Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-11-11
HAD HIM ON The HIP
YounE Lawyer Routes His Noisy OPP
ROnent by clever Bit of
Pantomime.

A lawyer was serving the common
wealth OF Ohio and the county of Ninton
in the capacity of prosecuting attorney at
the little town Of Macarthur. He then
bore q rather youthful appearance for a
man holding so responsible a position.
The most conspicuous parsonage known
to the Vlnton bar at that time was a
grave and pompous barrister from n
neiehboring town. man who had reached
the middle age OF life and with it an ex-
tensive practice, profitable alike in fame
and pecuniary gain; man whose elo-
quence bent juries TO his will and whose
logic pinned them fast, whose invective
and pointed sarcasm blsnched the cheek
Of the witness or the prisoner, as might
be necessary to gain the case, ana was
alike dreaded and hated by his fellow
practitioners. ,.4
On this particular day the young prose-
cutor had riot case to try. and to his
CONFORMATION he learned that the elo-
quent gentleman referred to had been re-
tsined by the defense.
He expected to be torn up by his OPP
ponent, but was unprepared for the
simeon that swept through the court
room when the noted counsel got fairly
under way.
Judge; he sawed the air in front of the
jurors; he shook his finger in the face of
the young prosecutor and shivered in inn
aginary horror at the thought of so
youthful a man undertaking to measure
swords with him. The voice was loud
and bitter in its denunciation; the ges-
ticulations were violent and demonsJra-
tive: the manner threatening and awe
inspiring; and with face of scorn he sat
down with folded arms and awaited the
verdict which he did not suppose they
dared to refuse
The young prosecutor was angry. He
felt he would like to thrash the opposing
counsel out of his boots.
He arose to his feet, uncertain for a
moment what 10 do. A happy thought
struck him. and. throwing his head back,
he cast his left arm behind him and
thrust his right hand in the breast Of his
vest, while under overarching eyebrows he
scowled out at the jury.
The jury understood in an instant
so did the Judge, so did the spectators
There was the familiar pose of the OPP
posing counsel, perfect in its imitation.
Then the young prosecutor began, and
without opening his lips, proceeded to
COPY the gesticulations and movements of
the eminent attorney who had preceded
him. He snorted and cavorted and
stamped and rolled his eyes. He STROBE
up and down in front the judge and
jury, following in his sesticulations pre-
eisely those they had just seen.
He shook his finger menacingly under
the nose of the eminent gentleman, and
then, assuming the statesmanlike pose, ne
locked down upon him disdainfully
1t was too much. The eminent attor-
ney appealed TO the court for protection
while the Judge laughed until the tears
rolled down HIS cheeks, and the jury and
spectators ehuckled audibly.
( The Judge replied that the young mar
had done nothing, had said nothing &c
him and he did not feel called upon tc
interfere with the argument.
That settled It. The old lawyer broke
for the door, and the jury, after fifteen
minutes absence, brought in verdict
Of giilty.--Columbu Times.