Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-03-29
HOW THEJUDGE ARRANGED

Jurors had gone home, and he was
left alone with the Sheriff.
No not entirely alone-a sallow
laced woman in a limp and faded
bingham sunbonnet and a limper and
more faded homespun dress crouched
down by the door of the Court House
with baby in her lap.
The Judge stepped outside for q
moment and looked dogn the one
struggling street which constituted
the main thoroughfare of Blue Rock.
A dreary, drizzling rain was falling,
and there was scarcely a sign of life
in the little village.
"Jimp
In response to the call the sheriff
followed the Judge-he was a big, tall
fellow, with good natured face, and
his stumbling walk impressed one
with an idea of his laziness and gem
eral incapacity.
'Jim," said the Judge, ON be
burned if l know what to do with
Sally Black"
The sheriff hitched up his baggy
jeans trousers and then scratched his
head.
Were in fix, Jedge," was his re-
ply, and a broad grin spread over his
face.
Undoubtedly the Judge was in a
fiI-he knew that well enough with
out hearing from the sheriff. Sally
Black had been convicted ofvagrancy
in his court, and he had sentenced
her to six months imprisonment-a
sentence which was 10 be carried out
by knocking down the prisoner to
the highest bidder.
As a rule, the prisoners disposed of
In this manner were negroes, and the
farmers of the country were always
ready to bid for therh and put them
to work on their plantations, where
they were treated like the other hands
until their term of service expired.
The farmers around Blue Rock were
a supplemented, old-fashioned set of
people, and the county court in their
eyes was nota mill ofcriminal Justice
1T was merely an agency through
which they We're supplied with labor
ers. They wanted Sally Black put
through, as they expressed il, be-
cause 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 gratified
when the forlorn woman in her rags
and desolation had been tried, CON
yIcted and sentenced, the honest
countrymen slipped out of the court
room with downcast faces and started !
homeward. Sheriff Jim spent an
hour on a stump in front of the tenn
pie OF justice vainly endeavoring to |
auction off his human merchandise, |
but nobody would offer bid.
Of course it was no feeling of com |
passion for Sally Black that they
held them back-it was the baby!
Billy Belts would take her." said
the Judge, coming out of a brown
study. Il think, Jim, I'll send you
down to the house"
"All right, Jedge," answered Jim.
His Honor looked inside the door.
Sally Black still sat on the floor
leaning against the wall with her
baby in her lap. She did not look
up at hesJudge's stern face, but the
little girl did, and began to laugh
and crow in spasm of delight.
The Judge hastily beat q retreat.
Jim" he said, you needn't go
after Belts.
"All right, Jedge."
THE fact is, Belts is not the right
sort to have a convict; he's a hard
man-too rough, you know"
"Jesso, Jedge.
"We'll lock her up in Jail until to-
said the other.
The Judge walked inside the court
house and stopped down to tell the
woman of his determination.
A pair of blue eyes flashed at him
n riotou merriment, and a pair of ,
pink fists struck at him and then
he childs long fingers entwined
themselves in his long beard.
"Oo's oo?" chirruped the baby.
His Honor pushed hiscaptor back, I
,ery gently, and then looked at the
Sheriff.
"she's a peart gal," remarked
i'm.
The Judge bolted out of the door, I
by the faithful officer. J
Jim, this is getting serious"
Looks like tough old case" =
the Sheriff. 7
Il can't lock that baby up in our I
Iirty old Jail, and won't" '
"How will you fix it, ledger" asked
he other. ''Under the law we can't j
id for the prisoner. 9
Il know what III do" said the 4
udge-'I say, Bob, come hereI' he 2
houted to man on the other side I
i the street,
Bob crossed over very reluctantly. j
]e was a tenant on small farm be- s