The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-24
UNDER AN ESCORT.
Mrs. John Martin Sent to
Her House.
TO FIND THAT NEGATIVE.
She Said She Wouldn't, Then
She Couldn't.
THEN SAID ooh, WELL, I'll SEE''
Bailiff CIancy's Happy Experience.
What Was Revealed by the
Torn Corner of a Paper.
THEN SAID "OH, WELL, Pill sEE''


heap of unlooked-for sensations ha.
cropped up from day to day TO add fresl
charm to the proceedings and so to attrac
the necessary number of spectators re-
CURED to FIJI Judge Coffey's courtroom.
Mrs. John Martin has been kind enough
to come to the rescue In this hour of need
BY her success in establishing precedent
in the way of handling over-curious inter
locutOrs, she has disclosed new course Of
procedure in the administration of justice
Sheha taken unto herself to determine
without the assistance of his patien
Honor upon the bench just such matter:
as are relevant, material and competent
and well within the limits of section 206(
of the Code of Civil Procedure.
But her path is not strewn with roses
She finds it no easy matter to brave the
wrath of opposing counsel, as we'll as OF
the learned Judge, who attempts from time
10 time to suggest to her the proper course
10 pursue and the rod which for days
hung heavily over her head fell with un-
utteTable vehemence yesterday when Mrs.
John found herself in the unpleasant posi-
tion of being escorted TO her Van Ness
avenue residence in charge OF a deputy
sheriff whose instructions were to sac
that she obeyed an order OF the court
which for three days she had chosen 10 set
at defiance.
There is another person upon whom the
hand OF affection has heavily fallen. This
person Is COrnelius-Neely- Murphy.
clerk of Judge COfey's courtroom, Not
only is he bowed down under The thought
that there is a matter of something like
$1,000 due him in fees from the side Ie-
gally represented by Grove l.. johnson of
Sacramento, but he is also made the sub
ject of many adverse criticisms regarding
certain important documents that do not
turn uD just when they are wanted.
1t is now 10 unfrequent sight to see Mr..
Murphy standing alone in the street out
side the City Hall, his soft felt hat pulled
down over his angry brOws, his eyes
closed IN thought and his fists clenched in
dire misgiVlng. So standing he Will COM
mune with himself by the hour, and
nnally, bidding gOod-by to the phantom
antagonist OF his dreams. saunter away
Into the gloom. Murphy says that moth
ing shall Induce him to take unto himself
the dread responsibility of such another
lawsuit as This
Mr.. Murphy was a central figure of the
opening scene of the day. Juror Patrick
j. Cody had no sooner Joined his eleven
brethren IL misfortune than Grove john
son opened the case with another kick.
Your Honor" he said, Il have asked for
the deposition of Mrs. John Martin. The
lady desired to peTuSe 1t before returning
to the witDess-stand. / asked Mr.. Murphy
for it, but he refuses TO give it TO ne. Now
l demand it."
Murphy turned round in his seat and
spread ont his hands appealingly TO the
Judge. His Honor looked surprised.
Way, what is the matter ?" he asked. In
another moment Murphy had picked up
the deposition and handed 1t to Mr.. John
son. But 1t turned out afterWard that
Clerk Murphy had not refused to produce
the deposition. He simply desired the
presence OF another deputy County Clerk
during its perusal, and while waiting for
Requirements held back the paper as
long as he could.
Consequently when Judge Coffey re-
tired to his chambers for a moment before
resuming the case Nicely Murphy, feeling
that be was unjustly accused, let out the
floodgates of his wrath upon the head of
the aggressive Mr.. johnson.
You can't insult me any more," said
Murphy, boiling with rage. You've done
that long enough. Now. it's got to stop
right here, see? | wish you were so years
younger. and I'd show YOU"
Grove johnson was busy writing all this
time, and the sole reply he made was indi-
Gated by the scratch. scratch, scratch of
his pen. So Murphy waxed wroth once
more.
IF you talk to me like that again." he
said, "I'll forget your years."
Scratch, scratch, scratch went Mr.. John
sons pen. Just then the Judge entered
and all was peace.
Then Mrs. John Martin was recalled to
the stand and eremptOrily ordered to
produce the Compromised original mega
tive from which a photograph was taken of
the Dear Belle" letter of February %.
1893. But this arrangement did not suit
the ideas of the witness.
81 have a negative here" she said, pro-
ducing one. ut IS the original negative.
too
Delmas looked at the plate. why" he
said, this is smaller than the epistle. Is
there no other?
Yes" was the answer. There is an
other and larger one, but haven't it."
"Where is ?"
'Oh, [ don't know. This one will do as
well. | don't want to bring the other be-
cause the second will has been retoucbed
and tempered with. That might happen
to this"
After Delmas had succeeded in having
said to the witness: Madam. l call
upon you TO produce that negative as you
have promised.
"Oh. no." was the calm reply. 1.-THE
one you hold will do as well. 1t is just as
good, although it is smaller. Besides, the
other is broken. l couldn't bring you
that"
Madam, you must produce ito
Mrs. John Martin unused awhile. and
then said: mo, 1 don't know that | will.
don't think l can.
"Why can't yOu?'
because L can't" was the feminine
answer.
Then there came war. The eccentric
witness was eXpostulated with, but in
vain. She would not produce the mega
tive. Finally Judge Coffey tried his hand,
employing his customary Establishments.
But for once his Honor failed to conquer.
Mrs. Martin wond not yield.
Art having failed, Judge Coffey had re-
course TO authority. MADAM" he said.
in his most austere tones, you will do as
YOU are instructed and produce that mega
live, or you will answer for the conse-
quenees."
81 can't do it, Judge" was the logged
answer.
"Then you will answer for the conse-
ouepces," returned the Judge sweetiy.
Then he ordered the witness to leave the
stand. and placed her in charge OF a
Deputy Sheriff with instructions to see
that she went to her house, obtained the
required negative. and returned to court
within half an hour.
Railiff White was instructed with this
mission. but when he had followed Mrs.
Martin out of court he found that some
one was needed to keep the doors, so
DAINTY Sheriff T. Clancy was permitted
to escort Mrs Martin TO her home.
This proved no easy matter. The fair
lady had no sooner sailed out OF court than
she came to a halt in the corridor
ontside and refused TO bulge an inch.
Several people argued with her,. but all
She would reply was: "I'il 60 to jail first