The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-03-20
eHe could not altogether suppress his zeal


for the state and good morals and his last
speech when charging the jury on crimi.
nal case was convincing and convicting II
he believed the defendant guilty. The last
court he ever held was at Dallas, and the
entire week was spent in the trials OF eight
defendants who were charged with most
outrageous riot and much violence done the s
good people of the town. The entire COM
munity demanded their conviction and pun
ishment But these fellows had some prop
erty and they combined and employed every
lawyer in the town also Colonel VIM ana
Judge Lester, of Marietta. and Judge VII.
liam Wright of Atlanta. These lawyers
combined, and with the help OF one OF the
court officials stocked the jury on the solicit
tor, and one by one the rioters were acqult-
ted, On Friday the ringleader was put on
trial. The Judge and solicitor felt apso- :
lutely sure of convicting him. 1t was can
delight when the Judge closed his charge
to the jury, and an expressed pity Tor the
people of Dallas, upon whom seven OF
these lawless rioters had already been
turned loose. Finally he told the jury he
was not WELL and If they found speedy
verdict the foreman could bring It to MS
room at the hotel. When court adjourned
the LAWYERS got together and chuckled. IL
was not the same jury, but the CARDS were
still stocked, and SO about O'Clock tne
foreman came to the hotel and knocked as
the judges door.
of the Jury, SIR" was the reply. We'll, sir,
what is your verdict, Mr.. Foreman" well,
indigo. under the law and the evidence, we
was ableeged to find the defendant nos
guilty."
The Judge turned over In his bed and
groaned, MAY the Lord help us and save
the country Mr.. Foreman, you can keep
that verdict in YOU pocket SIR un:il m o th;s
room. From all such verdicts may the gooo
Lord deliver US.
The nudge was an early riser and at the
drst sound of the breakfast bell took his
seat at the head of the table. He was alone.
| He ordered his eggs soft boiled and was
| preparing them when Colonel VIM cau9
| tn and with soft, sweet voice said; "dooo
morning. Judge Underwood" dooo
morning, Colonel Winn,' said the Judge.
| "How did YOU rest last nights Judgef
"I did not rest well, sir; not at all Well
| VIM took a seat and after pause said;
| .sWell. Judge, understand you lost an
| other case last night.
The iudce looked at him with undisguised
contempt. 81 was not aware, sir, that had
| any case in court. / do not understand nor
appreciate Your effort to- be witty at my ex-
/ pense, and"
sOb. Judge said VIM, 81 didn't mean to
offend you / heartily beg your pardon;
| You know you nave pcon o5oi1Ss - - -
/ these cases, and a..
/ Just then Judge Lester came in and with
/ his rough. honest voice and his empty sleeve
singing along. said: "Good morning Judge
/ Underwood. How did you rest last nightf
ssNot well, sir; not well at all
"wen, judge. ] hear that you lost another
case last night.
NWen. sir. this seems 10 be combination
to insult me. What case have got sir, OF
am presumed to have, that you ana Coione
Winn seem to take such an interest fnf
Is the state-the state and the people OF TIM
community that have case, and you gentle
men nave resorted to questionable asss'
|, and methods to-" ~
Just then big Bin Wright came In.
4 was six feet six and weighed zoo pounus
: and had voice like base drum
"Good morning, Judge Underwood.
"Good morning, Judge Wright.
ssWeIl. Judge, l understand you lost an
: other case last night.
| That was the feather that broke the cam
: els back. Judge Underwood rose from ~
: seat and said:
"Gentlemen, haye been accustomed a
. nv official and professional life TO the r.
. snectful consideration OF the members OF Tn
. har. This have always received In m
II own circuit Neither OF you belong 10 !
n All can do is to sympathize with the judge
Il who have to endure your insolenee all %
: wear round. You have only afflicted me ie
O a week and am pleased TO say VIII ney'
= have the opportunity again.
a RI1t that was not the last OF it. VIM an
10 Lester and Wright saw that they had gor
4. too far. They all loved Underwood and a.
is m red him. They hurried to the door an
r ..opped his exit and begged his pardon an
l. apologized and explained and before i w y,
a yer they were all friends again, anu - :,
% ,oie and more soft-boiled eggs ~ere orde
e I'd and there was peace--delightfu peac
m AIasi these good men are all dead.
,e BILL Arp in A. eGenstitution-