The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-12-31
HOW THE JUDGE ARRANGED

dOWn by the door OF the Court House
with baby in her lap.
The Judge stepped outside for a
moment and looked down 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.
"Jim!'
In response to the call the sheriff
followed the Judge-he was a big, tall
fellow, with a good natured face, and
bis sbambling walk impressed one
with an idea of his laziness and gen.
eral incapacity.
''Jim," said the Judge, 'I'll be
burned if I know what to do with
Sally Black"
The sheriff hitched up his baggy
jeans trousers and then scratched his
head.
"We're in a fix, Jedge,'' was his re-
ply, and broad grin spread over his
face.
Undoubtedly the Judge was in a
fx-he knew that we'll 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 them and put them
to work on their plantations, where
they we're treated like the other hands
until their term of service expired.
The farmers around Blue Rock we're
a supplemented, old-fashioned set of
people, and the county court in their
eyes was nota mill ofcriminal Justice
it was merely an agency through
which they were supplied with labor
ers. They wanted Sally Black put
through, as they expressed it, be-
cause she was the only regular tramp
and beggar in the country-a good
tor-nothing white woman, who had
come from no one knew where, and
was evidently going to the devil.
But when their wish was gratifed
when the forlorn woman in her rags
and desolation had been tried, con
victed and sentenced, the honest
countrymen slipped out of the court
room with downcastfaces and started
homeward. Sheriff Jim spent an
hour on stump in front of the tenn
pie of Justice vainly endeavoring to
auction off his human merchandise,
but nobody would offer a bid.
Ofcourse 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."
Cali 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 the Judges stern face, but the
little girl did, and began to laugh
and crow in spasm Of delight.
The Judge hastily beat retreat.
"Jim," he said, you needn't go
after Belts.
Cali right, Jedge." s,...
''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-
morrow" said the other.
Ike Judge walked inside the court
house and stopped down to tell the
woman of his determination. = 4
A pair of blue eyes flashed atfhim
in riotou merriment, and pair OF
pink fists struck at him and then
the child's long fingers entwined
themselves in his long beard.
COOS oo?" chirruped the baby.
His Honor pushed his captor back,
very gently, and then looked at the
Sheriff.
t'she's peart gall remarked
The Judge bolted out of the door,
followed by the faithful officer.
"Jim, this is getting serious
ssLooks like a tough old case"
volunteered the Sheriff.
II can't lock that baby up in our
dirty old jail, and I won't. 2
How will you fix it, Jedge?" asked
the other. sUnder the law we can't
bid for the prisoner,
Il know what I'll do" said the
Judge say, Bob, come herep' he
shouted to a man on the other side
of the street,
Bob crossed over very reluctantly.
He was u tenant on q small farm be-