Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 November 1874 — Mr. King’s Watch. [ARTICLE]

Mr. King’s Watch.

Justice Sherwood, at the Yorkville Police Court, had recently disposed of some twenty cases of vagrancy, drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and assault and battery, and was in hopes that his morning’s work was over; but the good Justice was disappointed. As he was taking a long breath of relief two very gentlemanly-looking strangers were brought before him. “What is the charge against these men?” said His Honor, after having learned that the personages arraigned were William H. Williams and Charles B. King. “ They were arrested by an officer in the park, your Honor, while intoxicated and driving recklessly," replied the officer. “ What have you to say, Mr. Williams?” His Honor asked. “ Nothing, your Honor,” was Mr. Williams’ reply. “You are fined ten dollars, Mr. Williams,” said Justice Sherwood, and the fine was paid. Then turning to Mr. King—“ Have you anything tnaay, sir !” asked the Justice. Mr. King, who had represented himself as a lawyer doing business in Troy, had but little to say. “ Ten dollars,” said His Honor, biting the handle of his pen. “But I havn’t ten dollars with me, your Honor,” said Counselor King. “If you’ll allow me to find Mr. William M. Evarts, or Charles O’Conor, or A. Oakey Hall, or John Grhham, or ” “ Ten dollars, sir,” growled His Honor, “ or I shall commit you.” Mr. King’s countenance assumed an ashen hue. His under lip 'quivered, his teeth chattered, and he was to all appearances a miserable man. ‘ ‘ I haven’t $lO with me, your Honor,” he said, tremblingly, “ but here is my watch, which is worth five times as much. Will you let me leave it with you until I can see one of my brothers in the law and borrow the amount of the fine?” After a short consultation with Mr. Rockwell, Clerk of the Court, the Justice consented to receive the collateral, and Mr. King departed. On Wednesday last, several days after the disappearance of Mr. King and his fellow Jehu, Justice Sherwood was reminded that the watch had not been redeemed by the Trojan limb of the law. “ Never mind, Judge,” said Mr. Rockwell, one of the most accommodating court-clerks in the land, “never mind, let me have the watch and I’ll pay the $10.” * “Wouldn’t it be well,” said Justice Sherwood, .“ to find out what the watch is worth?” So saying, he handed the timepiece to an officer, with directions to nlve its value estimated at the nearest jeweler’s. In a few minutes the officer returned with the watch in his hand, and on his face a smile like a tidal wave. “Well?” said the Justice. “It’s worth about eighty-five cents, your Honor,” said the officer. The court then adjourned.— N. Y. Sun.