The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-01-07
HOW HE PLEADED.
He Won His Cause by the Glitter of
His Eye.


atlanta Constitution, comes twice q
year. The town then revives little,
and some indications of life, movement
and business are visible. COttonville,
you know, was finished and fenced in
more than half a century ago. Since
that time not nail has been driven,
and, with the exception of a little white
washing, nothing has been done in the
limo of repairs.
Once when Judge Blank, was on the
bench l dropped into the court room
to pass an idle hour. The solicitor gen.
eral had just called the judges atten-
ton to an indictment against one Jeffer-
son Orion. The charge was assault
with intent to murder, but the solicitor
said that he was satisfied he could not
secure q conviction, and he there
fore recommended that the indictment
be mol pros Il. The judge frowned, and
said IL his strrnest tones:
81 take different view Of it, Mr.. Sol
icitor, 1t would be reducing justice
to child's play to do as you suggest.
The case will be called after dinner,
and it will be tried unless a proper
showing is made for continuance.
His honor's tartness caused a little
stir. The solicitor turned red, and there
was a breeze of whispering all over the
courtroom.
In the afternoon l was on hand to
witness the trial of Orion. To the sur
prise of every body it did not come off:
After taking his seat, Judge Blank, with
an embarrassed look, said:
''Mr. Solicitor, believed you stated
this morning that you were in favor of
having the Orion case mol pros'd.'
Eyes, may it please your honor" re-
piled the solicitor; ''but, of course, if in
your Judgement
"Nevermind about that" interrupted
the Judge: Il am satisfied that you
must have good grounds for making
such recommendation. Let the mat
ter be disposed of as you suggested"
There was buz of surprise for a mo-
mcnt. Then other business engaged at
tention, and the matter was soon for
gotten. had no interest in the case,
and vet l could not help wondering
what had caused the Judge to change
1: .~>;r~l fo,,,J o,,+ al about - Ix>cc
When the court adjourned for dinner
on the day when these events occurred,
Judge Blank went straight to little
barber-shop, and, throwing himself in
to a chair, called for o shave. There
was only one barber in the establish
ment, and he was white man. He had
n yillainous face, and his build showed
him to be man of great strength.
When he recognized his customer pc
cular look came over his face. He
stepped to the door and glanced up an
down the street. 1t was cold and sleety,
ana not s. soul was to be seen. He
closed the door and proceeded to attend
to work He lathered the judges face
and Ui,cn took up his razor.
"Jedge,' said he, Il sposa We dunno
metz
mo" answered the Judge, CURLY.
'My name is jeff Orion, an you've
got little case on yer docket agin me-"
He stood in front of the judge and
with the glittering razor.
"Well, that is Il matter of court bust
ness" said the Judge, land will be dis
posed of in court at the proper time.
"Jcsso," asserted Orion, 'jesso; but,
ledge, I'm afeared 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 interfcre?'
Il can't discuss the case here" re-
marked the judge.
Eyer KANT! Oh, yes, yer kin, jedge,'
md the ruffian took his customers chin
n one hand, while he flourished the
,azor in the other.
"Now," he continued, Eyer sec I'm
oeaceab}e, law-abidin' man. I make no
threats, as some men might do. This
case is a regular life and death business
with me. I'd just as soon cut my throat
Or cut any other burned mans, as ter be
5ried in yer court. An yet, yer see,
ledge, I'm maxim no threats. I'm
Jest tellin' yer, friendly like, an open
and above board, how | stand. Before
I'll be jerked an 60 through that racket
about juror look upon the prisoner, and
prisoner look upon the juror, an all that
levilment, I'm liable to kill myself or
my other human in my way"
He looked at the Judge with a tigerish
glare in his eyes, and tried the edge of
lis razor with his thumb.
During this conversation Judge
Blanks face had turned all sorts of
;olors, and finally dead white. He saw
hat no one was likely to come into the
shop while the storm ragged. The idea
struck him that Orion was frenzied, and
night do something violent. His heart
peat unanimously, and he felt alarmed
n earnest. With feeling of contempt
or himself, he said, pleasantly:
"Well, you have good face, Orion,
md have about made up my mind to
ct the solicitor have his way and drop
he case"
''That would be an act of justice ter an
nncrcent man. said Orion.
mo doubt of it, was the reply. "In
act, after looking at you, and talking
With you, am convinced that you are
III right. Rest easy, Mr.. Orion. the
'ase shall be mol pros'd."
''Fust thing after dinner?''
"The very first thing"
"Shorc an sartin, jedgep"
''Sure and certain"
"Pon yer word of honor as a scholar
n gentleman an a jedge?"
St(1n INV h1,oor,