The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-22
Anecdotes of
Famous People.
THE JUDGES CHARGE.

The late Judge Rosencrans, of Saratoga
county, ~ Y. says the Green Bag, pos-
sessed most brilliant intellect. and could,
" he chose. so charge jury as to almost
certainly defeat u litigant that he de-
sired without giving the most astute law
yer any. good ground to take exceptions
to the charge.
A farmer, residing in his county. at
one time had, growing outside of his door
yard fence and really in the ground be-
longing to he road or highway, a gigau-
tic chestnut tree. For years the farmer
had honestly supposed that the nuts that
to him, and he had gathered them ac-
cordingly One day two stalwart butch-
ers, out on a calf-buying expedition. came
along and began to collect the nuts that
tree. Naturally the farmer objected TO
this and went out and forbade them.
Words followed, and an alteration en-
sued, In which the farmer, although a
smaller man than either of his antagon-
lists, gave them both a terrible drubbing.
They, knowing him to be amply able to
respond In damages. brought suit for
damages for assault and battery. The
case came on to be tried before Judge
Rosencrans. and he, thinking that the
ed to charge the jury in somewhat the
jury, charge you as matter Of law that
this defendant was not the owner of the
more right. to them than the plaintiffs
had: and, therefore. they are not entitled
to damages for the assault made upon
them. The only remaining question. then.
you to determine The evidence shows
that at the time he began the assault the
plaintiffs had gathered about a hatful Of
chestnuts with the burrs. Now, further
charge you that in estimating the amount
of damages to which you may think the
plaintiffs entitled, you have no right to
set Off against the same the value of the
chestnuts so gathered, even If you think
the damages shall amount to so much as
the value you may put upon the chest
nuts"
The jury brought in a verdict Of dam
ages for the plaintiffs in the sum of 6
cents.
MR.. VESTS INQUIRY.
Mr.. Vest. OF Missouri, was making a
speech in the senate the other day, says
the Washington Post, when first MIR.
Mr.. Sherman. all three addressing the
chair at the same time. Mr. Vest looked
amazed. and, after a minutes hesitation,
called out:
"Mr. President, Mr.. President"
The president paid no attention to Mr..
Vest. however. when the Missouri men,
ber suddenly changed his tactics by de-
claring his desire to make parliamentary
inquiry. This appeal was not lost on the
'"The gentleman from Missouri will state
Sherman.
II believe was addressing the senate.
and had the floor" said Mr.. Vest, .'but
It seems that 1 have no longer got 1t. If
] can't get it any other way. / rise to a
parli;am,entary inquiry to find out how
There was a ripple of laughter in the
q m ui1a for hi
interruption. and Mr.. Vest continued to
hold the fort.
HOW STEVENS FELT
"a great many stories have been told
about my distinguished predecessor, Thad-
deus Stevens, whose district I have the
honor to represent" said Mr.. Brosius, of
Pennsylvania, but here Is one that Is new
to me.
congress which aroused the opposition of
the combined southern members. He made
a brilliant speech in favor Of 1t, and equal
ly brilliant speeches were made on the
other side. and the upshot of 1t was that
Stevens was outvoted after very bitter
and passionate partisan debate.
"Stevens was still boiling with disap-
pointment end bitterness when Tombs. Of
Georgia, In taunting way, asked him:
We'll, Stevens, how do You feel over
your defeat"
"'Feel?' snapped back Stevens, feel? I
feel like the poor man at the rich mans
gate, who was licked by the dogs"
H \ Il
WHITMAN MISSED A FORTUNE.
Walt Whitman. the philosopher poet and
William DeVere, the Editor" in Hoyts
play, "a Black Sheep" were close friends
In the days when "Pfaffs" was the head
quarters Of Bohemia in New York city.
Once Whitman said. .-..Rill- -a1a-,-sa++- l=,,1,t.-
that ] once had the chance to become 4
very rich man."
"1s that so?" was DeVere's answer.
"How was it?'
why, when I wrote Leaves of Grass