Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-04

During the trial of a case in the Police
Court one day this week a small colored girl
was placed upon the stand as Il witness for
the District. Objection was made to the
taking of her testimony unless she could
show her competency by responding to At
torney Nauck $ questions.
Ella" he said to the child, how old are
you?"
'Tn be twelve years old my next birth
day?"
DO you know what an oath is?'
The childs hesitation convinced him that
she did not and he then inquired If she at
tended Sunday school.
''Of course | does" she responded, with
slight show of INDICATION.
What is the name of the SCHOOL, she
was asked
Deed | don't know, was her response
Ella was then questioned concerning what
she knew about telling stories and the re-
suit She had no hesitation in saying She
knew the telling of a story would mean
that she would get locked up and sent 10
the reform school.
And what else VIII happen TO you! the
child was questioned.
"Aint that enough?" was her quick re-
sponse.
Policeman Flynn. the portly guardian OF
the Police Court portals. never tires of tell
court building some time ago. A young col
pred woman was fitting in and out the
court house eagerly peering into the faces
Of the other colored women about the place.
who are you looking for?" asked Flynn
Use lookin fer Mandy Green, 1 is, re-
piled the woman.
Cant you find her."
NO, sab"
Maybe she has gone home" said the
policeman. Where does she liye?
who? Maudy?"
Yes Mandy as you call her.
why, Mandy Ibis next do to me-
Well where the dickens do you liver
Who? Me?'
Yes, me" exclaimed Flynn. growing red
why. mister l Ibis next do to Mandy.
= y Y =
Mount Pelee is still boiling and bubbling
and smoking or at least it was when L
passed it," said American Consul Ayme,
who has just come to the United States on
leave of absence from his post at Para
Brazil MIR. Ayme was the sole represen-
tatve of the State Department on the Is
land of Martinique after the frightful erup-
ton a few years ago, and consequently was
prepared to note any change in the appear
ance OF the evil peak.
The Island of Martinique has prospered
marvelously a result of the great erup-
ton," said the consul. and them in answer
to a look of surprise on the face of his
auditor, he explained: Yes, | know 1t is
remarkable, but true, and resulted from this
fact. At the time of the eruption st. Pierre
was the metropolis OF the island, and ey
erything substantial-all of the wealth in
concrete form-was centered there Wen.
along came this eruption and wiped the
town off the face of the EARTH almost, but
moi flo Z vii a.
per and admission OF Indebtedness, mort
cages, notes, 1. .. Us and the Ike so that
there was no means for any creditor to
collect a debt. All the debtors on the is
land and that meant most of the people
outside of St Pierre, were more or less in
debt at the time and they suddenly found
themselves free. But what the eruption
did not destroy was the large store of
specie and metallic wealth in the bank and
in the houses of the wealthy at st. Pierre,
and all this came into the possession of the
surviving inhabitants of the island, so that
they were really much better off than be-
fore the eruption"
* X 4
Grim halls of justice. with dignifed judges
presiding over the deliberations of the
courts, are often the scenes of amusing in
cidents. The United States court house
popularity called the city hall-in this Dis
trict is no exception to the rule
on hearing a few days ago was civil
cause that attracted considerable attention.
and those who followed the testimony
closely were struck by the fact that the
plaintiff bore the surname Rich, while the
defendant answered TO the humble cogno-
men Poore. The jury logically rendered
verdict in favor OF the plaintiff.
In another court, about the same time,
suit based on a household misunderstand-
ing was up for settlement A woman
named Cooke was the complainant against
a man named Butler. Equally logical was
ne verdict, which v as in favor of the wo-
man.
An eight-day calendar clock has occu-
led a position on the marble mantei in the
Office of the clerk of the Supreme Court of
the District of Columbia. it is believed.
since the day, in the early sixties, the court
was organized. 1t has been the self-im-
posed duty of Mr.. Return Jonathan Meigs
Of the clerks office to wind the clock every
Saturday afternoon and TO see that IT is
properly regulated. Mr.. Meigs takes great
pride in the fact that the clock is an ex-
ceptionally accurate timekeeper. Some
thing went wrong last week, however and
II was necessary to send the clock to a
jewelers establishment to be repaired The
morning following it's removal promi-
nent member of the bar entered the clerks
office. and observed, with a tinge of sadness
in his voice:
Tn very sorry that you had to reduce
the force here"
What do you mean?" Mr.. Meigs in
quired.
Why" the lawyer explained, pointing to
the place where the clock had stood for
more than forty years. Il notice that you
have dispensed with a couple of hands "
In the local temple of justice is located
the office of the recorder of deeds. Apropos
of the recent agitation having in view the
curt"illnS of the Incorporating privilege
and the increasing of the fees for recording
certificates of Incorporation. it is pointed
out that several months ago a company
was Incorporated here the capital stock OF
which was stated to be $4,000. 900 The
company occupied office room in This