The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-07-07
The SCALESOF JUSTICE
BY HENRIETTE oILcHRIsr.
AVoU are an exceedingly violent

oAu PSAoOfss oAa0 tAS
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.
ton ON his part, that he bravely sue
ceeded in holding you during the Is
minutes before the arrival of the con-
stable. Worst of all, I judge from your
present demeanor that you arc quite
unrepentant."
At this point the prisoner interrupted
with series of remarks which, in
these pages, are hest 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, ''to make severe example of you;
this kind of behaviour must be checked
at all costs; feel it to be my duty tc
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 murmul
enc faint gasp of horror was hardly no.
ticed. 1t 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 aie
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 cruel, that he
was 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-fol
at intervals Perkins burst out into
wild, understandable chuckles.
On the third morning he arose early,
summoned 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.
To ofoh ol
precisely on 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, 81 hope you Cher
ish no resentment against me?"
Briggs stared, with lowering brow,
but could see nothing at which to take
affroEt in the genially beaming and
open cOuntenance with which Perkins
approached him.
Shall we agree" he continued. ato
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 I-my heart
bleeds at the thought of what you have
undergone for that one small acct
dent"
Briggs looked at him from the cor
ner of his b!eary eye, and courhed a
whispered cough behind his hand.
Il, as you will acknowledge" com
tlnued Perkins, IAN not to blame for
the length of that cruel sentence: in
deed, l may say that 1 was quite as
much surprised at it as you YOURSELF.
However, that is the magistrate,s al,
fair, not mine. Shall we cry quits over
glass of four 'arf?"
Such an attractive olive branch was
not to be resisted.
tight you are. guv'nor," replied
Briggs, drawing his sleeve across his
mouth in anticipatory enjoyment. 81
don't bear you no ill will; it were a
iair light between us, and you was the
best man, but blime! guvtlor. YOU
came near to choking me-. and that
there flat ring o. yours saS y the last Of
my front tooth. Werenst that enough
for We, without CALM, the bloomin,
cop" (Only he didN>t saw blooming.
Il think could hNS~ cracked yer nut
in another minVAess, he added reflect.
lively.
By this shHs they had reached the
door "a the Kin g's Head; where, inside
s4e PrlSeee p ar, the conversation was
Sontlnsea> Under the genial influence
Qi several lots of 'four 'arf," and other
PfeasSnt refreshment for the inner
man. H,l Briggs completely thawed,
ana soon lost all sense of injury to-
WaroS the man who had been the means.
o. cartailing his joyous liberty for such
d heightened period.
Mr.. Magistrate Peters, the other chief
participant in this little episode, lives
on the borders of breezy Hampstead
Heath. 1t is his custom to freshen his
faculties after the day spent in close,
stuffy courts, by a twilight stroll be-
fore dinner across its pleasant expanse.
Not long after the above related incl
dents, he was taking this little consti-
tutional somewhat later than usual
perhaps; it was rather chilly evening,
and there were not many people
abroad. His eyes were bent thought
fully upon the ground, and he strolled
slowly, shifting appreciably the fresh,
gorse-scented breeze.
Suddenly from behind a neighboring