Evening star., 1906-09-08

the peace in one of the rural districts Of the
old dominion to sit associate in the
trial of rniSdemeanor case, notwithStand-
ing the fact that no warrant for the action
existed beyond the colonePs title, his digni-
fled bearing and his literary attainments.
A drunken row had occurred among several
young men of the village. resulting in an
arrest When the matter was brought be-
fore the squire 1t was sufficiently late in The
day for him to be feeling the effects of his
regular morning, noon and afternoon In
dugences. Therefore he realized the need
of sound. reliable advice.
When the request was made of the col
onel 1t was in vain that he protested that
he had no authority under the law to sit
refusal and the colonel. observing the far
cical character of the proceedings finally
consented. The case being called and many
witnesses sworn. the colonel noticed that
the squire was conducting the hearing with
the code of Virginia upside down. and
opened at the section detailing the fence
law The associate justice proposed that
an amicable settlement be suggested to the
complainant and the defendant. This struck
the squire brilliant idea, for he was Ia
boring heavily with the intricacies Of the
fence law and the misdemeanor proposition.
Excellent suggestion. sir; excellent sug-
gestion.' he announced in ponderous tones.
Then turning to the parties of the proceed
ing and the witnesses, he said: Il shall fol-
low the course proposed by my distin-
guished colleague, and offer to this de-
hand of the law. This case shall be dis
missed If the person accused of this misde-
meanor will agree to treat the crowd to
good LIQUOR. and plenty of 1t. What do you
say. sir?''
Scarcely had the squire finished before de-
fendant, complainant and all the witnesses
joined In great shout of glee. They lost
no time in accepting the offer, and didn't t
stand on the order Of their adjournment to
the village tavern.
X X X
Were villains, you know" announced
one of a pair Of youngsters who were de-
tanned at police headquarters the other day
on suspicion Of larceny. They were ar
rested while trying to dispose of a watch
at a secondhand store on D street north
west by Detective Muller. and were being
held until their story as to how they came
into possession Of the watch could be in
vestigated. .s.ss-,
When the detective walked into police
headquarters with the boys a smile passed
around. The detective is one Of the largest
men on the force-nearly six and half
feet tall-and hanging on to each hand,
trying to walk as fast as the big detective,
were the two youngsters. neither Of them
over three feet tall and both very slight
of build. .'-'I7.''
THAT man down at the store said he
was going to get his father" explained
one of the boys in telling of his experience
of the morning: but when this man the
detective) walked in I knew it wasn't his
father. You can't fool me. And when he
started for here I knew what he was.
Were villains. you know" continued the
boy. I'VE were goody- y-goody boys all last
week and we got tire Of it,
Have you ever been villains beforeT'
was asked.
We've played 1t before. but we have
never actually been 1t before" was the
reply.
One Of the youngsters stated that he was
going to get a horse and go horseback
riding with the money he received from
the sale of the watch, and the other was
going to take a buggy ride.
When asked at first where they got the
watch one of the boys said that his sister
gave 1t to him, and he gave the police an
address. No such number was found, how
ever, and then the lads declared they found
the watch on the street. The case is still
under Investigation. w..
THE only thing I'm scared of Is what
will get when 1 go home," said one OF the
boys
Slipper or switch?" asked the questioner
It's a rawhide. with two parts,'' replied
the boy. land 1 had a taste Of it twice
before"