Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1879 — Rebuking a Juryman. [ARTICLE]

Rebuking a Juryman.

I once heard this anecdote about Judge Parsons, said the Rev. James Freeman Clark, the great Massachusetts advocate and lawyer. It is said, that being about ready to try a mercantile case, he ordered a jury to be summoned andamongthenamesthatofMr. Thomas H. Perkins, the leading merchant of Boston, and a personal friend of Judge Parsons. When the officer made his return he laid down a SSO bill before the judge. “What is that for?” said Parsons.

“Mr. Perkins says he is very busy today and prefers to pay his fine.” “Take that back to Mr. Perkins,” said the judge, and tell him to come at once; and if he refuses, bring -him by force.” When Mr. Perkins apj>eared, the judge looked sternly at him, and said: “What do you mean, Sir, by sending money when you are summoned to sit on theiury?” Mr. Perkins replied, “I meant no disrespect to the court; your honor, but was extremely busy fitting out a ship for the East Indies, ana I thought if I paid my fine I might be excused.” “Fitting out a ship for the East Indies, sir?” shouted thejudge: “and how happens it you are able to fit out a ship for the East Indies?”

“Your honor, I do not understand you.” “I repeat, then, my question, how is it that you are able to nt out a ship for the East Indies? If you do not know I will tell you. It is because the laws of your country are properly administered. If they were not you would have no ships. Take your seat, sir, with the Jmy.” Emerson: “Conversation is an art in which a man has all mankind for competitors.”