The Jersey City news., 1899-12-16

ssHERE'S THE EoEF, . SAID THE JUDGE. "NOT,
WHO OWNS 1T?'
ofhGnd way cs both judge and Jury in
disposinv Of the matter are related by
one OF the spectators az the trial"
Having Eaa1ed himself comfortably at
the ifdees desk, says the Seattle Post
Infeiligencer. the deputy marshal re-
marked Well | guess we viii go on
with this thing now. Mr.. Montifeld,
Gull the Jury"
The clerk called the roll, five Jurors an
sweFing to their names, but to the sixth
there was no response.
where's sharpshereY' demanded the
acting judge.
The clerk replied that the absentee
would be there in a few minutes.
"yyell, never mind him We will go
ahead without him
If it please the court, interposed Cap
tain Story, there are only five jurors
present. =
Never mind, . retofted his honor; FIVE
is as GOOD IS six. That's none Of your
business anyway. Now, captain he
continued. pIFnEing at orce in naedias res,-
''how about that bearskin?'
What bcsUssins' asked the captain IN
turn.
.ghe one | took from your cabin" re-
Piled the deputy.
Il do not know anything about it. 1t
was not mine. You took it from the Co
iambia Navigation company. 1t was
freight in transit for Daw"
Never mind all that" broke in the
court. What | want to know is who
owns it?"
Look here. marshal responded the
captain, ignoring the deputys new hon
ors, Il would ike to know what | am in
this case, anyhow Am / witness or
plaintiff or defendant? / got summons
to appear here, and ] would like TO know
what it is for. And | would also like to
know what right you or any one else has
to go to my cabin and take anything out
without legal measures being taken"
This criticism reused the deputy's ire.
81 knew you would kick" said he. You
are always kicking You're regular ca
Iamity howler, anyhow"
WELL" returned the sturdy captain,
that's what IN here for. l get paid for
it."
when l take anything" said the dep
uty, with crescendo effect, 4 take it, and
that's all there is about it,
Il know you do,n retorted the captain.
ssThat's where my kick comes in.
s'yTell, shut up, now, and tell US who
owns this robe!''
q don't know what robe you're talk
ing about" grumbled the captain, while
the crowd Uttered
This nettled' the acting judge consider
ably I'm soon show you" he said, and,
leaving his seat he went into his office
adjoining and presently returned with
polar bear skin rolled into a huge bundle
and tied with rope His reappearance
was greeted with more audible smiles BY
the spectators in the courtroom, and one
of them called out:
..Open her up. Frank, and let's have a
look at her!o
Frank" threw down his burden, loos-
ened the fastenings and with his foot
spread the great skin out ON the floor.
s~There is the robe" he announced
oraeularly. eNow, who owns it r.
Dead silence followed this demand for
Then, turning to the jury,
this acting Judge proceeded to enlight-
en- them as follows:
This case, or suit, is brought to prove
thar that man French owns this robe
on see, he owns the N. A. I. ana 4.
company $40 or $50 for rent. and they
have claim against him for that
amount. seized the robe for that claim.
Judge Crane wants to act fair in the
matter, 50 he IL letting me decide this
thing, as he is an interested party. Mr..
Afontifeld. what do you know about this
robeg''
AIr4 Monti6cid, besides being clerk Of
court. was also the transportation com