The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-01-16
HOW THEJUDGE ARRANGED

He had adjourned his court, the
Jurors had gone home, and he was
left alone with the Sheriff.
No not entirely alone-a sallow-
faced woman in a limp and faded
gingham sunbonnet and 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 down the one
struggling street which constituted
the main thoroughfare of Blue Rock.
A dreary, drizzling rain was falling,
and there was scarcely sign of life
in the little village.
"Jim!' .
In response to the coll the sheriff
followed the Judge-he was a big, toll
fellow, with good natured face, and
his shambling walk impressed one
with On idea of his laziness and gen.
sral incapacity.
"Jim," said the Judge, T'll be
burned II know what to do with
Sally Black"
4 The sheriff hitched up his baggy
enns trousers and then scratched his
head.
Were In Ak, ledge" was his re-
ply, and a broad grin spread over his
lace.
Undoubtedly the Judge was in q
fx-he knew that well enough with
out hearing from the sheriff. Sally
Black had been convicted of vagrancy
in his court, and he had sentenced
her to six months mprisonment--a
sentence which was TO be carried out
by knocking down the prisoner to
the highest bidder.
h As 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 were treated like the other bands
until their term of service expired.
The farmers around Blue Rock were
q simple-minded, 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 tho 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 hnd been tried, con-
\ victsd and sentenced, the honest
countrymen slipped out Of the court
room with downcast faces and started
homsward. Sheriff Jim spent an
hour on o stump In front Of the tenn
pie of justice vainly. endeavoring to
auction OF his human merchandise,
but nobody would offer bid.
| OF course 1t was no feeling OF COM
passion for Sally Black that they
held them back-it was the babyl
"Billy Belts would take her." said
the Judge, coming out Of a brown
study. II think, Jim, Ill send you
down to the house."
"All right, Jedge," answered Jim.
His Honor looked inside tho door.
Sally Black still sat on tho floor
leaning against the wall with her
baby in her lap. She did not look
up at e:.Judgo's stern face, but the
little girl did, and began to laugh
and crow in q spasm OF delight.
The Judge hastily beat retreat.
"Jim," he said, "you needn't go
after Belts.
"All right, Jedge."
1.-THE fact Is, Belts Is not the right
sort to have convict; he's hard
man-too rough, you know"
"Jesso, ledge"
"We'll lock her up in jail until to-
morrow" 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
In riotou merriment, and pair OF
pink fists struck at him and then
the child's long fingers entwined
themselves in his long beard.
zoos oo7" chirruped the baby.
His Honor pushed his captor back,
very gently. and then looked at the
Sheriff.
"she's q peart gal" remarked
The Judge bolted out Of the door,
followed by the faithful officer.