Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-08
HEARD IN THE COURT ROOMS.
Queer Tales orJudges and Lawyers.

Among odd stories current at the court
house among Judges, lawyers and
clerks who take delight in collecting and
repeating them, are the following:
The obstinacy of a single juror, as 10
well known, sometimes defeats the ends
of justice, tor time at least, and causes
great annoyance to the eleven who are
locked up with him. A case in which
something that took the form of obstinacy,
but was of an entirely different nature,
aud caused long delay IN the jury box, oc-
Cured not long ago. A jury retired,
after listening to the evidence and hearing
the law clearly expounded in a simple
action on contract. The twelfth man was
a little, young, red-faced German, whose
hair stood stitfly up and helped to give
his stOlid face a rebelliOuS look. He wore
a long wastcOat, which he was con-
stantly compelled 10 pull down over his
stomach, which was Aidermanic beyond
his years, and short a.iacket, from
one of the capaciOus pockets of which
protruded large parcel. As he entered
the jury room. and the door was closed
and looked behind him, "ShentlemaDs,"
he said, II is all right" lie said nothing
more, but placing chair in one corner of
the room he drew forth the brown paper
bundle from his pocket and opening IL
revealed an ample supply of German
bread, Frankfort sausage and cheese, Win
which he proceeded to gorge himself. The
eleven earnest men who were with him,
anxious to have done with the case and
return TO their several places of business,
gathered around the table and consulted
together as to what it was best to do with
"the stubborn Old Dutchman," AS they
called him, VINO, il seemed apparent, had
MADE us his mind to oppose tue rest OF
them IN what they all knew was a right
eous verdict. Tue object OF their wrath
paid no attention TO them, and seemed
ensrOssed in the pleasing occupation in
which be was engaged. At length one of
the OILERS turned to him and said i'm
PATIENTLY:
Look here, haven't you anything to say
at all ~
With his mouth tull OF bread and cheese
and without looking up for moment he
responded in thick voice: $50 on, Pm
all rght.' After a time the foreman
made up his mind that there were eleven
for the plaintiff and one resOlutelv tor the
defendant. Approaching the twelfth man
at length he sad:
"WeIl, what is your opinion p
"WeIl," said the German, munchlng
away, "whatI5 your opiniOn"
''Why, we're all for the plaintiff, and"
"Nell, vell," exclaimed the suspected
juryman, 'vOt for you takes so long for?
DoUs all right. Dots VOt | links too"
AT this there was general laugh, and
the jury, in great good humOr, filed into
court, presented Its verdict and was dis
charged.
A prominent lawyer, who had became
so much addicted to the use of intoXicat-
ing beverages that at times the habit
Oyercame him, one day entered the court
room in which his friend and former law.
partner was the presiding Judge. The
counsellor, who had been drinking freely
but did not at first show it, took seat at
the table in front OF the bench. A case
in which he was interested was called,
and ne took part with much gravity and
decOrum in The examination OF the wit
nesses. A question propOunded by his
opponent was objected to by him, and the
Judge after listening to brief discussion,
decided against his friend. This seemed
TO excite the alcohol within him to an
unwOnted degree. Springlng to his feet
he exclaimed:
"ouch a decision as that is 80 pTeposter-
Gus that will forever hide myself behind
the shadow of Blackstone and will retire
from the prOfession" He seized his hat,
planted it on the back of his head and
rushed from the court room. His friends
I'VE took him out and picked him up"
said the clerk in relating the story, land
he came back after recess and made full
apology to the court, after which the case
was proceeded with and resulted In a
verdict in his favor. In speaking OF the
occurrence afterwards he said: 1T
was not | that was speaking, but the
liquor that was in me- lie made up his
mind to give up drinking altogether, and
is now one of our best known and most
successful practitioners"
One Of the Superior Court attendants,
having brought the luncheon of one Of the
Judges TO him at recess one day, wrapped
the chicken bones and crumbs in brown
paper after his honor had done full
justice in the case, and threw the bundle
into cuepidOr in the corridor. Soon
after he saw a man, whose face had long
been familiar around the courts. stealthily
snatch the parcel and thrust it into his
pocket. Just then the Judge passed by
and Officer Kane told him what he mad
seen. "Why that is impossible" eX-
claimed the wearer of The tigUrative
ermne. "That is b, who few years
ago was one of the ablest practitioners in
this court"
81 am not mistaken" replied the at
tendant. II have seen him do it before.
Watch him now. He is going down the
stairs and there is a stump OF cigar in
his path. See If he doesn't pick it up"
Mr.. Kane was prophet. The man
whom they were observing quickly pos
and went his way.