The Van Buren press., 1897-03-06


the coneeit out Of a man with soft, de-
lieious sarcasm that sometimes was
mistaken for compliment.
1t is said that Justice is blind, or has o
bandage around the head that hides the
eyes, while she holds pair of scales in
her right hand. She does not know the
parties TO the case, but weighs both
sides with an impartial hand, but Judge
Underwood said that when there was a
combination of lawyers to acquit a
criminal and cheat the gallows or the
chain gang a patriotic judge could not
help raising the bandage little bit, and
he did it. Sometimes when a defendant
was acquitted his lawyers would say
with aggravating impudence: well,
judge, you lost that case last night.
The jury have come down with a verdict
of not guilty"
"Yse," said the judge, "and you seem
to glory in having turned loose another
seoundrel upon the community"
He could not altogether suppress his
zeal for the state and good morals and
his last speech when charging the jury
on criminal case was convincing and
eonvicting if 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 good
people of the town. The entire commu-
nifty demanded their conviction and
punishment. But these fellows had
some property, and they combined and
employed every lawyer in the town,
end also Col. Winn and Judge Lester,
of Marietta, and Judge William Wright,
of Atlanta. These lawyers combined,
and with the help of one of the court Of
ficials, stocked the jury on the solicitor,
and one by one the rioters were acquit-
ted. On Friday the ringleader was put
on trial. The judge and the solicitor
felt absolutely sure of convicting him.
1t was candle-light when the judge
closed his charge to the jury and an
expressed pity for the people of Dallas,
upon whom seven of these lawless riot
ers had already been turned loose.
Finally he told the jury he was not well,
and if they found a speedy verdict tho
foreman could bring it to his room at
the hotel. When tho court adjourned
the lawyers got together and chuckled.
1t was not the same jury, but the cards
were still stocked, and SO about nine
o'clock the foreman came to the hotel
and knocked at the judges door.
"What is it?" said the judge. "Fore-
nan of the Jury, sir" was the reply.
well, sir, what is your verdict, Mr..
Foreman ?" "Well, judge, under the law
and the evidence we was obleeged to
find the defendant not gnilty."
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 your pocket,
sir, until morning l do not wish to
sleep with it in this room. From all
such verdicts may the good Lord de-
liver u.s."
The Judge was an early riser, and at
the first sound of the breakfast bell took
his seat at the head of the table. lie
was alone. He ordered his eggs soft
boiled and was preparing them when
Col. Winn came in, and with soft, sweet
voice said: Good morning, Judge Un-
derwood." "Good morning, Col. Winn,"
said the judge.
"How did you rest last night, judge?"
81 did not rest well, sir; not at all
we'll"
Winn took seat and after pause
said: "Well, judge, 1 understand you
lost another case last night"
The judge looked at him with undis-
guised contempt. II was not aware,
sir, that / had any case in court. do
not understand nor appreciate your eff
fort to be witty at my expense, and"
"Oh, Judge" said Winn, Il didn't
mean to offend you. Heartily beg your
pardon. You know you have been
against us in all these cases, and"
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 night?"
"Not WELL sir; not well at ALL"
"Well, judge, understand that you
lost another case last night"
The judge laid down his knife and
fork.
"Well, sir, this seems to be a combin-
alton TO insult me. What case have l
got, sir, or am presumed to have, that
you and Col. Winn seem to take such
an interest in? 1t is the state-the
state and the people of this community
that have a case, and you gentlemen
have resorted to questionable means
| and methods to"
Just then big Bill Wright came in.
He was six feet six and weighed $50
pounds, and had a voice like bass drum.
Good morning, Judge Underwood"
Good morning, Judge Wright"
"Well, judge, | understand you lost
another case last night"
This was the feather that broke the
camels back. Judge Underwood rose
from his seat and said:
Gentlemen, have been accustomed
all my official and professional life to
the respectful consideration of the
members Of the bar. This have al
ways received in my own circuit.
Neither of you belong to it. All | can
do is to sympathize with the judges
who have to endure your insolenee all
the year round. You have only afflicted
me for a week, and am pleased TO say
will never have the opportunity again"
But that was not the last of it. Vim