Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-12-26
A PoRTIA OF THE BAcKWooDS.
The Judge Who Made a Reputation
Without Dreaming That He Had
Done So.

Done So.
a good many years ago | was mold
ing the omega oyer and Termner in the
heart of the great agricultural district
OF the state. The court was then com
posed OF Il supreme court judge, presid-
ing, and two Justices OF the sessions,
that is, two Justices Of the peace of the
county designated Tor such purpose.
This formidable bench was a survival
of the old English procedure, which had
long since lost the practical advantages
ii may have once had. The justices of
the sessions were mere supernumer-
aries, consulted formally, perhaps, on
the extent of sentence. but never at
tempting to advise ON questions Of law,
all of which were decided by the presid-
ing Judge rs 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 ali, and
combining, ia che judgment of thep
admiring electorate. into "A legal tower
of strength.
The first part Of the term was taken
up by general Jail delivery, the dispo-
sition of minor criminals who had been
unable to procure bail, Throughout
this inquest--it was little else. for almost
every one pleaded guity-the two Hor-
tons at either end of the desk played
a dual role of rural dignity, to the graft
fcatlon of the gaping onlookers They
seldom moved, they never spoke, now
solemnly munChing tobacco, ana now,
even more solcmnly. doing from their
labors.
one Friday afternoon this somewhat
perfunctory work was concluded, and
District Attorney Sprole suggested ad-
journment until Monday morning next
when he would move the Littell case.
There was a stir and whisper in the
room, and noticed that the Horizons
reused sufficiently to exchange glances
from the corners of their dun little eyes.
a sharpfaced attorney named Braze nod
ded assent for the defence the clerk en-
tered the order. the crier adjourned
court. Evidently there was to be no
application for postponement in the
cause. whatever ii might be,
AS | sat for Il moment completing my
minutes, | noticed one of those little
scenes of human interest that abound
in court rooms. young and handsome
woman laid her hand on the arm of a
man passing out in charge of two depu-
ties. He turned and saw that he was
as young and handsome as she.
The pair, with faces close together
sped a whisper back and forth. Then
out he was led. amid friendly and en-
couraging words from the crowd; while
she, standing at one side in a posture
fun of spirit and power followed him
with eyes of devotion
1t was with increasing depression that
l 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. | realized that | was
a stranger in II strange land. More
than this. while there was an excited
hustle before and behind. a silence, a
shrinking, attended me- as If this land
beside being strange. also hostile
Though / was but a young man anC
this was my first visit to Omega, l. OF
course, as did everyone in the state
knew something of the conditions pre-
vailing there. Indeed. the Governor, il
assigning to hold this extraordinary
term, had warned me that ! must b,
prepared to exert in full that command
ing influence over juries which was saiC
to characterize me a Judge.
The county. remote from lines O
travel, essentially agricultural and suf
cient to its own needs preserved in IT.
people the virtues and vices of patriar
chal period. A few years before whel
the Anti-Rent War waged the fiercest
it had offered a practically unanimous
resistance to the collection OF feuda
charges upon its lands.
Though quoting legislation had beef
enacted since tne efnDerS oil tnat StrUB
gle still smouldered and fared; and one
far less sensitive than | to popular i'm
pressions and far less morbidly anXou
to do well. could have recognized that ii
the Littell case prejudice and passion
Were once more arrayed against the law
L was thinking over these matters il
my hotel room, distracted now and agai
by the vision of a girls face fun o
spirit and power and provoking with
resemblance l could not place, when tn
door cautiously opened, and slight an
withered old man Slipped in ahead o
its hasty closing.
I'm Jabez Qune," he said.
Indeed" 1 replied. indifferently, TO
he was mean in expression and dress.
The owner of the immortal leases h
continued.
Very well. sir, and what can | do 70
your"
II want to talk with you about tn
Littell case, the case of that infamou
pirate, the ringieader. the chief"
Hush" 1 said. sternly. IF yo
must talk. l will hear anything of com
mon knowledge. but nothing of tn
merits"
1.-THE merits" he screamed, enlarged
and almost impressive with passion. Il
you can see any merits. young man, Il
conspiracy. barnburning and riot YOU
better throw up your job to onct Merits
There haint none / want to sarve yo
Against whoIn?"
Against your sooiates. Squire Jim an
Joe; they're heart an soul in sym"
You need so no further" l inter
rupted, rising to my feet. m
associates. make doubt. ar
worthy men and incorruptible Magis
trates. Even if they were not, the
would not dare to attempt to overul
me- Let me assure you. sir, that equa
and exact justice will be done in thi
case"
Mr.. Quine laughed most unpleasantly
Squire Jim and Joe wouldn't dare
hey?' he repeated, Say, they don
teach how to spell that word in Omeg
county. Them two Horizons are thick
er'n mud with the Littells and the Ri
ders. Excuse me. Judge"-and the oh
man peered curiously into my iace-"bu
that reminds me of what they was sayin
about the court room. You amt n
kin TO the Riders. he you? You do favo
them for IA fact"
Il don't know what you are talking
about" / said stiffiy, but | have no rel
atives or friends In this county. Ant
now, as | have an accumulation o
work
You wish ia git. hey? Well, | will
Judge But mark my words and her
the fires of passion bazed again as /
they would catch and consume tn
weaZen frame" watch out for them Hor
tons. They know as well as ! do tina
an Omegy jury will stand to their oaths
specially when it's put straight t.
Them and if they kin overrule or sar
ant x.ftII 4,