The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-11-13
coURr.noUsE SHADOWS.

l
Dementsd People Who Await Decisions 4
the New York Courts.
II want to zee the Judge
"Don't insist; you can't sec him."
''But must. must have decision.
I am tired of this endless delay with
opt cause
''Oh. You want to see him about the
decision? Why. that will be given to-
day or tomorrow. Better go to the
court room.'
"Ah, at last, thank your The
speaker was woman about the middle
age, neatly attired in q black gown
with black veil thrown back from
her bonnet. Her voice was full of
sweet tones and sounded pleasantly as
she thanked, with half smothered
SIGH of relief, the tall man who had
answered her questions. She stood at
the half-opened door of the ante-rOom
of the private rooms of the Judges of
the Supreme Court. The man stood
with his hand on the door knob and
watched every motion of the woman
Is she spoke.
He was a clerk of the court and she
was one of the many poor. demented
creatures who haunt the Court House
waiting for decisions which never will
be given.
After the woman had moved away
Clerk knight said: THAT woman has
been coming here for years at intervals
of two weeks. At times she can be
seen sitting all dav in the court room
patiently waiting for the Judge on the
bench to hand down his decision in a
case she thinks is before the court.
Some years ago she became insane and
her property was put into the hands of
trustees, who pay her living expenses
and literally provide for all her wants.
At the time she was committed to
an asylum, but now she is at liberty,
being considered harmless. In most
respects she is quite sane, but on one
or two points she is crazy as March
hare. When she comes here it is diff
cult to get her away. Sometimes ]
speak softly to her and other times
have to be apparently very cross. You
can't tell when these cranks will draw
knife or pistol. SO 1 have to he
mighty careful. She will go and sit in
the courtroom till the room is closed,
and will then go home. and will proba-
bly, not think of the matter for some
time. but when she does she will come
right down here.'
''Are there many such cases?a
'.Many? Well. l should say so. One
of the best known faces in this Court
House is that of a German who some
six years ago was found insane. His
wife was made the custodian of his
property. He thinks he is well now
and believes that a suit has been
brought to place his property back in
his possession. 1t is tedious matter,
snail-like but sure, he says when he
speaks of the long-expecved decision.
Every day he comes and takes his place
in court. At recess he goes home to
dinner. returns for the afternoon ses-
sion and sits. waiting patiently. till the
Judge leaves the BENCH
do they ever make any disturb
ancep"
1.-The cranks? Oh, no. They sit
patiently, waiting in listless fashion,
not interested in the proceedings in the
slightest degree, and unnoticed by the
frequenters of the courts. When
Judge enters or goes out of room the
court officers are always on the alert
to see that these cranks do not slip up
and play any pranks with knife OF
pistol"
'.DO they annoy the Judges?''
mo: they don't get a chance TO
come in contact with them. Their
letters sonnet mes are very abusive.
filthy and calculated to make Judge
feel uncomfortable. but we get to know
the handwriting and intercept them.
The ingenuity these people use to be
annoying in this way is very great"
Most of the men and women who |
doris labor under the delusiOn that they |
are interested in some case or another. |
They enter the building and proceed
calmly, quietly and in businesslke |
way to their several court rooms and |
take seat. They are seldom inclined |
to talk of their affairs, and regard all |
persons about them as in some way or |
other connected with their opponents.
When they do say any thing it is gener-
ally in low whisper. Most of them
are interested in imaginary suits as
principals. but one old gentleman has
been going to court for ten years to
give testimony concerning the signing
of will which was admitted to pro-
bate twenty years ago. During the
weary months when the will was being
contested the old gentleman, then in
his prime. was witness. Years after
ward his once strong mind broke from
the burden put upon it, and by a Gu
rious freak he became possessed by the
idea that the famous will case was still
on trial and his testimony had been
called for. Almost any day he can be
found in the Surrogate's Court with his
old fashioned. high. straight brimmed
hat filled with q packet of musty
papers. securely held together by q
piece of red tape. patiently waiting his
name to be called that he may give his
testimony.
The hard fought battles at law, the
disappointments. defeats and victims of
years ago are to he recalled by the faces
of at least . score of similar old gentle
men whom the bootblack and the
apple vender point out as ''court house
cranks."-N. y Herald.
Concerning Orchids.
1t is difficult to describe to one not a
botanist just what an orchid is. 1t is