Year: 1872

again his hand at fishing, he was waited
upon by an officer OF the law, who had
warrant for his arrest. 1t was ex-
planned to him that the gentleman who
owned the pond was crusty sort of a
fellow, that he had obtained the names
Of the party who invaded his premises
and made such an Internal racket with
their guns. and that he had brought a
suit for trespass.


was much cast down at this, but then he
had the sympathy of his friends, as they
also wero under arrest. A consultation
was held, and it was decided to send to
New London for counsel The hearing
was TO take place that evening before
the Justice OF the Peace, a jolly, good
natured man The day was spent in
preparing for the conflict. Both parties
secured legal advice; and each, by a
singular coincidence, employed an at
torney more noted for CAB than anything
else At six o'clock in the evening
both parties to the suit, with their friends,
met at the Squire's. The case was
promptly called. Smith and his friends
had to admit that they had invaded the
premises Of the prosecutor, and that
they had discharged their guns at duck
in his pond but they pleaded that they
were not aware that the grounds were
posted, and that they had no intention
Of committing trespass. This much ad-
mitted, there was little need of further
evidence, and so the case resolved itself
into m 80, oc ,.,ords hat,yaan a.. o~,o,.
ing counsel. For something like four
hours the attorneys badgered each other.
and poured streams of eloquence into
the ears Of the Justice. Finally, they
exhausted themselves, and both sat
down. But before the Squire rendered
bis decision one of the defence arose and
asked the privilege of introducing an
important witness, witness that had
hitherto been overlooked. The Prose-
cutirg Attorney Indignantly protested
against this, but the prosecutor very
generously insisted that the witness
should be heard. One of the gentlemen
then quietly stepped into another room,
and returning with something in his
hand, gravely addressed the Justice
Your Honor, the witness wish to in
troduce, and which all have consented
shall he introduced. is before you. This
is the duck that Mr..


tA SMITH


fred at so often, and which he failed to
kill. And then he thumped heavily
down upon the table a wooden decoy.
Smith grew very red in the face, and all
laughed except himself and the two law
yers who began to see looming up before
them huge practical joke. The decoy
was well peppered with shot, showing
that Smith had not fred as wildly as he
had imagined. When order had been
restored, the Squire decided that the
costs of the suit should be divided; that
the defendants should cook the duck in
dispute, and that they should then invite
the prosecution to dine with them. This
decision was emineptly satisfactory to
all but the attorneys, who swore ronndly
at being so victimized; but as each was
paid the fee agreed upon they were
somewhat Modified. The deception
was then explained to


SMITH.


By means of stake, ring had been
fastened in the center of the pond, under
the water. A cord was attached to the
decoy, and passed through the ring.
The operator was screened by the mill.
Whenever any one would fire, he pulled
the cord, and, as matter of course, the
duck dived. The Squire was into the
secret, and he consented to assist at the
mock trial. The only parties sold were
the lawyers and Smith. The latter has
grown older and wiser since then. He
has cut his wisdom teeth, and now when
out shooting ducks he takes good look
before lifting the gun to his face.