The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-06
JUDGE FEAGIN GETS STRANGE FREE RIDE. Negro Insists on Driving Him
 Down Town SIDEWALKS WERE WET
The Judge Was Deeply Touched All the Way to the City Hall-Inter- estlng Case of Moses Welch
 and Fannie Burns.

JudBe tedBn put dslue OtolHe A Sentimental Journey" got into his over coat and walked out the front door of his home.
 Monday was always busy day at the police court, remembered the judge. The docket was sure to be heavy
 It was raining hard when the judge got to the sidewalk.
 "They order these things differently in Washington" muttered the judge. re- calling the opening sentence of Sterne's beautiful story. There the justices of the supreme court may be driven to and from the court room in carriages and Uncle Sam pays the bill. Here in Birmingham judges have to walk main tain a private conveyance. or ride in street car. There's none to pay for the carriage hire but tho judge himself, and police court justices in Birmingham aren't in the millionaire class"
 Meditating thus, Judge Feagln made his way along the slippery pavement to- ward the corner.
 As he turned the angle, an apparition, heaven-sent 1t seemed met his sight. Be- fore him, at the curb, was a handsome cab drawn by beautiful bay horse.
 One of Gods children cut in ebony sat upon the box.
 Good mornin,' jedge," said the black Jehu
 Good morning. Nose" said the judge What are you doing up this way this time of day. Mose7"
 Well, jedge, I'll jist tell you" said Nose. "I was down town while ago and I hearn some gentlemen talkin bout the bad weather, and one un 'em saved he didn't like to think of you comin down town day like this. He saved jedge. you might get hurt walkin' on these here slippery sidewalks. En' so jedge," Nose went on when them white gentlemen goes away I jumps upon che box and thinks to myself, I'll drive up and get the jedge and fetch him down to the city hall "
 Nose paused a moment, took off his hat, wrung the rain from 1t and looked steadily at the pavement.
 A surprised-an almost startled expres- sion came over Judge Feagins eoun- tenance Twas only for a moment. how ever
 When, at length, the judge spoke, Nose beheld benignity in the old mans mien.
 This Is kind of you, Nose" said the judge, "very kind of you, Nose. l thank you; but I can't afford to hire cab to ride to court in"
 Nose said not a word in reply.
 Slipping back to his cab the black faced negro pulled back the door and held it open.
 If you'll jes' git in. jedge, I'll drive yer down to the city hall and wont charge you nuthin jedge'
 Judge FeagIn looked at Nose search ingly and reflected a moment
 Thank you Nose" said the judge, as he stepped Into the cab.
 A moment later brand new cab drawn by a beautiful horse, was wheeling the distinguished gentleman who presides over Birminghams police court to the city hall.
 On the box sat a black faced negro with hat drawn well down over his eyes.
 If anyone had looked critically into that Jehus countenance he might have dis cerned mirrored there a peculiar sense or satisfaction not untouched by a more peculiar sense of anxiety.
 When the cab drew up at the city hall the black driver got off the box, opened the door of the cab handed the judge out and helped him Into the hall
 Thank you Nose, said the judge. You're a good man, Nose. God bless you, my good frlend,' and the judge shook the black mans hand warmly.
 A few moments after the judge had entered the city hall. negro man wear ing a ralncoat slipped Into the alley, tip- toed up the side entrance, climbed the stairway and noslessly entered the court room
 Pretty stiff docket this morning, judge" said Mac" the clerk, as Judge Feagin entered his private chambers.
 Anything special?' asked the judge.
 "No,. nothing particular Nigger rows mostly. Drunks. vagrancies, dsorderlies and larcenies."
 Case after case came and went. with five, ten or twenty dollar fines for each. As the noon hour drew near Judge Fea-
 
 Number twentytseven hundred and fifty-three." said the judge. Call that case and let's clear the docket
 Fannie Burhs-larceny," said Mac.
 Come out here Fannie" said the judge
 The officer who made the arrest told his story. negro man named Welch chars- ed a negro woman with whom he had been living with stealing all the furniture in his house.
 Then Fanny told her story.
 "Anv other witnesses against this wo- man?e asked the judge.
 The officer pointed at black faced negro, wearing a raincoat and sitting on one of the back benches.
 Come out here and take the stand" said the judge. beckoning to the negro.
 As the man in the raincoat came into the light his face showed plainly a timidity that was mistaken by many for embarrassment.
 He stepped up and took the stand.
 whats your name?" asked the judge, reading the notes on the ledger.
 Moses weich." said the witness. in a half whisper.
 "Moses what?" asked the judge. his eyes still on the big book before him.
 Moses weich-W-e-l-c-h." said the wit ness.
 The judge looked up suddenly. The the floor and rolled away under a chair. ho 4..1e utr ofe<l1t a4 ha1 1aQr