Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1893-11-29
HIS FIRST OFFICIAL NIGHT.
TRUE STORY BY W. P. CHAMBERS.

Years ago, when the ambitious city
of Weston was simply a village, there
lived, on the hill beyond the creek, a
man who divided his time about equal
ly between deer hunting and .tnfing
the few rocky, sterile acres that con-
stituted his farm. This man-George
Bently, by name-was prominent
figure in that scarcely settled region.
DE was giant in strength, daring in
danger, cool in emergencies fertile in
expedients. Though illiterate, he was
by no means uneducated so far as the
love of forest and stream was con-
cerned, and his skill in deciphering the
volume of human nature was of no
mean order. So, at thirty five, he was
an acknowledged leader among his fell
lows.
About this time a general election oc-
cured, and during the day somebody
suggested that George Bently be voted
for for Justice of the Peace for Weston
Beat. The suggestion being acted on,
that individual returned home about
sunset, and with pardonablo elation in
formed his wife that he had been elect
ed Magistrate without opposition.
Without giving the matter any con-
sideration, either as to the duties ap.
pertaining to the Office or his own quail
fications for their performance, he made
the necessary bond. and, in due time,
his commission, bearing the great seal
OF the State, was received, together with
a copy of the Code. Now our new Of
fetal had never had law book in his
hands before, and he felt somewhat
dis 'ayed, but rather important withal
as he surveyed the bulky volume. bound
in legal calf. Thrusting his commits
sion into the pocket of his pantaloons,
for he had no coat, and taking the huge
volume under his arm, he sended his
homeward way. If his gait was more
staid and his bearing more dignified
than usual, it was simply because he
felt himself an exponent, if not o part
OF the State in her sovereign capacity
of making and administering laws.
AS soon as supper was dispatched he,
with the aid of his wife, spelled out the
commission, and then taking upthe Code
he began at the title page. He had got
nearly to the end of the report of the
Codifying Committee W hen drowsiness
overpowered him, and he began to dis
robe for the night. AS he was in the
act OF lying dawn, loud "hello!" Was
heard at the yard gate. When the door
was opened voice in the darkness
called out: peg ~ 1t
docs Squire Bently live here?''
I'm the man." was the rather pom
pous reply. - 20
u want warrant for Jake Jones' -
whats he done2"
Him and Pete Brown got into a row
at old man Halls house raising this
evenin' and he knocked Pete down with
a handspike, and it looks like he s goin
to de-" .... ..s
"All right-come In. r" .L'1t
By the time the officer had donned
his clothes and feplenished the fire, the
other man-one John Graham-had en-.
tered - SO .-t
Had Squire Bently been required to
make an astronomical calculation, he
would not have been more completely
alta loss how to proceed. But he fell
that his official honor was at stake and
So after y hasty but fruitless search in
the Code fora form" he proceeded to
bring fortfs frelnIlis inner conscious,
ness, the momentous document
| The first difficulty to be surmounted
was the fact that there was not SCRAP
OF writing paper in the house., Not an
ticipating emergencies wherein it would
be required, no stationery had been pro
vided for official purposes. Unwilling
to be balked, he tore a blank leaf from
the back of the Code, and borrowing a
pencil-3ior 1t was developed that nc
pen ink or even, a lead pencil belonged
to the Bently househol ld-he set down
and, after infinite pains, produced the
following warrant. l-ut h
talk jaik joans. ....
G.. BENTLY, esq. !, j. p"
As Mr. Graham received this docu
ment, he asked: q
who will serve this warranty"
! "You can do 1t as well as anybody
-else, can't your" 49,
/ Iguess so. Where must take him
toy"
Bring him here, of course"
"Wheny"
AT once-or sooner, if you can find
him.
"All right" And the Special Con
stable took his leave.
Our officer now retired, but the Incl