The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-21
A SPECIAL CODE.

Experience, tho shrcwdcst expourder
OF principle, the most acute logician,
the wisest of oil councillors. is, somo
profound thinker took occasion to re-
mark, like the rod light ut tho rear end
of railway train-it Eliminates only
tho path gono over. This may not DO
tho exact wording, tho fine shading of
tho profound thinker, but care not so
much for his wording Us for his idea
not so much for his shading as for his
truth. Swinging behind a train which
at times rushes wild through my fancy
there is q red light, and its dull rays
fall upon path gone over, one leading
out from newspaper. One morning it
came out, broad in assertion, boastful
i'll big type. declaring that it had come
to stay, but Gro tho afternoon had come
q man whose political pull had put him
Into tho sheriff. Office as deputy stood
at tho entrance of the counting room
where nothing had been counted-tack-
ing card on the door, driving shinglo
nails into the sore breast of once
buoyant hope. Well, that was oil there
was to the paper, and it wasn't much
surely-an idle lesson learned at lazy
noon-but what followed was an ex-
perience. 1 set out upon stroll down
through tho cypress districts of west
Tennessee. The weather was charming,
pink June and the sun set that even
ing with glow that promised romantic
adventure. Rain was pouring down q
week later, and romance was nowhere
III sight. L went to q barn and lay in
the fodder to wait for it. Lightning
struck tho barn, and 1 tumbled out,
stunned, scared half to death, and took
to my heels across q meadow
Some one cried STOP and then Il gun
went of. stopped, and n man ran up
and arrested me. Lightning had set the
barn on fire, and of course was accused
of 1T. | went with the nun and stood
near whilo he sworc out Il warrant for
my arrest and then acknowledged that
was aware that was in custody. BY
this time a number of furious citizens
had arrived, and 1 began to fear lest
they might not wait for the slow proc
esses of the law. My experience with
the daily newspaper had taught mo
something of legal procedure, and /
asked the Justice if 1 might have a
change of venue
whats that?'' he asked.
THANK you for change Of venue"
said L
This set them oil a-laughing. had
never asked for such a thing before and
did not know tho exact wording. I felt
sure that l couldn't miss it if I were
only polite But did miss it and they
poked merciless jests ut my ignorance.
After awhile court was called to order,
mirth was put aside, and l was told
that the charge against me was exceed
ingly serious; that I must defond my
self or spend much of my future time
i'll prison. 81 have but very short de-
fcnse," said L ''The truth is that
= didn't set fire to the barn. 1 had no
matches about me, and l was too wet
when went in there to set fire to any
thing. The things were set OH fire by
elightning."
I'VE grant all that, You honor" re-
piled the man who had taken the prose-
cution of tho case, but what right had
he i'll the barn? And besides let him
prove that the lightning would have
struck the barn if he hadn't been in
there. To my certain knowledge, this
barn has been standing for tho last 30
years, and can prove that it was never
struck before 1t is vol known in
science that certain people attract light
ming, and the law plainly says that dur
ing showers these people should keop
out of barns.''
Yes, sir. answered q lank man at
tho rear end of tho room.
You studied science for a number of
years, didn't you?"
II was professor Of it for q long time.
sir. -
well, can you tell by examination
whether or not a man is AN attraction of
lightning?"
Il ought to. sir, for was examiner
for this part of the state"
will you please step up and examine
this MANI
With pleasure, sir. -
He examined my hair, rubbed NV
head and then shook his own. II should
say, sir, that this would be mighty
dangerous man to be near while light
ming is flashing around"
Then, sir, in view of tho fact that
this barn was never before struck by
lightning, would you be willing to give
1t as your opinion that tho prisoner was
the cause of the-well, We'll say acct
dent?"
II certainly give that opinion, SIR"
well, then, your honor" continued
the prosecutor, there is but little moro
to do. OF course this man cannot helm
his unfortunate attraction for lightning;
but, then. neither can mad dog help
being mad. / will now leave him to