The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-09-09
INTO ARMS OF LAW
. BY J. A. TIFFANY.

Of law for a period longer than l care
to state before / made as much as a
policeman earns.
But, now, had been fortunate
enough to secure the appointment of
municipal court judge.
This had been my first day of office,
and there had not been a single case
for trial. 1t looked as If my expert
ence as private practitioner was to
be repeated in my ofiial capacity.
Even the law-breakers and litigants
Stunned me.
l was aroused from my meditations
by the sound Of footsteps.
In a few moments a mans figure
appeared in the open doorway. He was
Enthusiastically from the country.
A clumsy. ungainly man, apparent
ly about forty-flve years of age. he
advanced toward my desk with
stealthy. nervous step. The fellow
had hunted look.
Say, mister" he said, in a whis-
per. what will you charge to get me
off?"
"Off what?" l asked.
well, don't want to tell, but
suppose l shall have to; it's all over
town. Please don't let them take me
to jail, mister"
What's the trouble? What have
you done?" l asked the fellow. "But,
I may as well warn you, before you
go any further" / added, remembering
my new appointment, "that / am a
Judge. as well as lawyer"
You judge" the yokel exclaimed
in tone of horror "Oh, gosh I've
run right into the arms Of the law,
when was trying my best to escape.
Please. sir, don't send me to Jail"
the fellow whined.
IF you are in need of professional
advice, l think you had better go to
another law Office, and not tell me
anything about your troubles" said.
Il can't send you to Jail until you are
brought before me in the ordinary
course Of Justice"
but, don't want to go to jail at
all, Judge. / didn't think they would
hold 1t against me all these years.
haven't been in the city in thirty
years. and If you'll only let me go
this time. I'll promise never to come
here again"
Now, see here. my man." / said
sharply, for the fellow was becoming
tedious. "if you have anything to say
to me. will listen to 1t, and treat
1t confdentially. SO far as l can. Either
tell me your troubles. or go and tell
them to some other lawyer"
mo-" said the man, desperately,
I'll make a clean breast of 1t to you,
Judge. You see, mister, when 1 was a
boy-thirty years ago-I came to the
city one day, in my fathers sleigh;
and while the old man was around
town doing his business, l played
about the stable where he put up his
horse. There was lot of snow ON
the ground, and some of the city bows
began calling me hayseed. and pelt-
ing me with snowballs. / didn't like
it-not 30 much the snowballing as
their calling me a hayseed. So l
made some snowballs myself and
SHE'D back at them. Well, Just as I
was throwing good hard ball at one
OF the boys, policeman came round
the corner, and 1t knocked off his hat.
l started and ran as hard as l could.
never stopped till l got to my faith
er's farm away out In the country,
ten miles from here. laid awake all
that night, expecting that they would
be coming for me; and I've been ex-
pecting them ever since. But as l
had not heard of 1t In all these years.
/ plucked up courage and came in
today. thinking it had all blown over.
But I see that was mistaken. They're
after me-"
What makes you think they are
after your" asked the fellow.
There's notices all over the CITY,"
the man whined.
What kind Of notices?" l asked.
Il haven't seen anything of them"
Why. one says, Bill posters be-
ware, and another, Bill posters will
be prosecuted"
What's your manner" l asked. as a
light seemed to break in on me in all
this nonsensical tragedy.
Posters" the man replied. "Wil-
liam Posters. But they generally call
me Bill-Bill Posters"
"Ah, I see." 1 said, with a sigh of
relief. "And you want to settle this
quietly-without any exposure?"
We'll. this is case, l am afraid.
that can't be settled with a ine."
said. rising and confronting the VII
lain. who shrank from me, and cow
cred near the door.
you won't send me to Jail, judge?"
he pleaded.
mo, well settle it without that" /
said. "Just turn round"
AS Mr.. Posters turned his back on
me. l gave him a good. hearty kick.
that sent him clear through the door
way.
'Is that allH" he asked, with a bu-
collie smile.
Yes, that's all-for the present"
l replied. But. if you ever come
near this Office again, I'll give you a
good deal more than that. Now-ske-
daddle, Bill Posters. and get back on
the farm, where you belong"
Copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
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