Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-12-05
A SENSE OF JUSTICE.


All the people of Yoakum and of the
country district round about were going
to court. 1t was the day on which the case
of ITobley VS.. Dutton was to be tried.
The plaintiff, Deacon Silas Hobley, and
his wife were on their way to town in an
old farm wagon They did not lack bet
ter vehicle. but the deacon was anxious to
impress upon his neiShbors the fact that
the cart in which they had for years seen
him jogging about the country was no
more It was on account of the smashing
of this cart that the suit had been brought.
The plaintiff and his wife were labOring
under too much excitement to feel inclined
to talk Mrs. Hohley had asked Slas sew
pral times whether he thought the case
would be decided in his favor. At last he
answered:
well, | dunno Sometimes | kinder
wisht had took the fifty dollars compro
mise that they offered. Course we know
,he cart wasn't with no two and a half
which I'm asking for damages. And al
low Abner-Jedge Peck-he knows it well
enough; but then he has n sense of justice
and knows Col. Dutton he can better afford
to give two fifty than can TO take jest
fifty for that cart. So it REILLY all rests
with the iedge-'n' we can't tell what
he'll do"
"Well, jest don't blieve," said the dea-
cons wife, that Abner would go m de
eide against US"
The defendant, Col. Miles Dutton, his
daughter Ethel and Mr. Ralph Elliott,
ESQ. his attorney, came to town in a very
swell turnout, the horses whereof wore
tan colored harness and large, clanking
t,.I- al che . ha no
tin. the coachman, who had been response
bic for the breaking up of Deacon IIobley's
cart Miss Ethel, who would come in spite
of the fact that the colonel had declared
she should not, wore a taking light green
froCk and II smart hat, and over her shout
der jauntly swung checkered parasoll
The country people whom they passed
from time to time along the road could not
but admire her. although they made vari
ous unpleasant remarks about 1.-THE way
thea buttons was always putin on dog"
".'oniouud it, they are coming" growl
ed The colonel, as the high steppers dis
tar"nd crp bob tailed caravan, consisting
OF "a ia ! sulhy and Il gig THE people Of
this internal place seem to have "A veritable
passion for litigation.
"rhey must be interested in something,
papa said Miss Ethel; "of course they
don have any of the things to go to that
we have in he city; 50 why shouldn't they
make the most of these court things--de
cisions and cases and all that, you know"
These last few words were delivered in
confidential fashion to Mr.. Ralph Elliott,
at whom she darted from time to time,
when the colonel was not looking, an arch
side glance There was an understanding
between the two-a little ambiguous as
yet, owing to the fact that the colonel did
not much approve of the young lawyer.
"To be sure" assented Elliott; land it is
plain that Hobley VS., Dutton is destined
to he one of the greatest events of the
YOakum season."
"Fudge!" exclaimed the colonel, who
was in a very bad humor indeed; sit all
comes from their insane admiration of that
ancient alcalde, Judge Peck, He has been
justice of the peace in the Yoakum town
ship for the last twenty years, and the
people hereabouts regard him with the
same awe that you might a whole bench
full of lord chancellors and chief justices "
docs he know much law" inquired FL
lott, passing his hand over the pile of calf
bound volumes on the seat beside him.
About as much as lizard" answered
the colonel
"He reminds me of Sancho Panzo," said
]
and tries to he fair and you ought to see
what a funny round pink head he has,
with fuzzy hair on the back of it."
"A sense of Justice" roared the colonel
while Elliott began to laugh; II have
never seen any manifestation of it. No
sooner had | bought this place. Elliott
than these people began to take advantage
of every excuse to drag me into court
And have been worsted every time. OF
course | can appeal"-
But it isn't worth whilef" said Elliott.
yes, partly that. However as no one
ever appeals from Judge Peck's decisions
don't wish to run the risk of being mob
bed for what they would consider an out
rageous insult to their judiciary
"From what | hear" said Elliott. a faint
trace of anxiety showing through his care
less good humor, this honorable court il
not likely to look with much favor on the
efforts Of a stranger in the bailiwick-sucl
as am"
ooh, no." replied the colonel, grimly
"he will size You mp mt the outset as a cit,
dude lawyer, and you won't be in it at all.
"You are so encouraging, papa criet
Ethel. Then, when the colonel turned Il
spe"k for moment with the driver, sh
put her hand in Elliott's and whispered
al know you will win and just think, i
you do
Il hope So" whispered the other "bu
just think, if | don't"-
The room where the famous Judge Al
ner PECK held court, in and for the town
ship OF Yoa.,um, WIS over "the store
small hail, lighted by several curtainles
windows which stared through the grim
white walls. The floor was bare; ther
were plenty of Lenches for spectators. an
few chairs The lawyers had a long pin
table, the edges of its top serrated wit
many ancient WRITINGS by jackknivc
The co'.-E occupied an exalted position o