St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-16
HOW HE PLEADED
And Won his Cause by the Glitter Of
His Eye.


His Eye.
Atlanta Constitution.
Court week in Cottonville comes twice
a year. The town then revives a little, and
some indications of life, movement and
business are visible. CottonYille, YOU
know, was finished and fenced in more
than half century ago. Since that time
not nail has been driven and, with the
exception of a little whitewashing, moth
ing has been done in the line of repairs.
Once when Judge Blank was ON the
bench [ dropped into the court room to
pass an idle hour. The solicitor general
mad just called the judges attention to all
Indictment against one Jefferson Orton
Inc charge was assault with intent to
murder. but the solicitor said that he was
saClsiied ne could not secure conviction,
anu ne therefore recommended that the
Indictment be nolle proSsd. The Judge
drowned and said in his sternest tones:
take different view of it, Mr.. So
llcltor. 1t would be reducing Justice Ia
chld's play to do as YOU suggest. The
case will be called after dinner, and it will
be tried unless proper showing is made
for continuance"
His honor'S tartneSs caused little stir.
The solicitor turned red, and there was
breeze OF whispering ali over the cour
room.
In the afternoon 1 was on hand to wit.
ness the trial Of Orton. To the surprise OF
everybody it did not come off After tax.
ing his seat Judge Blank, with an embar-
rassed look, said:
MT. Solicitor, l believe you stated this
morning that you were in favor of having
the orion case nolle pross'd."
Yes, may it please your honor" re-
pied the solicitor; but of course, if il
your Judgment
''Never mind about that" interrupted
the Judge; Il am satisfied that you must
have good grounds for making such a re-
communication. Let the matter be dis
posed OF as you suggested"
There was buzz of surprise for mo-
ment. Then other business engaged at.
tentiOn, and the matter was soon forgotten.
l had no interest in the case. and vet [
coulG not help wondering what had caused
the Judge to change his mind. l found
out all about it long afterward.
When the court adjourned for dinner on
Ile day when these events occurred, Judge
Black went straight to little barber shop,
and, throwing himself into chair, called
for shave. There was only one barber in
the establishment. and he was a white
man. He had villainouS face; and his
build showed him to be a man of great
strength. When he recognized his custo-
mer peculiar look came over his face He
stepped to the door and glanced up and
down the street. 1t was cold and sleety,
| and not a soul was to be seen. He closed
the door and proceeded to attend to his
work. He lathered the Judges face care
fully, and then took up his razor
''Jedge," said he, Il spose yer dunno
mel"
NO" answered the judge, CURLY.
MY name is jeff Orion, an you've got
a little case on yer docket again me-"
He stood in front Of the judge and
fumbed with the glittering razor.
''Well, that is matter of court business"
said the judge, and will be disposed Of in
court at the proper time.''
'Jesso." asserted Orion, "JessO; but,
jedge, I'm afeard yer don't understand the
sitooation. Don't be so blasted salty about
it. When the solicitor was willin' ter mol
pros the case what call had you ter inter
fere?''
81 can't discuss the case here, remarked
the Judge.
Yer KANT. On. yer yer kin, Jedge,@
and the ruffian took his customers chin in
one hand, while he fourished the razor
with the other.
Now" he continued, Eyer see I'm
peaceable, law-abidin' man. I make no
threats, as some men might do. This case
is regular life and death business with
me. I'd jest as soon cut my throat as cut
any other burned mans as tel be tried i'll
yer court. An yet yer. see, ledge.
I'm O maxim of
a-telln' yer friendly like, an open an above
board how stand. Before I'll be jerked
up an go through that racket about Juror
look upon the prisoner, and prisoner look
upon the juror. an all that devilment. I'm
liable ter kill myself or any other human in
my way"
He looked at the judge with tigerish
glare in his eyes and tried the edge of his
razor with his thumb.
During this conversation Judge Blanks
face had turned all sorts of colors, and
finally dead white. He saw that no one
was likely to come into the shop while the
storm ragged. The idea struck him thai
Orion was frenZed and might do something
violent. His heart beat unanimously. and
he felt alarmed in earnest. With a feel
ing of contempt for himself he said pleas
antly:
''Well, you have good face, Orion, and
have about made up my mind to let the
solicitor have his way and drop the
case"
THAT would be an act OF justice ter an
inherent man," said Orion.
NO doubt of it." was the reply. ''Ir
fact. after looking at you. and talking with
yon am convinced that you are all right
Rest easy, Mr.. Orion. the case shall be mol
| pross'd.'
''Fust thing after dinner?" said Orion.
1.-THE very first thing"
''Shore an sartin, jedge?"
''Sure and certain"
''Pon yer word of honor, as scholar an
a gentleman an Jedge?"
ION my honor"
"S'help yer God?"
eyes"
''An hopin' yer may die If yer go back
on yer word?"
yes"
Bully for you. Jedge. l knew you'd
see that jestce was done. Now let me
finish the shave"
The result the reader knows. Judge
Blank never said anything about it, but
Orion let it out when he was in his cups.
He may have embellished it little, but the
Cottonyilie people believed him.
MILK Punches.