Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-09-17

with it, protested the saloon keeper.
No, but you've got something to do
with it now. What did we elect you
coroner fur, I'd like to know? You've
got to hustle around and panel your
jury and bring in a verdict of accidental
death or something of that sort. Bring
any sort kind of verdict that'll save
trouble in future. | believe in law and
order, do, and like to see things done
regular -
''But we didn't have no jury for them
cowboys" said Mike.
We'll, cowboys is different. 1t didn't
so much matter about them. Still it'd
oughter been done even with cowboys
il we were mcre'n half civilized. Moth
ing like having things down on the rec
ord straight and shipshape. Now some
of you fellows help me in with the body
and Mike'll panel his jury in three
shakes "
There is nothing like an energetic,
public spirited man for reducing chaos
to order. Things began to assume their
normal attitude, and the crowd began
to look to Sam for instructions as to the
proper thing to do. He seemed to I'M
derstand the etiquette of these occasions,
and those present felt that they were
ignorant and inexperienced compared
with him.
The body was laid out on bench in
the room at the back of the saloon,
while the jury and the spectators were
accommodated with such seats as the
place afforded, Hickory Sam himself
taking an elevated position on the top
of IA barrel where he could as it were,
preside over the arrangements. 1t was
vaguely felt by those present that Sam
bore no malice toward the deceased, and
this was put down rather to his credit
81 think" said the coroner, looking
hesitatingly up at Sam, with an express
sion which showed he was quite pre-
pared to withdraw his proposal if it
should prove inappropriate. Il think
we might have the lawyer over here.
He knows how these things should be
done, and he's the only man in Salt
Lick that's got Bible to swear the
jury on. l think they ought to be
sworn.
That's a good idea, " CONQUERED Sam.
zone of you run across for him and tell
him to bring the book. Nothing like
having those things regular and proper
according to law. "
The lawyer had heard Of the catas
trophe, and he came promptly over to
the saloon, bringing the book with him
and some papers in his hand. There
was now no doubt about Sans knowl-
edge Of the proper thing to do, when it
was found that che lawyer quite agreed
with him that an inquest, under the
circumstances, was justifable and ac-
cording to precedent. The jury found
that the late Mr.. Butler had "died
through misadventure, which phrase,
sarcastically suggested by the lawyer
when he found that the verdict was 60
ing to be accidental death, " pleased
the jury, who at once adopted it,
When the proceedings were so pleas
antly terminated by verdict accepta-
bic to all parties, the lawyer cleared his
throat and said that his late client, hav.
ing perhaps a premonitiou of his fate,
had recently made a will, and he had
desired the lawyer to make the will
pubic as soon as possible after his death
As the occasion seemed in every way
suitable the lawyer proposed, with the
permission OF the coroner, to read that
portion which Mr.. Butler desired should
receive the widest possible publicity.
Mike glanced with INDIGESTION at the
lawvc~ "uA - Sq'T s!"tng high above
the crowd on tho barrel.
Certainly said Hickory Wed
all like 10 hear tho will. although sup
pose us none Of our business. "
The lawyer made no comment on this
remark, but bowling to the assemblage
unfolded a paper and read it.
CONTINUED next week.