DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2242, 12 March 1886, Page 2

DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER.

A rural justice of the peace is usually a man of good sense and sound judgment. He may not know much law, but the community trusts him to do substantial justice between man and man, even if he violates lei»jil technicalities. Uncle Johnny Woodman, of Sumner county West Virginia, knew more about farming than ho did about books, but lio was honest and shrewd, and his common sense never failed him. His neighbors elected him justice of_ the peace, and not long after his appoint he gave them an illustration of tne fact that a bad iiamo will make a man suspected when appearances are never so slightly against him. One day a noted "hard case" was brought before Uncle Johnny, charged with stealing a horse. The evidence' against the man was not very strong, and his lawyer, General Bently, insisted that his client should be dismissed, But Uncle Johnny decided to commit him to gaol to await the action of the grand jury, General Bently then moved tho court to release the prisoner on bail, and offered good security for his appearance a( the tipper court, Uijcle Johnny adjusted his spectacles, epamined the "code," and said with great dignity: "The court declines to bail the prisoner." "On what grounds, do you decline I" demanded tho attorney. " Well, General," said Uncle Johnny, ''if you must know, the court is afraid he'll s,teal another horse." '• "ifou hud better be careful," replied the lawyer, "My client will sue you for his character," "You needn't put yourself to the trouble," rejoined the itugufcrafce, with provoking coolness. "Justget two or three disinterested mon to say what his character is worth, and I'll pay for it on the spot,"— Ofininal law Maijumic.