation, because ne vooio
falk 70 no one. No one ever went 70
his homo, q little cottage among the
tres In the city's outskirss, because ne
hAd never shown o disposition 70 make
voioome even the visits OF those Who
lived n the immediate vicinity. His
o6Ioe vas not given him through the
influsncs Of elsctionesrinQ, because he
never sskod any man for his vote. he
~ flrse slected because. having once
beeu gummoued in q case of arbitra-
zion. he exhibited the executive side Of
suoh 8 good legal mind. He soon &C
ouired the name Of the hard justice"
and every lawyer in Arkansas referred
20 his dsoisious. His rulings we're never
reversed By the higher courts. He
allowed NO sentiment in bis decisions.
he stood upon tbs platform Of the Law.
vhish hs made study. and no one
disputed him.
Some days ago woman charged with
misdemsanor was arraigned before him.
The old man seems more than ever
unsteady" remarked lawyer a. the
magistrate took his seat. "I don't see
how man 20 old as he is can stand the
yexati0ns Of q court much longer"
~ am not we'll today" said the judge,
turning 70 the lawyers, "and any cases
shas you may have you will please dis
patch TO tho best and, let me add, quick
est Of your ability"
Every one saw that the old man was
unusually feeble. and there was no
thought OF q scheme 10 prolonR dis
oussion. for all the lawyers had learned
70 reverence him.
who In this woman? p asked the judge.
Who Ii defending herr
have no defense, your honor" the
woman replied. In fact. do not think
that ueed any. for I am here TO confess
my guilt. No man Gan defend me, and
che looked Mt the judge with curious
gaze. ~ have been arrested on charge
Of disturbing the peace. and am will
ing to submit my case. l am dying OF
consumption, judge, and ] know that
any ruling made by the Law can have but
little eject on me-" and she coughed Q
hollow, hacking cough, and drew around
her an old black shawl that she wore
Tho expression on the face of the magis.
trats remained unchanged, but his eye
lids dropped, and he did not raise them
when the woman continued:
Al l say, no man can defend me;
ON too near that awful approach TO pass
which We know Ia everlasting death "a
soul and body. Years ago Was q child
Of the brightest promise. l lived with
my parents In Kentucky. Maynard and
LIGHT hearted, was admired by all thu
gay society known In the neiRhborhood
4 man came and professed love for me
don't say this, judge. to excite YOU
sympathy. have many and many q
time bean drawn before courts, but
never spoke Of my past life."
She ceughed again and caught hov
Of blood on her handkerchief. which shs
prsessd 10 her lips.
speak Of u now because know Il
n the Lass court on earth before which
shall 30 arraigned. was fifteen year,
old whom ! fell In love with the man
Nv father said be was bad, but loved
him. He came again and again, and
vhsn my father said no should not,
ran away and married. Ny father said
] should come homo no more. / had
always been bis pride, and had loved
him % dearly, bot he said that ! must
nsvsr again come TO his home-my home
The homo Of my youth and happiness
How ] longed 10 zee him! How yearnsd
10 put nv bead on his breast! Ny hus
band became addicted 10 drink. Hs
Abuned me. wrote TO my father. ask
Ing him 70 let me come home; but the
answer that oame was, i do not know
your Ny husband dicd-yes, CURSED
God and died! Homeless and wretched
and with my little boy, went out into
the world. My child died, and l bowed
down and wept over pauper's grave
wrote 70 my father again, but he an.
wWorod, i know not those who disobey
my commandments spurncd my
teachings. Now ] am here"
several lawyers rushed forward. A
crimson tide flowed from her lips. They
leaned her lifelesa head back against
the chair. The old magistrate had moi
RAISED hia head.
.0seat 0od.' exclaimed lawyer, h,
b deAdv'
The woman waa his daughter.