The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-11
THE JUDGE AND THE BABY.

The Judge of the county court was In trou-
bic.
He had adjourned his court, the jurors had
cone home, and he was left alone with the
sheriff.
No--not entirely alone-a sallow-faced
woman in limp and faded Bingham sunbon-
net and limper and more faded homespun
dress crouehed down by the door of the court
house with baby in her lap.
The Judge stepped outside for a moment
and looked down the one struggling street
which constituted the main thoroughfare of
Blue Rock.
A dreary, drizzling rain was falling, and
there was scarcely sign of life i'll the little
village.
"Jim"
In response to the call the sheriff followed the
Judge-he was a big, tall fellow with a good
natured face, and his shamblng walk Impress
ed one with an idea of lis laziness and general
ncapacty.
"Jim," said the Judge, ''I'll be burned if I
know what to do with Sally Black"
The sheriff hitched up his baggy jeans trou-
sers, and then scratched his head.
Were in fix, Jedge," was his reply, and
broad grin spread over his face
Undoubtedly the Judge was in fix-he
knew that well enough, without hearing from
the sheriff. Sally Black had been convicted of
vagrancy in his court, and he had sentenced
her to six months imprisonment-a sentence
which was to be carried out by knocking down
the prisoner to the highest bidder.
AS u RUE, inc prisoners ulSpOSeu Oh III tnlS
manner were negroes, and the farmers of the
country were always ready to bid for them
and put them to work on their plantations,
where thoy were treated like the other field
hands until their term of service expired.
The farmers around Blue Rock were sim
ple-minded, old-fashioned set of people, and
the county court in their eyes was not mill
of criminal justice-it was merely an agen-
cy. through which they. were sup,
piled with laborers. They wanted
Sally mt oc pyn
because she was the only regular tramp and
beggar in the country-a good-for-nothing
white woman, who had come from no one
knew where, and was evidently going to the
devil
But when their wish was gratifed- when
the forlorn woman in her rags and desolation
had been tried, convicted and sentenced, the
honest countrymen slipped out of the court
room with downcast faces and started home
ward Sheriff Jim spent an hour on stump
in front OF the temple Of justice vainly en-
deavoring to auction off his human merchan-
disc, but nobody would offer a bid
OF course it was no feeling OF compassion
for Sally Black that held them back--it was
the baby
'Blly Belts would take her." said tho
Judge, coming out of a brown study. 81
think, Jim, IN send you down to his house."
'All right, Jedge." answered jim,
His honor looked inside the door, Sally
Black still sat On tic floor leaning against tho
wall with her baby "a her lap. Size aid not
look up at the Judges stern face but the lit-
tic girl did, and began to laugh and crow in
spasm Of delight.
The Judge hastily beat retreat.
"Jim," he said, you needn't go after
Belts"
"AiI right, Jedgep
"The fact is, Belts is, not the right sort to
have a convict, he's hard man-too rough,
you know"
"Jesso, Jedge."
Gwen lock her up in Jail until tomorrow"
said the other.
The Judge walked inside the courthouse
and stopped down TO tell tho woman of his de-
termination.
A pair of blue eyes flashed at him in riotous
meuiment, and pair Of pink fists struck at
him, and then the child's long fingers en-
twined themselves in his long beard.
zoos oo?' chirruped the baby
His honor pushed his captor back, very
gently, and looked at the sheriff.
"She'5 peart gal" remarked Jim.
The Judge bolted out OF the door, followed
by the faithful officer
"Jim this is getting serious"
"Looks like tough old case" volunteered
the sheriff.
81 cam lock that baby up in our dirty old
Jail, and / won't"
GLOW will you fix it, Jedge?" asked the
other. "Under the law we can't bid for the
prisoner"
Il know what I'll do said the Judge-I say,
Bob, come here!" he shouted to u man ON tile
other side Of the street
Bob crossed over very reluctantly. He was
a tenant On a small farm belonging to the
Judge and he WAS behind with his rent.
lie expected to DO dunned, but he was mis-
taken.
In word the situation was explained to
him.
"But 1 can't bfd," he objected, 81 amt
able"
On it. mani" shouted the Judge. "offer
But can't pay that I owe you fifty dol
lars now"
"Confound YOU'D roared the Judge. 'Do as
tell YOU and you shall have you own time
about paying the back rent"
GAN right" replied the fellow slowly, "but
Sally Black cannot work, and cannot afford
to feed her"
.'see here, Bob" growled tho Judge, with
determined look. "you lust nut this woman
and her baby in the little cabin on the hill.
They won't starye. I'll send them enough to
eat"
Bob had no moro TO say. It was good bar
gain for him, and in less than five minutes he
was marching down the street, followed by
Sallie Black and the baby.
The next day the Judge sent in his resigna-
ton to the governor
To his friends he made very satisfactory
explanation.
''Under our special act" he said, 'I receive
no salary. am paid in fees and / don't get
any. Then ] have to lend the prisoners money
to pay their fines, and it is getting 80 that /
will have 10 support some Of the conyicts.
This court business will run me in debt if /
stick to it, and that is why resigned"
SO Sally Black and the baby were quartered
In a comfortable log cabin on the Judges plan
tatiOn, and their ratons were sent to them
every week from the big white house over tho
river.
What became Of them after Sally's term was
| out?
| The Blue Rock people would laugh at such
a question. They know the Judge. Sally
Black needs no written lease--no contract with
witnesses. She will stay in the little cabin as
long rs she and the baby like it, and the neigh
bors think she is settled there for life.
| The OLD COLONEL.