The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-18
JUSTICE JOHNS COURT.
4 SAD CASE OF INTEMPERANCE
NAY END IN REFORMATIoM
An Unusually Light Docket, With Nearly
All OF the Cases Directly Resulting
From the Use of Intoxicants'

assembled the bench yesterday morh'"s "''
first words betrayed his Thought
Call the game. Sergeant ne sa'u' az
ma nestled in his big chair as II ne was
,c,tltng on a bench IN the grand-stand.
There was an amused murmur about
tbe courtroom. which seemed to recaIi
Justice John from the diamond TO the
docket. and he quickly hedged by ex-
claiming himself. Courts open"
The old inspiration was not lost long.
for after while Sergeant Thomas was
scanning the cue paper for the ordinance
ease. Hissonncr called. 'Piay ball. or 'er
'er: call the first case. Sergeant ana
tho smile went round again.
no nrst case was called all right, ana
small black boy came meekly Tor
ward keeping his eyes fixed straight on
Justice John, as II the final separation OF
the sheep and goats was about to be
made.
Jasper was charged as being a sus-
picious character. and n workman test-
fed that he saw Jasper in the act OF
going through the pockets OF his coat
which was lying near the place OF his
labOrs.
All" said Justice John.
MAY reach the dignity of crimes"
II guess lock you up, just to Keep
you good"
The boys mother came up just then
and entered plea for her boy.
"win you whip him good II l let him
co." asked Hissonner.
"Yes. sab; dat will, JUS as soon as 1
git him home" she answered.
"Ah no." said the Justice. II know
You mothers; you will forget and forgive
him. and as like as not be buying him
chewing-gum before you get home. Whip
him after court" and so the bargain was
made.
After court the mother made several
attempts, and finally turned Jasper over
10 a negro man, whom she knew, and he
acted for her.
Jasper, however, knew all the tricks of
the small boy. especially bad ones; and
ne began following as soon as he got In
the office, and, therefore, escaped with
out mach punishment.
STINGETH LIKE A SERPENT.
There are as many ob1ect-lessons on
the temperance question In the Police
Court as there are show-biils about
circus, and scarcely day passes without
narrowing recital of the woes Of in
temperate habits.
NO men NtIt biOuSlit JhSGNt
John who had been out of jail only a
few days. and were again charged with
being drunk. Both are apparently we'll
educated and good-looking men, but both
asked TO be sent back TO Jail TO end their
spree.
The men were Il. +. Hilliard and Dan.
w Shelly, and the Justice would have
discharged them but for their own ad-
mission that they were incapable OF with
standing the disposition to drink.
1t is pitiahle beyond description to see
and hear two stalwart men admit that
they are chained TO the rocks of habit
while the vultures OF uncomfortable de-
sires are proving upon their vitals.
Thomas Crawford. a white man. was
also accused of being drunk, and was
fined $3.50.
II. w. Fuller (white) was also on the
list Of men who had imbibed too much,
and WIS fned s-.5y.
Edward Early was charged with at
tempting TO cut Charles Taylor with
knife.
who is the woman in this case?''
asked Justice John, for he has long since
found out that nearly always there Is an
inside history OF such cases.
Betsy" answered one of the men.
"Oh. Betsy. was it," said Justice John,
well. go on and tell me more about
Betsy.
Then Early explained that Betsy was
duly under contract TO cook for him,
but that at evening when he went home to
supper, he always found a cold stove
and cold reception, and usually Charles
Taylor.
These three thing combined were
a trife too many for Early, so he be
thought himself of his trusty knife and
would soon have no doubt carved up
Charles in truly surgical style had not
Charles betaken himself to flight and
sued out warrant.
A SAD. SAD CASE.
Tho saddest case which has come up be
go Iua,ice John in years was called
yesterday. and Mrs. Fannie Taylor re-
snondea 20 the charge of being mte&l-
Gated. mi. ,,.as
Nj, known among large circle OF
friends In Richmond. She was YOUNG
nretty. and talented, and at trinity
Church her sweet voice was heard every
sabbath among the choir ana she en-,
,oved the esteem and friendship or all
who knew her.
Years nassed on and she was married
10 a devoted and gootl husband, but
somewhere and eontehow she nrmed
the habit which to-day was responsible
for her position In court.
Three children have been born
10 Mr.. and Mrs. Taylor, the youngest
being but sixteen months old
For a long time her old friends have
known of the fearful infrmity or Mrs.
Taylor. They have seen her on the
street when she should have been at
HON. and rapidly they drifted away and
left her more alone with her wretcheu
self and ungoyernable habit.
To her home they never came, ana on
the street They avoided her.
"TNhe gayer insects fiuttering by
Ne'er droop the wing Ger those that die.
Many times the police officers have
taken Mrs. Taylor 10 the station, hut on
account OF her husband who Is IN all
respects a splendid man. and upon whom
her affection falls heavily. she has In
variably been discharged. bit oD one
previous occasion she was before Justice
John and was also discharged.
of late days. Mrs. Taylor has not been
an infrequent visitor along Main street
between Eighth and NTH streets always
carrying the baby In her arms
Thursday night she was found by the
officers in a saloon with her infant child
and IN a pitiable condition.
Taylor was indeed apparently peni-
tent and sorrow -burdened woman.
She sat In the witness-room. with her
sister. who faithfully remains her friend
and together they wept as sisters may.