The evening times., 1895-11-08
SMILED Ifl0U6H I[l1s
Martha HoIcomb in Turn Pros
ecutor and Prisoner.
THEN THE JUDGE RELENTED
She Had Used Language Toward the
ChiidrenS she wasa Witness A eainst
That His Honor Considered Con-
tempt of COurt-A Most Amusing
Case-Vagrants Day.

This was yagrants' day In the police
court. Nearly everyone who leaned up
against the dock rail this murning pleaded
tothat charge. Half a duzen colored women
were in the crowd, and there was an un-
usually large number Of men for this time
of the week
Andrew Nelson and Howard F. Holland,
young men, were arraigned under the va
grancy act by Policeman DuvalL
Yesterday afternoon I received infor-
nation that these two men were acting
in a suspicious nianner,' he said, 'and
seeing them coming out OF q store 1
arrested them. One broke away. but was
arrested Later
George Payne, a grocer's clerk, testified
that the two came into his store and wanted
to get u bill changed. He thought they
acted III u very suspicious manner.
Mrs. Mary E. James, also a storekeepef,
testified that the two entered her store and
after purchasing a small amount OF candy
SO confused her in making change for sew
eral bills of different denominations that
they succeeded in fiim-fiamming her out
of ST..
Judge Kimball sentenced them to the
workhouse for sixty days each.
THE JUDGE KNEW HIM.
Edward Howard. colored, another vag,
pleaded not guilty.
when did you get out Of the workhouse?"
saked the Judge.
who, me-"
Yes"
About a month ago."
where were you arrested the last time?"
Where was l arrested de las tiine?"
Yes, Yes"
''on de Navy Yard, judge"
Weren't you arrested for stealing .
broom once?"
Fer stealin' a broom?"
Yes"
who, me-"
Sixty days in the workhouse" said the
Judge.
who, me-" but Bailiff Kendig had
rushed him through the dock aud into the
cell. room.
"Susie Purposei"
familiar figure stepped up to the rail.
pleaded gully TO being a vag. and without
waiting to know what che was sentenced
TO, went back to the cell. The court gave
her fifteen days.
Joseph Harrison, a boy about fifteen
years old, whose natural color was white.
but whose grimy face and hands resembled
the complexion Of a negro was caught
with two men, Jesse Watts and Joseph
Adams, and all were charged with vagrancy.
Harrison said that he was from Brooklyn,
and stole a rice here on the trains.
SENDS THE BOY HOME.
"what makes you SO dirty" asked the
judge.
II was shovelin' coal on an engine.
judge.
Let this boy wash up and a SIX Mr.. Frank
to send him home" said Judge Kimball,
and Joseph's face began to beam.
The other two promised to leave town
at once and the court took their personal
bonds.
Then one of the most amusing cases that
have been heard in the police court lately
was called. Bessi e, Brown and Bessie
Sites, little colored girls, were charged
with disor,ierly conduct, and Martha Hol-
comb was the prosecuting witness
Judge. yo' honor" she said. "I was
on de way to de 'speBsary. I'm q sick
woman: got de lumbagu fever
Never mind your Illness" said Judge
Kimball. Tell US about these children
well, when I wuz comm back from the
dispensary, wild some medicind in my ham
1 see desc children and Mary Washington
in the road, and hears 'em quarrallin'.
So 1 says to 'eni- what's the matter
Children an dey begins to blackguard
me in n way dat wuz terrible. They wuz
cussin' and swearin' and CALM me all the
DaDies dey could lay DER tongue to-
LITTLE BLACK DEVILS.
Ibid those two children swear at you,''
"Yes, sir; dem very two little black
devils"
You are fined S." said the Judge to
the woman. land the case is dismissed.
Martha didn't understand the judges pc
cuiiar sentence, and was about to pass
out, when the bailiff caught her and ex-
planned what had happened. Then he start
ed to put her back in the cell.
We'll, you needn't shove ME back there"
she declared. indignantly. Use got money
to pay my fine right here"
She stepped up to the stand, weeping.
and taking a wellfillsd sock from her
bosom drew from it So note and handed it
to the clerk. Then she went around to the
judge, and in a very humble tone said:
Judge, your honor, didn't mean nothin'
disrespectful by what / said"
do yoa apologize for the Language you
used?' asked Judge Kimball.
"Yas, sab. indeed I does"
Give her back her So" said the court,
. and Martha went away smiling through her
tears.