San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-12-23
A SENSE OF JUSTICE.

All Cne people OF lOakum ana OF tne
country district round about were going
to court. 1t was the day on which the case
of Hobley VS.. Dutton was to be tried.
The plaintiff, Deacon Silas Hobley, and
his wife w"r" on their way to town in an
old far on. They did not lack bet
ter vel! : the deacon was anxious to
impress 4 his neighbors the fact that
the cart in which they had for years seen
him jogging about the country was no
more. 1t 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. Hobley had asked Silas sew
eral times whether he thought the case
would be decided in his favor. At last he
answered.:
swell, | dunno. Sometimes I kinder
wisht had took the fifty dollars compro-
mise that they offered Course we know
the 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 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 jedge--'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 u.s."
The defendant, Col Miles Dutton, his
daughter Ethel and Mr.. Ralph Elliott,
ESQ.,, his attorney, came to town in very
swell turnout, the horses whereof wore
tan colored harness and large, clanking
nickel chains On the box sat Peter Mar
tin, the coachman, who had been response
BILE for the breaking up of Deacon Hobley's
cart. Miss Ethel, who would come i'll spite
of the fact that the colonel had declared
she should not, wore a taking light green
frock and a smart hat, and over her shout
der jauntily swung Il checkered parasoli
The country people whom they passed
from time to time along the road could not
but admire her, although they made vari
Gus unpleasant remarks about "the way
them buttons was always putin on dog"
"Confound it! they are coming" growl-
ed the colonel, as the high steppers dis
tanced one bob tailed caravan, consisting
of farm sulky and gig. "The people Of
this internal place seem to have a veritable
passion for litigation"
"They must be interested in something,
papa" said Miss Ethel; "of course they
don't have any of the things to go to that
we have in the city; so 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 a
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
-
vet, owing to the fact that the colonel did
not much approve of the young lawyer.
N"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; ''it 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 whole bench
full of lord chancellors and chief justices"
docs he know much laws" inquired Ell.
lott, passing his hand over the pile of calf
bound volumes on the seat beside him.
About as much as a lizard" answered
the colonel.
He reminds me of Sancho Panzo," said
Ethel. "They say he has IL sense of justice
and tries TO be 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 Taught Il 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 whiie?" 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
Eageous insult to their judiciary"
From what hear" said Elliott, a faint
trace of anxiety showing through his care
less good humor, this honorable court is,
not likely to look with much favor on the
efforts of a stranger in the bailiwick-such
as am"
''Oh no." replied the colonel, grimly;
The will size you up at the outset as city
dude LAWYER. and YOU won't be init Mt all"