The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-16

And Won His Cause by the Glitter
OF His Eye

movement and business are visible
: Cottonville, you know, was finished
and fenced in more than half 8 cen.
e tury ago. Since that time not q
nail has been driven and, with the
exception of little whitewashing
nothing 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 So
licitor-Gene,al had just called the
Judges attention to an indictment
against one Jefferson Orion. The
; charge was assault with intent to
murder, but the Solicitor said that
he was satisfied he could not secure
a conviction. and he therefore rec
ommended that the indictment be
mol pros'd. The Judge frowned,
and remarked in his sternest tones
| take different view of it, Mr..
Solicitor. Itwould be reducing JUS
tice to child's play to do as you sug-
gest. The case will be called after
dinner, and it will be tried unless a
proper showing is made for a con-
tinuance.
His Honor's tartness caused lit
tie stir The Solicitor turned red,
and there was breeze of whisper
ing all over the courtroom
In the afternoon | was on hand to
witness the trial of Ortor. To the
surprise of everybody, it did not
come of. After taking his seat Judge
Blank, with an embarrassed look,
SAID:
! Mr.. Solicitor, | believe you stat
ed this morning that you were in IA
yor OF having the Orton case mol
pros'd ?"
Yes, may it please Your Honor"
replied the Solicitor; but of course,
if in your Judgment"
Never mind, about that" inter-
rupted the Judge Il am satisfied
that you must have good grounds
for making such recommendation
Let the matter be disposed Ofas you
suggested"
There was buzz of surprise for a
moment. Other business engaged
attention, and the matter was soon
orgotten. l had no interest in the
case, and yet | could not help won
ering what caused the Judge TO
change his mind. | found out
about it long afterward.
When the Court adjourned for
dinner on the day when these events
occurred, Judge Blank went straight
to little barber shop, and throwing
himself into a chair, called for
shave. There was only one barber
IN the establishment, and he was
white man. He had a villainous
face, and his build showed him to
be man of great strength. When
he recognized his customer, a pecul-
lar look came over his face. He
stepped to the door, and glanced up
and down the street 1t was cold
and sleety, and not soul was to be
seen. He closed the door, and pro-
ceeded to attend to his work He
lathered the judges face carefully,
and then took up his razor.
Jedge," said he, Il 'spose yer
dunno mel"
No." answered the Judge, curtly.
MY name is JEFF Orton, an you've
got little case on your docket agin
me-
He stood in front of the Judge,
and fumbled with the glittering
razor"
Well, that is a matter of court
business" said the Judge, land will
be disposed of in court at the proper
time.
Jesse" asserted Orton, "jesso
but, Jedge, I'm afeared yer don't un-
derstand the sitooation. Don't be
80 blasted salty about it. When the
Solicitor was wilIin' ter mol pros
the case, what call had. you ter in
terfere ?"
Il can't discuss the case here, re-
marked the Judge.
Yer KANT Oh, yes. yer kin,
Jedge." and the ruffian took his GUS
toners chin in one hand, while he
fiourlshed the razor with the other.
Now" be continued. yer see I'm
a peaceable, law abidin' man. /
make no threats, as some men might
do. This case is a regular life and
death business with me. I'd lest as
soon cut my throat or cut any other
burned mans, as ter be tried in yer
court An yet, yer see, Jedge, I'm
maxim no threats. I'm Jest
tellin' yer friendly like, an open an
above board how | stand. Before
l'll be jerked up an go through that |
racket about Juror look upon the
prisoner, an prisoner look upon the
juror, an all that devilment, I'm IL
able to kill myself, or any other hu-
man in my way"
He locked at the Judge with IT,
gerish glare in bis 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 "A dead white. He
saw that no one was likely TO come /
into the shop while the storm ragged.
The idea struck him that Orton was !
frenzied, and might do something !
violent. His heart beat tumultuous- /
ly, and ne felt alarmed in earnest. /
With feeling Of contempt fer him
self, he said, pleasantly:
Well, you have a good face. Or |
ton, and / have about made ND my
mind to let the solicitor have his |
way. and drop the case"
That would be an an act Of jes-
tice ter an inherent man. said 4
Orton.
No doubt Of it." was the reply. /
" In fact, after looking at you, and /
talking with YOU, | am convinced /
that you are all right. Rest easy.
Mr.. Orton, the case shall be mol
pross'd."
Fust thing after dinner?" said |
Orton.
1.-THE very first thing"
Shore an sartin, Jedge ?"
"Sure and certain"
"'Pon yer word of honor as a /
scholar. an a gentleman an a