Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-26
CHAPTER iii
Peggy Turns Laipyer
TUDGE OWL frowned darkly upon

- the prisoners.
"You Jays are rascals," he hooted
You have been called into this hon
orable court to answer to the charge
of stealing Miss Purple Swallow on
| the eve of her wedding to General
Swallow, and confining her against
| her will in a dark tree dungeon,
where but for her timely discovery by
Princess Peggy she would have per
ished. What do you answer to this
charge--guilty or not guilty."
Guilty" promptly answered Blue
Jay. 1--WE did it,"
"Of course you did we all know
that" tartly responded Judge Owl.
But you've got to plead not guilty sc
we can have this trial"
Hi vi, well fool you on that"
screamed Blue Jay You can't try us
we're guilty; so go ahead and SEN
tence u.s."
"ITl do nothing of the sort" hooted
the Judge. You're pleading guilty
just to be mean. But I'm not going to
get cheated out of the fun of this trial
Wen try you just to see how guilty
| you are"
"I never heard of such a thing
said Peggy. whose father was a law
YER in courts where my daddy
works It always ends the case when
prisoner pleads guilty and they let
him off with lighter fine because he
saves the taxpayers the cost of a
trial"
There, now; you ought to give me
something for pleading guilty
screamed Blue Jay lat Judge Owl.
The judge pondered this matter a
moment. then he answered:
This trial isn't costing us any
thing. The Birds have plenty of time
they've finished their days work and
have earned their amusement. We
will proceed with the case"
"Ill not be tried" screamed Blue
Jay. You'll not make a fool out of
me-"
NO. we're little late for that,
chuckled Judge Owl. you've done II
yourself. We're just going to show
what a complete job you've made of
! it."
| The Birds twittered with glee over
this and Blue Jay looked very uncom
! Portable.
"I'll scream so you can't hear the
witnesses" he threatened like a
naughty child.
"Bailif, do your duty" ordered
Judge Owl. Blue Heron stalked ovei
to Blue Jay, took hold of him with his
| beak, threw him over knee and pro-
ceeded to give him a sound spank
ing. Blue Jay yelled and struggled
but this did him no good, simply;
serving to make the Birds giggle the
/. louder at his discontinue. The spank
ing took little of the conceit out Of
him and he quieted down enough tc
let the trial go on.
"Who is your lawyer" Judge Ow
asked of Blue Jay.
Princess Peggy" spoke up the pris
oner promptly.
"why. that's story" replied Peg
gy, Indignantly. I'm not a lawyer"
isn't your father lawyer" asked
Judge Owl.
"Yes, he is the best lawyer ir
town." declared Peggy.
Then you are a lawyer" answered
Judge Owl.
but my father being lawyer
doesn't make me a lawyer" protested
Peggy.
"Why doesn't it?" persisted Judg.
Own. 'Kingfisher's father was fish
erman and he is a fisherman. Gen
eral Swallows father was a pest de
stroyer and he is a pest destroyer
Blue jays father was a knave and h,
is a knave. Your father is a lawyer
ana therefore you are lawyer, NJ
concluded triumphantly.
But | don't know a thing abou
law" declared Peggy. all mixed up b,
this line of reasoning.
Neither do any of u.s." replie'
Judge Owl.
II don't see why Blue Jay ha
picked me out. ] know he is guilt.
and deserves to be punished"
But you are smart-smarter tina,
any of these Birds" argued Blue Jay
I'D rather have smart lawyer VIII
knows that I am guilty than a learne
lawyer who thinks ] am not. 'caus
the smart lawyer can use tricks to ge
me free. while the learned one de
pends upon justice"
'I'll use no tricks to get you free.
Peggy protested Indignantly.
But you don't want to see us Jay
killed. do you?" argued Blue Jay.
"N-no, / don't want to see anybod
killed" admitted Peggy.
Then you'll have to be our lawye
and use tricks, for these Birds will fiji
ish us in hurry If they follow tn
law of Birdland."
Peggy pondered this. She felt tina
what Blue Jay said was true. He an
. would teach them to be better in tn
future and that would warn other
: from doing as they had done. Bu
. the Birds in carrying out their law {
! self-preservation might go too ia
J They were so indignant over tn
: brutal treatment of General Swallow
, innocent bride that their main ide
was revenge, not to reform the Jay
! Perhaps it was her duty to protet
them against too severe treatment.
'I'll defend you" she said. "but it