The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-02-08
COURT DAY IN FIFE.
Legal tribunals in which the jews Harp
Plays an Important Part.

Legal Tribunals in which the jews Harp
Plays an Important Part.
The gala dresses are not little start
ling. Here is dignified old gentlnman
arrayed in secondhand tunic OF ma
rine, in much the same plight as to but
tons as its owner as to teeth; near him
stands fine young village policeman,
whose official gravity is not enhanced
by the swallow-tailed coat of niger
minstrel; while the background is taken
up by bevy of village maidens clad in
gorgeous velvet pinafores, who are gig
Cling after the manner of their white sis
ters until they are fixed by the stern
gray eye Of the chief policeman,
which turns their expression into
one of that preternatural solemni-
ty they wear in church. Inc
court house, native building carpeted
with mats, is now packed with natives,
sitting cross-legged, only small place
being reserved in front of the table for
the accused and witnesses. The magis-
trate takes his seat, and his scribe, sit
ting on the floor at his side, prepares his
writing materials to record the SEN
tences. The dignity with which the old
gentleman adjusts his shirt collar and
clears his throat is little marred when
he produces from his bosom what should
have been pair of pince-nez, seeing
that it was secured by string round his
neck, but is in fact jews-harp. With
the soft notes of this instrument the
man of law is wont to beguile the tedium
of dull case. But although the spec
tacle of Lord Coleridge gravely per-
forming on the jew's-harp in court would
at least excite surprise in England, 1t
proyokes no smile here. The first case Is
called on. Reiterated calls for Samuela
and Timothe produce two meek-faced
youths of eighteen and nineteen, whoslt-
ting tailor-fashion before the table, are
charged with fowl stealing. They plead
mot guilty" and the owner of the fowls
being sworn deposes that, having been
awakened at night by the voice OF a
favorite hen in angry remonstrance, ne
ran out of his house, and after hot chase
captured the accused red-handed in two
senses, for they were pluclsing his hen
while still alive. Quite unmoved by this
tale, Vatureba seems to listen only tc
the melancholy notes of his jew's-harp
but the witness is a chief and man o.
influence withal, and a period OF aweo
silence follows his accusation, broker
only by subdued twanging from the
bench But Vatureba's eyes are brigh
and piercing, and they have been tixet
for some minutes on the wretched prison
ers. He has not yet opened his lip
during the case, and as the jew's-harl
is not capable of much expression
it is with some interest we await TIT
sentence. Suddenly the music ceases
the instrument is withdrawn from th
mouth, the oracle Is about to speak
Alas! he utters but two words, "Vul
tolu," three months), and there peal
out Indignantly triumphant strait
from the jew's-harp. But the prosecute
starts up with protest. One of the &C
cused is his nephew, he explains and h
! only wished light sentence to be i'm
posed. Three months for one fowi is s
severe; besides, if he has three month
he must go to the central Jail and no
} work out his sentence in his own dis
trict. Again there is silence, and tn
t jew's-harp has changed from trump
: into thoughtful melancholy. At lengt
it is withdrawn, and the oracle speak
r again: 'Bogi tolu," (three days.)-
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