The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-10

remember the exciting time in the trial
Of the Star Route cases, when Merricl,
threw an ink we'll at 1ngersoll; tie fight
between counsel engaged on either side
in the Breckinridge-Polla case, and
others of more recent date
So it can be seen that the work of a
court reporter is not one continual dig
for news items and scoops" without any
incidents to interest and enliyen it from.
Gay to day and week to week
Even in the Court of Appeals for the
District sometimes the pleas made by
counsel cause a relaxation Of the
solemnity and austerity which usually
pervade the members OF the court
Not long ago a dignifed member of the
bar was called on to represent friend
in justice of the peace court, in a case
involving the payment of S35. Both par
ties to the suit were obstinate and the
matter finally reached the Court of Ap-
peals. In the Justices court counsel for
the plaintiff informed the "dignihed'
counselor that he intended Ito give him
a run for his money"
The Unbending of the Judge.
w men Inc case IGdCHSu the COUIl VI
Appeals counsel for the defendant in
formed the court that opposing counsel
at the trial notified him taht he intended
Ito give him a run for his money"
and Here the attorney was inter
rupted by a member of the appeals bench
who said: well, l think he is making
good his threat, don't your" The attor-
ney reluctantly admitted the truth OF the
conclusion arrived at by the court. Il
members of the Court of Appeals con-
descend to indulge in levity.
On another occasion in the upper court
when the question OF the tenantabIeness
Of certain house was the point at issue
the attorney for the defendant persist
emily insisted that the house was ''un-
tenable." He was informed by one IF
the justices that the only thing "unten-
able" about the case was the position
he occupied
When the court reporter is doing
Micawber turn In the Office of the clerk
of the Supreme Court of the District be
often finds something to amuse or in
terest. Most frequently 1t develops at
the desk where licenses to marry are
issued.
Forgetful SWANS.
Often a young man-from the coun-
try. evidently - has approached the
clerk and asked for license, and 1t has
developed that he really did not know
the Christian name Of the young woman
he was about to make his wife. This
would be shown when he was asked to
give her name IN full. 1t is no uncom-
mon thing for persons asking for a
marriage license not to know the age of
the person whom they intend to marry.
The worst case OF ignorance or for
getfulness which occurred lately in con-
nection with the issuance of a marriage
license was when a negro applied for a
license and forgot to have his own
name inserted in the certificate. A
similar case was that OF a negro who
asked for license for himself, but was
unable TO remember the name of the
young woman he intended to take for a
partner.
Court life for a newspaper reporter,
IL will be seen. IS not all dullness and
digging into lengthy legal documents or
listening to arguments on points of law
to find a story for early copy" An
incident such as any one of those re-
cited is sufficient to Tighten the burden
OF a days work and make life worth
living IN the> expectancy of other
equally amusing and interesting adven-
lures.