Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-06-29
The Judge and the Baby.

lnrprs had gone home, and he was
left alone with the Sheriff.
No not entirely alone-a sallow.
faeed woman in limp and faded
glngham sunbonnet and a 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 a
m0ment and looked down the one
STRUGGLING street which constituted
THE main thoroughfare Of Blue Rock.
A areary, drizzling rain was falling,
aud fhere was scarcely sign of life
III The little village
Jlml"
In response TO the call the sheriff
followed the Judge-he was big, tall
islloB, with a good natured face, and
hin Stumbling walk impressed one
with an idea OF his laziness and gem
ensl lncapacity.
finn said the Judge, 'I'n he
durnfd If | know what to do with
sally Black
Ihe sheriff hitehed up his baggy
iAanH trousers and then scratched his
inad
Weir in a fix, Jedge, was his re-
pag, ana broad grin spread over his
face.
lndoubted IDLY the Judge was in n
isgvHse knew that well enough with
ulsl Aenring from the sheriff. Sally
Hss&ek had boen convicted ofvagrancy
lss hIN court, and he had sentenced
lleT ~ six months imprisonment
ssisAkence which was 10 be carried out
~ knocking down the prisoner 10
tslp highest bidder
AAn rule, the prisoners disposed of
III Ihis manner were negroes, and the
faFiners nt the country were always
Fyndy to bid for them and put them
sss mork On their plantations, where
flley We're treatedlike the other hands
untH their term Of service expired
Thu farmers around Blue Rock were
a Nifnple-minded, old.iashioned set Of
TsN0ple and the county court IN their
eyee vas nota mill ofcriminnl Justice
Il wac merely an agency through
wRsieh they were supplied with labor.
efs. They wanted Sally Black put
asrUugh, rs they expressed IL, be-.
cmal@a she was the only regular tramp
mud hsggar in the eountry-a good
fprnothing white woman, who Ind
uufie rom no one knew where, and
wms evidently going TO the devil
hut when their wish was grntifed
wtlen the forlorn woman in her rags /
and N,Eolation had been tried. con.
ybefHN and sentenced. the honest 4
cnnnfrymen slipped out Of the court I.
room with duwnenst inccs and started 4
h0mewArd Sheriff Jim spent an .
itouK-on "A stump IN front Of the tenn /
pie 81 justice vHinly endeayoring to /
auction on his human merchandise. (
bast npbody would offer bid
0Kfourse II WIS no feeling Of com. I
pANsipn tor Sally Black that they .
hnid them back-it wus the baby!
~hllly Bolts would take her" said I
tlae Judge, coming out 81 a brown I.
study. Il think. Jim. III send you
fiUwn "a the house.
All right, Jcdge," answered Jim. /
HlA honor looked inside the door. 1
salty liluck still sat on the floor /
leaning against the wnll with her
baby IN her lap. She did not look /
up nt the. Judges stern fnce. but the
little girl did, and began to laugh
and crow In "A spasm 81 delight.
The Judge hnstily beat n retreat
aini, he said, 'you needn't 20
after Belts.
"All right, Jcdge.
LIE fact IL, Belts is not the right
sort - have convict; he's "A hard
man too rough, you know"
"Jessn, Jedgc.
Ne'll lock her mp in Jail until to.
uurfox said the other.
The Judge walked inside the court
hvuve and stopped down To tell the
woman Of his determination.
a pnir Of blue eyes flashed ut him
iu rotor merrimont, and n pair Of
pink fists struck at him and then
tllr ehild's long fingers cntwined
fhfnselves In his long beard "A
Voc oo?" chirruped the baby
HE Honor pushed hiscaptor back
very gently, and then looked ut the /
Sliefin
shes pcart gal, remarked
jam
The Judge bolted out of the door,
followed by the faithful officer.
'Jim, this is getting serious"
Cooks like tough old cnse." ,
volanteered the sheriff.
PANT lock that baby up in our
psf'N old Jail, and won't"
N. low will You fix it, ledger" asked !
ene other. Under the law we can't
pin 1or the prisoner
know what I'll do" said the
JudHe-"l say, Bob, come herel" he
OF the street, /
BOB crossed over very reluctantly. /
re was tenant on a small farm be-. |
longing to the Judge, and he was be.
hind with his rcnt. y
~ a