Lancaster High School - Mirage Yearbook (Lancaster, OH)

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They finally reached the cross road where the auto was, only to find that the Game Warden had gone round by the road to await their coming. Also they were surprised to find two cars instead of one, the other belonging to the Game Warden. “Well, I have you now. I arrest you on three charges. First, hunting snipe out of season on posted land; second, attempted bribery of an officer of the law; third, resisting arrest. Now, just get in that car and drive in front of me to the jail.” Jack Lee, one of the fellows and a lawyer, tried to get the boys out. Nothing would do but they should go to the lock-up. After much discussion they were let out on bail, but were to appear next day at eleven o’clock for trial. The next day the trial took place in the courtroom. Jack Lee, being a lawyer, got the use of it. A fun-loving citizen of middle age, stout and dignified, acting as judge, called the court to order. lie then swore in twelve jurymen, all men unknown to Potter. Some of them had hard work to keep from laughing. The witness- es were next sworn in. “The court will now proceed,” or- dered the judge. “I charge Mr. George Potter and these other gentlemen as accomplices with these offenses; first, hunting snipe out of season on posted land; second, attempting bribery of an officer; third, resisting arrest,” read the clerk of the court clearly. The attorneys for the defense then began the ex- amination of the witnesses. The first witness was Leonard Blum. “Mr. Blum, will you tell the judge and gentlemen of this jury where you are from, your business, how long you have been in our town and how long you expect to remain?” Leonard started manfully to answer all these questions but broke out laughing when a side remark from Lewis was heard. “Don’t ask him how long he is going to stay, ask Mrs. Fay.” It must be said that Mrs. Fay was a re- markable clairvoyant then doing wonderful things in mind reading in our town. A chuckle from all greeted this re- mark. The judge rapped loudly for order. “Mr. Blum, tell the court where you were the night of December 20th at eight-thirty o’clock,” continued the lawyer. Your Honor, at eight-thirty exactly, I, with a party of gentlemen was starting on a snipe hunt with Mr. Potter.” After asking Leonard a few more questions he allowed him to retire. The second witness, Mr. .Jack Lewis, was called. “Mr. Lewis, tell this court where you were the night of December 20th at eight-thirty o’clock.” “Your Honor, at eight-thirty exactly I was procuring orange peel and a white meal sack for Mr. Potter to hunt snipe with.” Other witnesses were called and all testified to having been with Potter the night of the 20th to hunt snipe. The Game Warden was the first witness for the state. “Which of these gentlemen was it you arrested with the bag and orange peel,” asked the attorney for the state. “Your Honor, I think it was that one,” pointing to Pot- ter. “Mr. Game Warden, we don’t want to know what you think is right, but what you know is right,” thundered the judge. “Well, I think—yes, I know he was the one,” replied the Game Warden. “Can you produce the evidence of orange peel?” asked the attorney. “Yes, your Honor,” pulling out from his pocket a dried

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a mile from town. The crowd went out in an automobile. Lewis, being master of ceremonies, placed the hunter (George) and gave him all necessary implements, consist- ing of a white meal sack, candle and a handful of orange peel. “George, just straddle that ditch. That’s it, hold your sack lower, don’t mind bending over. Scatter your orange peel in front of you and hold your light and one piece of peel in front of your bag.” “What do I do now?” asked ignorant Potter. “Just, you stand still, don’t make any noise and your bag will be full in no time. Snipe run right up dry ditches when chased and if they smell orange peel they come right to it. The light sort of blinds ’em and they run right into it. That’s why you hold the light in front of the sack. The fellows are going to scatter and run ’em up for you. “Don’t get scared when you hear a swishing noise in the ditch. That’s them.” With these last instructions, Lewis walked off, leaving the unsuspecting Potter bending over the ditch, candle, peel, and bag in hand. As I have said, it was in late December, the trees were all bare and dead leaves and twigs dried with cold were everywhere. The ditch across which Potter stood was full of dead leaves and sticks. The whole place was cold and bleak. The boys who were to do the running-up, never ran. About the time that Potter’s candle was almost burned up and he was stiff with bending over and the cold, the fel- lows commenced to shout and fire pistols. At that time Bill, the Game Warden, appeared. “I arrest you in the name of the law.” The hunt came 14 to an abrupt stop. Bill had borrowed from someone a badge which was now pinned on the breast of his coat. “Mr. Game Warden, why are we arrested?” spoke up James Lewis. “For hunting snipe. Don’t tell me you weren’t, I saw your orange peel.” “Well, but we weren’t harming any of the present season birds.” “No matter, you fellows come along with me. This thing has to be stopped. You are the third crowd of hunt- ers this week. The others got away but I have you all.” “But we weren’t the other crowd. On the side, how much money will it take for you not to see us?” “I am an officer of the law and am not to be bribed. You come along, all of you.” Lucian called George to the edge of the crowd and told him they would have to beat it when Lewis gave the sign. “You run straight in front of here until you come to tin- railroad, turn to the left and keep on till you get to the crossing where we left the car,” he whispered. After some more talk in which Lewis tried hard to get release from the Game Warden, and without success, he gave the sign. The fellows ran in every direction. The poor Game Warden yelled “Halt! Stop!” accom- panied by pistol shots in the air, but the boys never halted. Over fallen trees, ditches and bushes they ran. As they came to the railroad, George stumbled over a stump, fall- ing flat. “Hurt, George?” “Nope but didn’t he shoot good? Those Indicts just miss- ed my head,” he said as they ran along. The fellows say he didn’t take time to get up from his fall but got up running.

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piece of orange peel, “I took this from Mr. Potter’s hand out at the woods.” The accused Potter was then put on the stand. “Mr. Potter, where are you from?” “New York, your Honor,” with a great rolling of r’s. “Is this your first offense at hunting snipe?” Now, it must be confessed. Potter had tried once before to catch snipe and not being successful, was ashamed to own it. “Your Honor, I have never caught a snipe.” “Did you not know snipe were out of season?” Before Potter could answer, Lewis jumped up. “Beg pardon, your Honor, but only red and brown snipe are out of season; we were hunting black snipe, weren’t we, Potter?” “Silence,” commanded the judge, laughing so he could scarcely contain himself. Everyone was smiling. “Mr. Potter, answer my question.” “Your Honor, we were after black snipe.” At this part of the proceedings, a man walked into the back of the room. Lucian in a loud whisper said, “It’s all up, Potter. There’s the reporter for The Item. It will all be out in the evening paper.” “Mr. Potter, did you you use orange peel or lemon?” “Orange, your Honor.” “Orange peel is the bait for red and brown snipe,” re- marked the Game Warden. 1 Much more evidence was heard, all of which pointed to Potter having been caught with the orange peel and bag. The jury pronounced him guilty. The lawyer told him to plead guilty for the other two offenses, which he did. The judge pronounced his sentence, saying, “Mr. Pot- ter, since you are a stranger in our midst and unaccus- tomed to our laws, I will make your fine light. I fine you twenty-five dollars and all the rest of the party five dollars each. Court is adjourned.” To the amusement of all, Potter went over and thanked the judge for his kindness in making his fine so light. In the afternoon Lewis met Potter on the street and said, “Say, George, come over to the club tonight, the fel- lows are having a sort of celebration dinner.” “Sure, I’ll come.” That night at dinner they were having a fine time and drinks were just being served when Leonard laughingly proposed a toast. Here's to the hunter, Here's to the fine, Here's to his money On which zee now dine. Poor George at last caught on to the joke when the fel- lows gave him the laugh.