The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-03
JUSTICE JOHNS COURT.
WIDOWS CONTEST FOR THE AFFEC-
TIOyS OF THE SAME MAN.
Ike Varied Causes of Violations of tn
Law Touch Almost All the Crimes
on the Calendar.

There can be no sunshine without
its shadow, no rose without It's thorn,
no indiscretion without remorse, no sin
without retriDution, and no love without
its griefs. IL there be some bright
Thursdays when peace reigns like the
Blended heavens above us. when nope
sings her sweetest songs and JOY giaddens
the heart almost 10 madness, there will
follow some dismal Fridays, when we
shall sit in the charnel house OF despair
and unsatisiied sorrows gnaw upon the
heart. ~.t
These things are as old "a the beginning
and yet as new as yesterday, for In the
long docket Of Justice John, there were
few cords left untouched, few blossoms
Of the heart ungathcred. from the richly
perfumed OF forgiveness and charity TO the
rank, wild weeds OF viciOusness.
Sergeant Thomas began the sad and
melancholy recital by saying that Sun
day would be an appropriate time to an
uounce TO the public Mat at No. OF south
First street a family, composed or
mother and five children were suffering
for bread.
He suggested that to-day as our people
were gathered in their homes. with a
plenty and to spare, that it would be
good 10 remember that there were peo-
ple needy indeed. and that beyond the
touch Of pity. that makes the whole
world akin. we might recall as We
Toasted that these suffering ones with us
were children all of one infinite Father.
Joseph Shortell is a good man when he
is perfectly sober. but he is not always
so and the deep furrowed lines OF care
ana the toyless eyes of his wife were
silent witnesses against him yesterday.
Mr.. Shortell was charged WIN peihS
drunk and threatening ms wife.
Justice John looked upon the cheerlesS
face of the unhappy woman, and SAID i
will give him thirty days.
Joseph Shortell looked Appealing TO his
wife. mo, joe" she said quietly, we
have reached the iaUing or the ways
for tho chlldren's sake | have suffered
much. but / can hold out no longer"
II will never touch another drop, ne
answered. ,
"Ob. II YOU only would not, could, l
would make myself forget the past she
TREMENDOUSLY said.
Now Madam said Justice John' you
NAV decide the case, thirty days or hOth-
ing. which shall IT be?'
M man could doubt the result at this
moment. The look of half doubling,
hesitating fear. the hope kindling IN her
eyes the silent trembling lips all TOO
~ know not, 1 ask not if quilts in tina.
heart, -.
1 know that l love thee. whatever thou
art"
.Win you swear. Joe?" she asked.
Down on his knees on the rough stone
eoor Joseph Shortell sank. ana making
the sign OF the cross over his Dreas,' De
took the oath.
some Of the men in the courtroom
laughed. Justice John was silent, ire
woman wept.
THE MOURNFUL WIDOW.
The GLOOM was settling down over the
courr ike a hen on nest or a mash-lrdl
or q snow bird, when Sergeant Ihohas
called Mary WoOdson. Lewis CROSBY, "n'
Imcinda Walker. Mary came hrst' III
deem mourning, and Lucinda's garp a's0
hetokened signs OF bereavement
The rain was playing a urge Oh " ~
dim widow-panes. the black heaus III ''le
,or.osf darkened corners OF the room NOD
ded like sable plumes above Dier' @nu
tho faces of the lawyers In the iIoh'
80. o-,noare1 as professional inOurners.
Here. Sergeant" said Justice john
get a CORPSE, and let's start mis- ~
neral" ,, ou,.e
Then turning to Lucinda, he SAID, " 20
40 vou7, meaning. OF course, when one
OF the women called
use a widar. sab" replied Lucinda
I'm sure OF that: how long have you
been a Widow" he asked.
Fifteen years, san.
"You are a widow. too. | suppose anu
how long?" asked Jusiice Johh Oh Niaiy
'las. sab: Use been widar hish ." -
Ia nI
rus,ice John looked desperate, by de
-, ne relaxed as he discovered tnat the
1gbt between the widows was simulTco
nv their fondness for Lewis Crosby. who
looked as II he spent half his HE stahdlhl
in n corn-neld 10 protect the sprinSing
shoo.s from crows,
'Who had this cherub nrsl! asHeu
Justice John. oo,.o,
Mary nut her hand up, as II 10 cover
a bIush. forgetting how effectually ma
ture had hidden any little evidence OF
embarrassment. -
"He tole me-" she said slowly las how
he was goin' TO marry me, ana we Wa
IN sweetniss wild ono nudder.
I'm love with one onother! sala JUS
tice John. 49,,
"Yas. sab. daj's HIT" said Mary, as
she put up her hands again.
Den" she said deliberately, "Mistar
Crosby. he 'menced goin' 10 see Dat
'oman, an / seed he wuz settin' up wild
her. an | went down thar fur TO gil
den TWO dollars done loan Mistar Crosb,
lore Christmas. an Lucinda say. What
YOU want haar oman an l say wants
TO see Mistar Crosby"
"pen she grab up de bucket Oh wader.
an ding It all ober me. just like dat"
and she made . vigorous motion. - II