IN THE FAR WEST.

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 22, 8 January 1907, Page 2

IN THE FAR WEST.

Suit, in a Far West court, to recover certain moneys, of which it was alleged that the plaintiff had been defrauded by thimble-rigging. Counsel for plaintiff undertakes to enlighten the Court as to the modus operand!. He takes three cups. •“Then, may it please the Court, the defendant, placing the cups on bis knees, thus began shifting them so, offering to bet my client couldn't tell under which cup was the ‘little joker’ (meaning thereby, may it please the Court, this ball), with the intention of defrauding my client of the sum thus wagered. For instance when I raise the cup so, your honour supposes that you see the ball." "Suppose I see !" interrupted the judge, who had closely watched the performance, and was sure that he had detected the ball as one of the cups was accidentally, raised. “Why, any fool can see where it is, and bet on it, and be sure to win; there ain’t no defrauding there."

“Perhaps your honour would like to go a dollar on it ?" insinuated the counsel. ‘‘Go a dollar? Yes, and double it too, and here's the rhino ; it’s under the middle cup." "Til go a dollar on that," said the forman of the jury. “And I—and I," joined in the jurors, one after the other, until each one had invested his pile. “Up," said his honour. “Up,” it was; but the “little Joker” had entirely disappeared ! Judge and jury were enlightened and found no difficulty in bringing in a verdict in favour of the plaintiff, on the ground that it was the “wqrst P9fpsble kind of defr*uding,”