The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-23
A PORTIA OF ,,oono
~ THE BACKWOODS.
The judge Who Made a Repusa-
ton Without Dreaming That
He Had Done So.

the Omega Oyer and Terminer in the heart
OF the great agricultural district Of the
State. The court was then composed of
. Supreme Court Judge presiding, and two
Justices Of the Sessions. that *. two JUS
tees Of the ace Il the county designated
for such purpose
This formidable bench was a survival Of
the old English procedure. which had long
since lost the practical advantages it may
have once had. The Justices of the Ses-
sions were mere supernumeraries. con-
suited formally, perhaps, on the extent Of
Q sentence, but never even attempting
to advise on questions Of law. all Of which
were decided BY the presiding Judge as il
sitting alone.
These associates of mine were burly
men with broad faces, square jaws. tiny
eyes and expansive whiskers, enough alike
In lack Of expression TO be twins. Indeed,
they were cousins. Horton by name. Squire
Jim from the north and Squire Joe from
the south part Of the county; thinking alike
and acting alike, when they thought and
acted At all, and combining. in the judg
nent Of their admring electorate, into
legal tower Of strength.
The first part Of the term was taken up
by a general Jail delivery. the disposition
Of minor criminals who had been unable
10 procure bail Throughout this in
Quest-it was little else. for almost every
che plea did guilty-the two Horizons at
either end of the desk played a dual role
of rural dignity, 70 the qualification of the
gaping onlookers. They seldom moved,
they never spoke; now solemnly munchng
tobacco. and now. even more solemnly,
doing from their labors.
One Friday afternoon this somewhat
perfunctory work was concluded, and
District Attorney Sprole suggested sd-
journment until Monday morning next
when he would move the Littell case.
There was q stir and a whisper in the
room. and noticed that the Horizons reused
sufficiently to exchange glances from the
corners OF their dull little eyes A sharp
faced attorney named Braze nodded assent
for the defence, the clerk entered the or
der, the crier adjourned court. Evidently
there was to be no application for post
ponement in the cause, whatever it might
be
As l sat for moment, completing my
minutes, I noticed one of those little scenes
OF human interest that abound in court
rooms A young and handsome woman
laid her hand on the arm of man passing
out in charge Of two deputies He turned
and saw that he was as young and hand
sOme as she
The pair. with faces close together, sped
whisper back and forth. Then out he
was led. amid friendly and encouraging
words from the crowd; while she, standing
at one side In posture full of spirit and
power. followed him with eyes of devotion.
1t was with Increasing depression that
! gathered up my papers and went through
the retiring room that opened just back
OF the desk out into the main corridor.
As the crowd parted to the right and the
left. l realized that | was a stran ger in a
strange land. More than this, while there
was an excited hustle before and behind,
a silence, shrink ne, attended me, as If
this land. beside being strange, was also
hostile
Though l was but young man and this
was my first visit to Omega |, of course,
as did everyone in the State, knew some
thing Of the conditions prevailing there
Indeed. the Governor. in signing me to
hold this extraordinary term, had warned
me that must he prepared TO exert In full!
that commanding influence over iures
which was said to characterize me as a
judge.
essentially agricultural and sufficient to
It's own needs. preserved in its people the
virtues and vices OF a patriarchal period.
few years before, when the Ambient
War waged the fiercest, it had offered a
practically unan imous resistance TO the col
lection of feudal charges upon its lands
Though. quoting legislation had been
enacted since, the embers of that struggle
still smouldered and hared and one, FAR
lena 9p0aitiyo than L m npnt1ar itnnrasliApS
and far less morbdly anxious to do well
could have recognized that in the Lttell
case prejudice and passion were once more
arrayed against the law.
I was thinking over these matters in
my hotel room. distracted now and again
by the vision of girls face full of spirit
and power and provoking with a resem-
blance ! could not place, when the door
cautiously opened. and slight and with
cred old man slipped in ahead of its hasty
cloeing.
'I'm Jabez Quine,- he said.
Indeed l replied, indiferently. for he
was mean in expression and dress.
The owner OF the immortal leases"
he continued.
Very we'll, sir and what can do for
you'"
Il want to talk with you about the Littel
case. the case Of that infamous pirate,
the ringleader, the chief"
Hush" | said, sterniy. If you must
talk. will hear anything OF common knowl-
edge, but nothing of the merits"
The merits" he screamed, enlarged,
and almost impressive with passion. III
YOU can see any merits, young man, in
conspiracy, barnburnng and riot. you'd
better throw up your job to onct. Merits'
There hain't none. | want to sarve you
good turn. to war;. you--"
Against whom?"
Against your 'sociates, Squire Jim and
Joe; they're heart an soul in SYM
You need go no further" ! Interrupted.
rising 10 my feet. @My associates. | make
no doubt. are worthy men and incorrup-
tible Magistrates Even il they were not,
tn " would not dare to attempt To override
me. Let me assure you, sir, that equal
aud exact justice will be done in this case"
Mr.. Quine laughed most unpleasantly.
Squire Jim and Joe wouldn't dare. hey?"
h, repeated. Say. they don't teach how
TO spell that word in Omcgy county. Them
two Horizons are thicker'n mud with the
Littels and the Riders. Excuse mo, judge"
and the old man peered curiously into
my face-"but that reminds mo of what
they was sayin' about the court room. You
amt no kin to the Riders. bo you? You
do favor them for a fact"
Il don't know what you are talking about"
! said stiffiy. "but I have no relatives or
friends in this county. And now, as have
an accumulation Of work."
you WASH III git, hey Well, ] viii,
Judge But mark NY words and here
the Ares OF passion blazed again M If they
would cri c and consume the weazen
.t.f, 20 tl,Arf L.