The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-21
THE MAGISTRATES MULE.
His Honor Thought He Had Bargain,
but 1t Did Not Pan Ont Well

Winn-a rough frontiersman of the
genus cowboy-is the perpetrator of Joke
upon certain erudite justice OF the peace,
ard the tale will bear repeating His home
Is in the quiet town of Rlchfield, and when
he visits the settlement he celebrates by
painting the town flaming cardinal On
one of these occasions he took hand at
some simple game played with five cards,
Of which the first is buried. | think they
tall it stud" Something about the game
was forbidden, and, under the kind super
vision of the marshal, Winn, with five com.
panions, found himself before the bar of
justice.
| Denials and defense were useless JUS
tice Orrick solemnly perused the statutes
and fined each offender $3.50, Winn found
that he had but ten dollars, and this lie
offered to the magistrate, but no compro
mise could be effected with the city treas
ury. 1t was $3.50 or twelve and onehalf
days in durance vile Finally a happy
thought struck the young man.
"Say judge, Pll give you a bill of sale Of
my mule, and if | don't bring you the
money within five days III bring the crit
ter aud it's yours"
! Now an average mule is worth forty dol.
lars, and the justice thought he had good
bargain; so did Winn, although he never
cracked smile until the bill was drawn
up, signed and delivered, then something
in his countenance warned the grave Or.
rick of impending trouble.
''Winn, how old is that ar mewl"
"Old enough to vote, judge, old enough
to vote" ana the door was closed from the
outside.
Now, RichGeld justice cannot be lightly
treated. Straightway the justice hed him
to the constable and together they visited
| Winn's home.
well, Winn, have warrant for YOU"
"What feri"
THE judge says as you amt settled that
| fine"
"Ain't settled that fne2 You try and
make me settle it agin and it'll cost you
three or four mules"
"How's thatW
"Well, give the Judge bill of sale for
my mule and he let me 60"
is that so, Brother Orrick"
The judge, after much hesitation, con.
fessed that such was the case.
well, then, you can't do nothing more
with Wnn."
But, Winn, you'll let me see the mewl'"
Cert. Come along"
Out to the old corral they went, and there
upon the ground lay the ungainly hybrid,
patriarch Of all the mules in Utah. VIM
kicked it and it slowly rose and tottered to
its feet.
Look out, gentlemen, it may fall on you,
and can't be responsible for accident"
Now, Winn," whined the baffled Or
rick, 81 meant to do the right thing by you,
but | guess | stretched the law a leetle
The law won't let me take anything that
will cat or run away"
YOU'RE all right, judge. You're all
right That mule can't do neither one"
Five days later there was procession
( through the main street of Richfeld. Winn
drove cart, and behind was tied Brother
Orrick's mule Two of his boon com.
panions marched on either side to steady
its feeble steps, and the fifth brought up
/ the rear and gave the beast push when
ever it seemed that it must surely fall.
The next morning there was a funeral in
Justice Orricks corral, and the worthy
magistrate, having just deposited sl2. so Of
bis own hard earned cash in the city treas
ury, was the sole mourner.-Forest and
Stream.