476
THE GREEN BAG
expected that the young barrister fell back "I follow you," said Brown laying his five-dollar bill on a shingle. The judge a step in amazement. "You don't know nuthin'," the judge looked at the bill for a moment, chewing said. He waved his arm and every eye was contemplatively . on him. "This young feller's tryin' to "Bribery and Corruption," he murmured. teach me the Constitution of Florida! What "There ain't nuthin' in it for you or for me. does the Constitution say on this p'int?" He ain't got no friends. In fact, he ain't His whole attitude demanded of his listeners nuthin'." that they must follow the argument closely. "All right. I'll give you an opportunity "It says this, gentlemen. It says every to blow off on the Constitution of Florida citizen has the right to Life, Liberty, and before Judge Early of the Circuit Court." The Pursuit of Happiness! And further — "What's the row, young feller? Course No cruel or unusual punishments shall be you can have your witnesses if you want 'em. allowed and," full arm gesture, slight pause I'm just tryin' to save the state expense. Lamb ain't got no show. You ain't heard — "and no excessive bail required." A low murmur greeted the end of the the story rightly. Whose gun did Lamb period. Brown's jaw dropped and he looked use! Tother feller's! Now Lamb had been from the speaker to the listeners in utter threatenin' to kill him for some time. bewilderment. He reflected afterward that There's witnesses to that. Do you think if he had immediately plunged into "Arma 'tother feller'd leave a loaded gun about? virumque cano" or even ' ' 'Twas Brillig and No.suh! He hid the shells and when Lamb the Slithy Toaves" he might even then picked up the gun 'tother feller knew it have snatched the victory, but instead he wasn't loaded. But he knew wrong. Lamb let the moment pass in a futile endeavor to had found the shells since 'tother feller had put meaning into the justice's Sphynx-like looked at the gun in the morning and he had set the gun where he could get it handy. utterance. The orator made a slight inclination and He'd fixed to kill 'tother feller. See? This retired into the ' shade of his store where court ain't open to Bribery and Corruption. none presumed to follow him. A boy If 'twas a case of finin' him, five dollars brought him his dinner and he proceeded might go toward it, but — I'll tell you what, to carve a chicken on a shingle. it might save you a lot a trouble if we was Mr. Brown popped his law-book into his to proceed regular-like. I keep this five buggy. If he was no match for this learned dollars for expenses of process. Your man in dialectics, he had a strong confidence witnesses are summonsed regular." in his ability to beat him to death. He had Brown had been communing with him been spread-eagled before the settlement self for some moments. He awoke and and he was ferociously angry. He cast acquiesced. The judge tucked the money aside Law and Statutes. in his overalls and called "Sam." Some "If you don't summons my witnesses," loungers stirred on the store-porch across he said, "I'll make it warm for you." the way and one went inside. Presently The judge was masticating a large mouth "Sam" approached. The citizens flowed ful of bread and chicken. into the half-circle and gaped open-mouthed. "The Constitution of Florida," he began "Sam," said the judge assuming his with difficulty. official manner. "You must summons this "Come, come," interruped Brown. "I'm gentleman's witnesses. Looks like you don't no 'cracker'." know your business." "He ain't got no money," said the judge "All his folks are down at Simeon's," with a suspicion of openness in his manner. Sam answered. "They could a-come if
