New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-02
A SENSE OF JUSTICE.
Tins fobbpd by the rusty Of old Father Antc, the
Iaw"-Falstan In Henry ~"

i" Iaa,w."~Pastar In - Henry w.
All the people OF YOakum and Of the country
district round about were going to court. IL was
the day which the case OF lIobley versus Dutton
The plaintiff, Deacon Sias Hobiey, and his wife
| were on their way tn town in an old farm wagon
! They did not lack better vehicle but the deacon
was anxious to impress upon his neghbors the fact
| that the cart, in which they had for years seen
him Jogging about the country, was no more. II
| 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 10 feel inclined to talk; Mrs
Iobley had asked Silas several times whether he
thought the would be decided in his favor.
| AT last he answered:
Well, dunno. Sometimes kinder wisht
had took the fifty dollars compromise that they
offered. Course we know the cart wasn't wufh
! no two and a half which I'm asking for damages
And allow Ahner-Jedge Peck-he knows it well
enough: but then he has sense of Justice, and
| knows Colonel Dutton he can better afford TO give
twoffty than can TO take jest fifty for that cart.
SO it REILLY all rests with the jedge-'n we can't
| tell what he I'll do
| wife, that Abner would 20 n decide against us.
The defendant, Colonel Miles Duton, his
daughter Ethel, and Mr.. Ralph Elliott. esq. his
attorney, came to town in a very swell turnout,
the horses whereof were tan-colored harness and
large, clanking nickel chains. On the box sat
Peter Martin, the c0achman, who had been re-
sponsibe for the breaking mp of Deacon Hobieys
fact that the colonel had declared she should not
wore a taking .ight-green frock and q smart hat,
and over her shoulder jauntily swung checSered d
parosol. The country people whom they passed
| from time to time along the road could not but
admire her. although they made various un-
pleasant remarks about the way them buttons
was always putin on dog
"Confound it! they are all coming growed
| the colonel, as the high-steppers distanced one
bob-tailcd caravan, consisting of q farm-splky
| and n gig the people Of this internal place
seem to have veritable passion for litigation
They must be interested in something, papa,
any of the things to go to that we have in the
city: why shouldn't they make the most OF
these court things-dccsions and cases and all
| that. you know ~
| These last few words were delivered in a con-
fdential fashion TO Mr.. Ralph Elliott, at whom
| she dartcd, from time to time, when the colonel
! on understanding between the two-a little am:
biguous yet, owing to the fact that the colonel
did not, much approve of the young lawyer: ,,:u
To he sure" assented Elliott; and it is plain
that IIobley versus DuttOn is destined to be 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
| Peek. He has been justice of the peace In the
Yoa.um Township for the last twenty years SAND ama
| awe that you might Il whole benchful oil lord
| chancellors and chief-justices.'
Does he know much law inquired F.lllott,
| passing his hand over the pile of calf-Dound
About as much as lizard answered the
| colonel.
| ." lie reminds me of Sancho Panza,' said Ethel;
Z" they say lie has O sense Of justice and tries
TO be fair-and sou ought to see what 1unny
round pink head lie has, with 1uzzy mar on inc
"A sense of justice, roared the colonel. while
Elliott began to laugh: Il have never seen any
this place, Elliott, than these people began to
take advantage of every excuse to drag Inc INTO
court And | have been. worsted every time
| or course | can appeal"
But it isn't worth while? said Elliott.
"Ycs, partly that. However, as no one ever
appeals from Judge Peck decisions uGn W,s,
would consider an outrageous insult TO thelr
! judiciary
of anxiety showing through his careless good
! humor. this honorable court is mot likely TO
| look with much favor the efforts OF a stranger
| in the bailiwck-such as am. -,
oh. no replied the colonel grimly: "he will
size you up at the outset as city dude lawyer
| and you won't be in it at all. o.oa r.,o,
| Then. when the colonel turned to speak Tor a
moment with the driver. she put her H1hu ,;n III
| Elliotts and whispered: Il know you Will VIII
| and Just think if you do
Il hope so,' whispered the other but just
| think if / DON'T" A.. nj,
The room where the famous Judge Ahner Peck
held il and for the n lighted by
| several curtainlcss windows which stared throush
! the grimy white walls. The floor was bare there
were plenty of benches for spectators ana wv
| chairs The lawyers had long pine table, tne
edgcs of it's tor serrated with many ancient
WRITINGS by jacklSnives. The court occupied
an exalted position on a broad platform ao ohG
end of the room. Above the Judges chair anu
! desk there hung u canopy Of thick red damask'
violently suggestive in shape and general appear
ance of pair of old-fashioned window-Gnr,aans;;
! 4 nart of this drapery, weighted with dust ana
| colweb, had pulled loose from us mooTihgs
| above, and hung down over the Judge seat 81
| that as he moved about The lrayeu eoSe hoo
| infrcquently tickled his bald crown; -,
AZ few minutes before 10 O'Clock, the eyes
of The hundred spectators that crowded the court
room turned toward this platform to Deholu we
eminent iurist Abncr Peck formally take his pit"c
| upon the bench. lie assembled the steps WIN q
slow and digniied gait. sank back III the Dig ann
| chair. and leaned his head against his hand as
he gazed bengnly into the faces OF ms asselnpeu
| friends and neighbors, he seemed to them the very
disqualification of a Sense OF Justice
| One-haf OF tie lawyers table was taken up py
Iudge Bellows, WHO represented the plalntln. W
| his Tirht hand were Deacon H0bley and his VIE:
| The law-books Of Mr. Ralph Elliott were spread
out the remaining half of the taole ai' es
! a brief wrangle with her father In which she as
| usual came out victorious, Miss Ethe' hau ac-
cornpanied Mr. Elliott Gto the courtroom and now
occupied seat at his side The colonel , SAT De'
| hind and with him was Peter Martin, the uIl-
| iucky coachman who was accused of response
| blty for the smashing of the deacons cart; Az.
| The Judge is looking at u.s." whispered MISS
| Dutton. did Won ever such funny w00lly mar
in all your life?' ,,- ,or,a Elliott,
| what ] want TO know is how 10 get at MN.
| If YOU could only catch his eye and smile sweety
| on him" -.
Tell me when il is the right time for him to
| decide our way and I'll do it," said the young
| lady. - ,,sou
There is use in having jury, You under
stand" said the colonel, leaning forward " the
old mandarin will sit there and gravely tell them
| what their verdict must be.
We'll we will make the best defence that we
| can. and throw ourselves on the mercy OF the
| court ,,
he has il in for me-they all have. suppose !
| costs as prayed for And the Id cart
wasn't with the fifty that offered as com
| promise. . a.,
| witnes,stand lie told how he had left his cart
htchcd in the road and how the runaway colt
and blackboard had smashed it into shoe-pegs
Did you see all this yourself?' inquired MIR.
Elliott
No: | wasn't there answered the witness;