The Jennings daily record., 1902-07-28
Arizona Justice.
The Barber's Verdict on DIE Killing Of
the Smithson Goat.


above the level OF the sea, far
away from any railroad, the little
town of Mineral Springs was in
~ state of great excitement. for the
hotel keepers pet goat had been killed
by schoolboy. The town was worked
fable. nevertheless the hotel keeper de-
manded that the boy should be punished
and they had him arrested and asked
that the barber, who was the only
justice of the peace in all the country
round should bring him up for trial.
This was why the barber was walking
up and down his shop, wringing his
hands and exclaiming: "Ach Lieber
Gott! was ever a poor justice of the
peace in such fix before?"
He was the horns of a terrible
dilemma. for If he gave the verdict for
Samson. the f1fteen-year-old son of Texas
Jim, who killed Billy, he would incur the
enmity of Mr.. and Mrs. Lincoln, and
this meant the loss of the hotel trade.
upon which he depended for his living.
And it was all the fault of Mrs Lin
coin. the hotel keepers wife, who would
not keep her goat tied up, although re-
peatedly importuned to do so. the parents
of the children whom it molested being
afraid to do more than demonstrate, as
they also depended for their support on
the hotel.
Such was the state Of things when
Samson's arrest came to the ears Of a
OOrly brewer from Milwaukee, who was
guest at his hotel.
The boy was favorite of his, on ac-
count OF his obliging disposition in run
ring many little errands when the old
gentleman's rheumatism prevented his
waiting on himself. Therefore, the mo-
ment he heard Samson was in trouble, he
hied him to the BARRIERS for a shave, and
had heart to heart talk with his coun-
tryman. He waited till his lips were free
from lather, and then with many mods
and winks whispered something to Judge
Stein, which caused the distracted barber
to poise his razor in mid air and look
with admiration on his customer. one side
of whose face was snowy white, and the
other as red beet. "Donner uhd
blitzen. mein Herr" he exclaimed. you
must have the brain Of a Solomon"
On the day OF the trial the court room
was crowded. Judge Stein sat in state on
an upturned barrel in front of wooden
plank, supported on two other barrels by
way CT a table. He looked very stern,
but his heart was pumping like steam
engine for there stood Mrs. Lincoln like
a living rainbow. arrayed in seven dl1er-
ent colors, before him. pleading her own
cause She tearfully lamented the loss of
her dear Billy declared there was not
such beautiful Angora goat on the
ranch where he raised, and wiped
her eyes on a lace pocket handkerchief az
she avcrred that the killing was mere
wanton cruelty on the part of the mis-
chievous boy. Texas Jim, in his usual
diury red shirt. mis- long tangled locks
r,stirc on his shoulders. his faded trous-
ers tucked into his boots. listened in grim
silence as he tightly clutched ms pat
tered felt halt with both OF his Drown
hands but Samson. 1.-the and active, stood
,.nconcernedlv beside his father. with
ewes modestlv bent on the ground.
.And now what has the prisoner at the
har TO say for hinlself?" asked the judge,
slaring al the culprit.
The bar was a mere figure of speech,
but the prisoner was real live tact SO
ne stepped up to the wooden plank. thre"
hack his head squared his shoulders, and
spoke out like the brave boy that ne was
..'ri,ne and agiu your honor said he,
..haye' driven off Billy from the kids,
but that day. with my brothers and sis
ters. l was riding into town. and before
we come in sight of the schoolhouse, we
heard the children a-screaming, ana seen
Billy a bouncing. and a huttlnE them.
And before I could git up to him. he had
knocked down pore little girl and was
worrying her with his horns. 1t maoe
me feel kinder tired, so ! spurs my
bronco at him, whiring my RATA as l
rode. and In twinkling had him prone
on the ground; then as the pony he'd the
rope taut I swings off the saddle ana
quiets him for good. ! reckon l done
wrong, your honor. but I'd DO IT agn. on
the same provocatiOn. for l allow that
mean to defend every female l find In
trouble, as long as llVe' no niatter WHIT
happens to me-
The conclusion of this speech elected
roar of applause from the cowboys who
crowded the doorwaEs, but the judge wilt
ed them with a grance of his eagle eye
and a shake of his massive brow. Then
he turned appealngly to the boys father.
Now. jim" sad he, don't you think that
fine strong boy of yours could have man.
aged the goat differently!
IT allow that he could, your honor but
| think that he managed him just about
right" replied jim; and then the cowboys
laughed so uproariously that the judge
who used his razor strap for a gavei
brought it sharply down on the wooden
plack. and threatened them with con.
tempt of court,
Then ne pronounced the verdict that
made him famous for the rest of his life
II find the prisoner at the bar moi
guilty" he said-here Mrs. Lincoln's va
riegated silk dress was heard to rustR
plainly, whereupon the judge hastily con
cluded his sentence-"hut | fine his father
SO for the damage done TO the goat, be
cause his boy did not ask my leave tt
| kill it,"
Silence reigned in the courtroom wher
the astonished audience first heard thu
verdict. 1t was unon the cowboys 1t!
| conciliatory nature first dawned, and thet
| Indian Hell OF approNal was answered D!
q rousiug cheer from the rest of thu
| crowd Never had any of Judge Stein:
| former verdcts net with such univefsa
| favor Texas Jim grinned broadly as HI
! dug his sunburnt fist into his trouse
| pocket and laid twelve silver dollars al
| in a row on the wooden plank before tn
| Judge Mrs. Lincoln threw a smile of tri
umph over the assembly, and every on
| rushed up to Samson. who was plainly tn
hero of the day, and shook hands will
| him; while tn" cowboys forcing their wa.
| through the crowd. carried off the barbe
on their shoulders to drink his health. A
for the champion of the school. he rod
| home surrounded by a bodyguard of hi
| schoolmates vociferating his praise all tn
| way.
| Il cannot imagine" said a tall, lanls,
BOSTON lawyer, as he left the courtroom