The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09


died on the bailiff's knee perhaps and
put through the usual PAGES which
bring quiet to the unstrung nerves of
an infant. Coyne is a past master II
the art of quieting babies Ought to
know how, I've brought up more than
a half dozen of 'em meself." explains
Coyne. If there is an unruly person
in the room the judge may take hand
and issue orders and instructions but
if there is an unruly baby no orders are
given At the first cry of a baby Coyne
is on the alert and a baby that he
couldn't quiet is yet to be found.
one of Coyne's duties is to guard the
door to the judges private chamber
when the judge is busily engaged IN
reviewing authorities and deciding q
case. Then Coyne sits just outside the
door and smooth is the man who gets
by. Coyne was a sailor on man O
war years ago and he can guard the
door to n private Office ike a marine
would guard hatchway. Lawyers VINO
wish the ear of the judge for a moment
use their best smiles and choicest cigars
to win the consent from Coyne to pass
/ into the santo sanctorun. but all to no
use It takes a mighty smooth article
/ of barney to serve as a pass word. one
] dav not long ago, however, COyne lost
/ part of his invincible reputation A
/ Young man. nice looking, intelligent,
/ neatly dressed and with a tongue that
was we'll trained, accosted Coyne as he
sat guard outside the door to the
' Il would Ike to see the judge" said
Hes very busy" said cOyne; you'll
have to come again
But this is something wish to see
/ him about personally" said the man.
/ ..Will you please see if can have just
! a moment with him.
mo uSe.' said COME. He's busy
and VIII see no wan"
but my business is important;
/ leave town tonight" said the man.
He was so persistent that COyne
looked him over. There was no evil
dence i'll the appearance of the man
that was against him. He wasn't
book agent, for he carried no books,
not even in his pockets. He looked
prosperous. COyne relented and went
/ into the judges chamber. but he closed
the door behind him before the man
could follow him.
ledge, said Coyne, there's man
! out here who wants to see ye.'
Who is hep asked the judge, who
/ was very busy.
Il dunno" said Coyne. he looks all
right. He's well dressed. Says he is
going to leave town tonight"
Tell him to come in. said the Judge,
acting on Coyne's recommendation
Coyne opened the door and the man
Judge, I'm glad to see you" said
the man when he had entered The
judge was standing. Have chair
Coyne stared at the intruder.
I can listen to you standing" said
the Judge. What can do for yOu2'
We'll, Judge, have chair said the
man, and he pulled up a chair and
would not begin with the statement OF
his mission until the judge was seated.
When his victim was seated the young
man slipped his hand under his coat.
Coyne thought it might be a revolver.
Tt wasn't; it was the hinged together
backs of set of books, 81 in number,
/ and besides that there was a sample
copy of one of the volumes. The man
grasped one of the hinged affairs quite
firmly, gave a jerk and pull and
throw and the full length of the 81 vol
umes went flying past Coyne's head I'M
til the patent unfolding device was
stretched across the room.
"A book agent" exclaimed Coyne.
The judge dismissed the man at once;
that is, as quickly as a book agent can
be dismissed. Then the judge looked at
Coyne. The bailiff followed in the wake
of the book agent.
Coyne was mad so mad that he
wouldn't even lecture the book agent.
That IS the only book agent who ever
got past Coyne. Think of it, said
Coyne, he actually told the jedge to
sit down.
1t was not long after that woman
arrived in the court room to see the
judge The judge, however. was In his
chambers The woman wished to see
MIN personally myself at once. OOyn6
SPARED for time but the woman per-
sisted.
What do We want with him?' asked
Coyne
4 want to get a marriage license
said the woman.
we've come to the wrong place
man, said Coyne. YEN have to go to
the probate for the license. This court
deals only in divorces and that's enough
without dom the marryin'"
''Yis, sent her down to the probate
said Coyne. and then the probate gave
me 10 cent cigar for me part in the
deal and when I got the cigar the clerk
says, That's a tin cinter and kind
rich fer We SEE, tNothin's too rich for
the Irish .
A Sure Thine