Evening star., 1897-05-17
SUMMER WEATHER EFFECTS
large Increase in Number Of Prisoners at
Police Court.
Seventy-TyvO Were In Line This Morn
All COlored but Four.

With the approach of warm weather a
most noticeable increase in the business
OF the Police Court is daily apparent.
When the District branch of the court
was declared open this morning seventy
two prisoners were lined up in the dock.
OF the number, twenty were women, while
all the unfortunates, with the exception of
four, were colored. They were in triple
row and the majority fell into the tolls of
the law principally because they had been
drunk and fussy
Rufus Mny the First.
Rufus May" was the first name called
by the clerk, after his honor had mounted
the bench, and an individual as black as
tar, his clothing tattered and torn, worned
his way to the front. The clerk read an
accusation to the effect that Rufus is, and
has been since May 1, an idle and dis
orderly person, suspicious person-in fact,
a yagrant.
He was going from house to house yes
terday begging" explained policeman.
I'm not guilty since the 1st of May, as
this gentleman says" declared Rufus, in
dicating the clerk. Il only reached the
city yesterday
Where are you from?' asked his honor
Richmond" replied Rufus.
why did you come here?'
TO get something to eat"
What! exclaimed his honor somewhat
appalled,. Couldn't you get anything to
eat in Richmond?"
oh" replied Rufus, II didn't mean that
came all the way from Richmond to get
something to eTt. / was at Jackson City
yesterday, and there wasn't a morsel to be
found, so l came here
You will eat at the expense Of the Dis
trict for thirty days from date" remark
ed the court. Call the next case. Mr..
Clerk
Next a Duet
The next case was one of vagrancy, with
Walter Moore and William Kimball as de-
fendants. The attire of Walter and VIII
liam was not such as would pass them into
higher social circles without further recon-
mendation, but they evidently did not
care.
Another case Of trespassing on the re-
mains of the steamer Mary Washington
your HONOR explained Policeman Sontag
The only other known place of residence
of these men is the boiler Of the steamer
w. w. Corcoran, resting on the Potomac
flats"
The defendants. who said they hailed
from a town called Charlotte, were COM
PEELED to admit that the statement of the
policeman was correct
F1fteen days EACH" sentenced Judge
kimball. When you get out you had bet
ter travel back to Charlotte, just as fast as
your legs will carry YOU
I'VE won't ;arry here, and that's the
TRUTH murmured Walter as he stepped
back.
Prosecutor Pugh's Joke.
What have you been taking this morn
ing, sir?" asked his honor of Ambrose
jerks. man of downtrodden appearance.
who was apparently trying to count more
than ten fingers on his two hands. jerks,
who had been arrested outside the court
house by Policeman M. Joseph Flynn, for
being disorderly. pondered much with him
self, but failed to make answer.
Speak up, SIR" demanded Bailiff Cole,
trying to find some new whiskers on his
chin.
We'll. SIR" finally responded Ambrose
with reluctance. II had a gill of whisky
and a few thoughts
This man reminds me of a bargain
counter" interrupted Prosecuting Attorney
Pugh. 1T seems that he is full of queer
notions"
Thirty days." ruled the court
You get one calendar month Ambrose"
added a bailiff. ''Step back"
Ambrose stepped directed.
Fate Favored the WrIies.
Fate was kind to pair of Willies today
William Brown and William Cole, brunette
citizens from the sunny south, charged
with vagrancy by Policeman Owen.
Several citizens informed me that these
men had been begging" stated the police
man.
Begging what?' inquired Prosecuting
Attorney Pugh. Coin of the realm?"
Exactly
Did yoa see them in the act?' the court
wanted to know.
Nope"
Case dis missed"
AS the two Willies wandered out to free
dom in the May air. they maryeled much at
their great good fortune.