The Forrest City times., 1898-08-26
THE SCALESOF JUSTICE
By HEhRlETTE oILcHRIsT.
HVoU are an exceedingly violent

and dangerous person" said the presiding magistrate, with great solem- nifty; you have assaulted this gentle mana harmless journalist, too-in the most brutal manner; you have kicked him and inflicted very serious injuries. 1t was your obvious intention to steal his gold watch and chain, and it was only by the most strenuous efforts, and by dint of much painful physical exer- tion on his part, that he bravely suc- ceeded in holding you during the 15 minutes before the arrival of the con- stable. Worst of all, judge from your present demeanor that you are quite unrepentant."
 At this point the prisoner interrupted with a series of remarks which, in these pages, are best expressed by the pure and inoffensive dash, which may, as usual, be translated according to the vocabulary of the reader.
 II shall be obliged" continued the magistrate unctuously, smacking his lips, ito make severe example of you; this kind of behaviour must be checked at all costs; l feel it to be my duty to sentence you (breathless silence in court)--to-three-days-penal servi- tude."
 Once more the spectators breathed freely; the terrible tension was over: amid the general rustic and murmur enc faint gasp of horror was hardly no- ticed. It was forced from the lips of the journalist, who was the other prin- cipal actor in the little episode. His head was still striking study in sur gical bandages, and he walked by the aid of two sticks. As soon as the sentence was pronounced he left the court, and at once drove home and went to bed, prey to some of the most painful emotions which can fill the human breast. He explained to his landlady, who fed him tenGerly on gruel, that he wss the victim of bitter remorse at the thought of the terrible punishment which he had been the means of bring ing upon fellow-creature.
 Comforting thoughts, however, seemed to come with the gruel-for at intervals Perkins burst out into wild, unrestrainable chuckles.
 On the third morning he arose early, summoned a hanson and drove to his bank; from thence he drove towards the attractive neighborhood of Penton- vile, alighting some little distance from the free hotel known as Holloway, where certain number of her majes- tvs subjects are lodged free of charge. He watched the entrance covertly, and precisely cn the stroke of ten he saw emerging a forlorn little group of shamefaced men. He watched them keenly as they separated and went their different ways. Some had friends some had none-at least in evidence and of the latter was poor Bill Briggs, his recent assailant, but who had paid such heavy penalty for his crime. At the next corner Perkins overlook him as he slouched heavily away.
 Briggs, my man." he said, touching him on the shoulder, q hope you cher ish no resentment against me?"
 Briggs stared, with lowering brow, but could see nothing at which 10 take affroEt in the genially beaming and open countenance with which Perkins approached him.
 Shall we agree" he continued, ito let bygones be bygones? You, in the course of your vocation, came into ac- cidental contact with me in the pur- suance of mine, while Thy heart bleeds at the thought of what you have undergone for that one small acci- dent"
 Briggs looked at him from the cor ner of his b,eary eye, and coughed a whispered cough behind his hand.
 T, as you will acknowledged con- tinued Perkins, 'am not to blame for the length of that cruel sentence: in- deed, may say that l was quite as much surprised at it as you yourself. However. that is the magistrates af- fair, not mine. Shall we cry quits over glass of four 'arf?"
 Such an attractive olive branch was net to be resisted