The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-07-27

have limited that self-interest OF rear
ever warped his judgment. and. on the
whole. the duties between man and
man were an ably upheld la the Ninety
seventh militia district OF saunders
county an I'm any like neighborhood OF
the state. Surely u was an amiable
fault. at most. that he entertained a
reverence for the masters whom he was
content TO venerate from afar.
The truth OF the matter was that his
private Affairs were too burdensone for
him TO cultivate a close acquaintance
with the fathers OF Jurisprudence. but
their names were as familiar To him as
those OF the troopers on his four-horse
farm or the loungers around his supply
store. When he alluded TO Sir William.
Sir Edward or Sir Matthew he took u
for granted that no man would fall To
understand that he referred tn Black
stone, Coke and Hale. while the care
less tone OF his voice expressed the
hope OF his honest heart that you would
accept them as the intimates or his
leisure hours.
The Georgia code was. OF course. the
most conspicuous ornament In his Office.
but Il was characteristic OF his cast
OF mind that an odd volume OF Wal
lace's Reports and tiine-statned copy
OF Wharton on "Conveyancing were
disposed about his desk In such man
ner that they stood something more
than an even chance OF being observed.
IL was n raw. foggy morning. and the
big bowled pipe from which the justice
blew intermittent whiffs OF incense,
seemed 10 dissipate the dampness at
the same time that IL brought out the
reflective expression OF his countenance.
When Squire Lemuel Shaw shuffied
I'm and took his seat by the stove there
was n touch OF surly restraint In his
greeting which said as plainly rs words
could speak that he intended To have
the full measure OF justice. at any cost.
and he didn't care who knew II: but
there was a world OF geniality Ia the
simple terms MS the justice replied with
a." Morning TO you. Lem-which in-
ierrupted only for moment the as
cending sacrifice.
A moment later there was a sound OF
wheels at the door and Mr.. Martindale
walked In. The rising young attorney
OF Riddlevilie betrayed but little or the
anxiety he felt I'm his heart as he sa-
Iuted the justice and extended his hand
90 the squire In testimony that his
present antagonism was strictly imper-
sonai and professional.
Anybody who knew Mrs. Tabitha
Peabody could have understood the
.repidation an attorney. old or young,
would feel In representing her before
n court OF law. IL was profession
toward which she was none too friend
~, at best. and I'm the event That the
scales turned against her she made IL
a matter OF principle TO get the full
value OF her retainer by abusing her
unlucky counsel In that respect she
seldom left anything due. unless the
attorney took TO his legs very early IN
the engagement.
All OF which detracted not one whit
from the charm OF the pink-cheeked
Dorothy, who. called that lady mother.
At once healthy and wholesome, she
was good to look upon. while the vigor
OF her mind and the gentleness OF her
manners. not 20 mention her housewife
ly excellences made her companion
devoutly TO be wooed by prudent aud
discriminating youth such rs Martin
dale. For some time he had cast his
eyes I'm that direction, which the vigil
lance OF Mrs. Tabitha had not failed
to observe. The ambitious advocate
had no misgivings as to the daughter :
sentiments, but as TO her kinswoman IN
the first degree-that was n different
matter. He knew that his profession
itself was "A handicap In that good
iadys eyes. His only hope OF conciliat-
ing her lay In the successful issue OF
the present litigation. Certainly III he
failed he must 40 down with all his
imperfections on his head.
II was, therefore. with good reason
that he greeted the Squire with n
jnuntiness he was far from feeling.
The plaintiff In the impending case OF
Shaw Va. Peabody felt that n term OF
service on the bench--he had been the
predecessor OF Justice Greenfennei-had
qualified him 10 conduct his own case.
He entertained no doubt. moreover.
that he was thrice armed In that he
had his quarrel just.
When Il became noised abroad that
esquire Shaw's action for damages
against old lady Peabody was coming
up I'm court" the whole neighborhood
turned out TO witness the contest. Per-
haps there was a lurking hope that the
defendant would appear In court In per-
son. but I'm this they were disappointed.
The crowd. ut any rate, was 80 large
that the Justices little Office was far
too small TO hold them, and nothing
could have been further from his inten-
ton than 20 deny to the people OF
Georgia full liberty and opportunity to
witness the administration of justice.
The sitting was. therefore. adjourned
to the school house. hundred yards
down the road the day being Saturday.
Justice Greenfennel settled himself In
the teachers chair OF the rostrum, the
crowd disposed themselves on the deal
benches and against the walls and the
trial began.
When the audience had become quiet.
the squire cleared his throat very de-
liberately and opening his case. This.
he said. was n suit for damages. sound
ing In tort. lie alleged that he was the
owner OF n fancy breed OF Guinea hens.
"a very fancy breed. your honor. In
fact, they were imported by my grand
father. Ebenezer Shaw. direct from
Guinea"
Justice Grecnfennei seemed duly Inn
pressed.
The plaintiff alleged that the Widow
Peabody had wIllfully and mallciously
set her dog on them while they were
feeding In n field adjoining her lands
and that the said dog. owned by the
said Widow Peabody, had caught and
killed
''who ever saw n dog that could
catch Guinea" came from the rear OF
the house In a soto voice which was not
as subdued as n might have been. and
there was a soft ripple OF laughter.
order In court" Numbered the Jus
tice. go on. Squire Shaw"
Caught and killed one OF said
Guinea hens. whereby your petitioner
was endamaged In the sum OF ten dol
lars"
Martindaie maintained IN behalf OF
the defendant that no tort had been
committed. IN that the fowl was tres
passing upon the property OF the de-
PENDANT
we expect TO show. your honor. that
this guinea hen was found damage
feasaut. sir, and was killed 10 protect