A Solomon come to Judgment.

Otago Witness, Issue 2399, 22 February 1900, Page 67

A Solomon come to Judgment.

Squire Henry Grelle, of Beltzhoover. Pa., does not like lawyers. He believes that they stir up too much trouble by dragging musty old books into his office and insisting that he follows the precedents they dig from. He has the full approval of his constituents. His justice is -the sort that is equitable between man and man, ancl not that misnamed stuff that depends upon the technicalities of law books for a standing. One of Squire Grelle's early cases was ■brought against a friend of his, who wss accused of cruelty to animals. The man had "been bothered by a vicious dog, and he shot at it. The bullet cut a piece off its tail, but did no other harm. The trial attracted a large crowd. There was conflicting evidence as to the dog. Some of the witnesses paid it was a gentle animal, and pthers declared that it ought to be killed. "I will reserf my decision until nekt wesg," eaid the squire after he had heard the testimony. He was not satisfied as to the dog, and while he hacl the case under consideration he made some inquiries in the neighbourhood. He learned that the dog was bad. TBul the maiming of it by depriving it of part of « iN tail was undoubtedly a cruel act. and he did not see how he could get over thai, even to favour his friend. When the diy came for him 'to give his decision, it was evident to the crowd ilia t had gathered in his office that he had made tip his mmd. He called the defendant up. "You admit shooting this dog?" he asked. "Yes, I do. pqubo; but the dog is " "Dot will do. Sid down !" And he called the owner of the dog forward. "Your dog is a bad dog,'" he said to him. "No, lie isn't, squire," paid the man; "he'.s as centle^as " "Dot will do. Sit clown. I h,if my mind made up. I fine the defendant one dollar and gosts for shooting dot dog." There v/as applause from the side of the room on which the friends of the clog weie gathered. "Order ! Order '" commanded the squire. "I haf not finished. I will fine the defendant one dollar and gosts for shooting dot clog, but I v/ill gif him one more shot at the dog."