The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-07-29
INTO ARMS OF LAW
Bv ], A. TlFrAN''

l had Deel engage" ,oro
# law for a period longer than . w. w.
to state before l made as MUCH az
policeman earns. .,,,..
put now. I had been fortunate
enough to secure the appointment -
municipal court judge. moo
This had been my first day OF once,
.nd there had not been single case
for trial. 1t looked as if my expeIs
ence as private practitioner was s,. ~
sa'T reneated in my ofIlial capacity.
EVEN the law.breakers and lltigan's
Stunned me. ,.o.,ons
by the sound of footsteps. eo
In a few moments a mans hsure
anneared in the open doorway. he was
Enthusiastically from the country.
A clumsy, ungainly man, apparent.
" about forty.five years Oh ase' 40
| advanced toward my desk WIN
stealthy, nervous step. Inc iei'o"
had hunted look. -.
Say, mister" he said, IN a WINS,
per, what will you charge TO get INC
off,"
"Off what?" asked. I,
"Well. l don't want to tell, but !
suppose | shall have to; it's all over
town. Please don't let them take me
whats the trouble? What have
YOU done?" / asked the fellow. But
| / may as we'll warn you. before you
70 any further" added. remembering
my new appointment, that am .
Judge, as we'll as lawyer"
"You a judge" the yokel exclaimed
in a 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.
III you are in need Of professional
advice, l think YOU had better 60 to
another law office, and not tell me
anything about your troubles" | said
II 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 a,
all, Judge. I didn't think they Woulc
hold it against me all these years.
haven't been in the city in thirty
years, and if you'll only let me &
this time, I'll promise never to come
here again."
"Now, see here, my man." I salt
8 sharply. for the fellow was becoming
J. tedious, III you have anything to ga,
D to me, I will listen to 1t, and trea
g 1t confdentially, SO far as ! can. Eithe
tell me your troubles, or 60 and tel
y them to some other lawyer"
l. NO." said the man, desperately
I'LL make clean breast Of it to 20,
e Judge. You see, mister. when was
9 boy-thirty years ago-I came to tn
9 city one day, in my fathers sleigh
E and while the old man was aroun
Q town doing his business, l playe
about the stable where he put up hi
r horse. There was lot of snow O
d the ground, and some Of the city boy
Q began calling me hayseed, and pei
ing me with snowballs. I didn't lik
}" it-not SO much the snowballing 8
their calling me hayseed. So
made some snowballs myself an
SHE'D back at them. Well, Just as
was throwing a good hard ball at or
OF the boys. a policeman came rour
the corner, and it knocked off his ha
le started and ran as hard as coul
|g ! never stopped till l got to my fat
u er's farm away out in the countr
lp ten miles from here. I laid awake g
that night, expecting that they won
be coming for me; and I've been e
st pecting them ever since. But. as
N had not heard of it in all these yea,
lg l plucked up courage and came
I'd today, thinking it had all blown owe
I'd But see that l was mistaken. They
after me-"
What makes you think they a
after your" asked the fellow.
:. There's notices all over the cit,
:. the man whined.
~ What kind Of notices." I aske
~ i haven't seen anything Of them"
~ why. one says, Bill posters
., ware. and another. Bill posters W
81. ~ be prosecuted!
" Whats your manner" I asked as
=. light seemed to break in on me in
NJ NJ this nonsensical tragedy.
10 Posters" the man replied. "V
.t liam Posters. But they generally c
~ me Bill-Bill Posters"
~ "Ah, see," said, with sigh
"a relief. "And you want to settle II
NO Quietly-without any exposure?"
well. this is a case, l am afra
- that can't be settled with a fine"
-, said, rising and confronting the
.o lain, who shrank from me, and &C
~ cred near the door.
,re You won't send me to Jail, Judge
'ie he pleaded.
mo, we'll settle it without that
~, said. Just turn round"
~. -. AS Mr.. Posters turned his hacr
10 me, gave him a good, hearty H
r M that sent him clear through the do
"a way. ~
,r,, Us that all?" he asked, with a
'rh collie smile.
Yes, that's all-for the nrese,
| replied. "Rnt IL rnn o..