From the Richmond Examiner, 7/18/1864, p. 3, c. 2

John J. Lindsay, a respectable looking man, was charged with obtaining twelve hundred dollars from Messrs. Deane & Brown, commission merchants, Cary street, under false pretences.

It was charged that Lindsay bought of the firm, as the agent of the Chimborazo hospital, a quantity of potatoes, butter, &c., to the amount of twelve hundred dollars, with an understanding that the bill was to be sent to the Chimborazo hospital for collection. The bill was sent and its payment refused upon the ground that Lindsay was not the agent of the hospital, and had no authority to buy and contract for the hospital.

When the old Pub. Func. had heard the testimony he turned to the law, (Mayo’s Guide,) which is as the law of the Medes and Persians, and changeth not as its author does every year, producing revised editions of himself, every one fuller of blemishes and blunders than its predecessors.

Old Pub. Func. – I’ll continue this case, sir, till Monday next; and in the meantime the law (Mayo’s Guide) expressly says bail shall not be taken in a case where a felony is charged.

Mr. Lindsay desired to be bailed; could give any amount that might be required.

“Pub. Func.” – (cocking and snapping an eye and throwing out the index finger at Lindsay) – Haven’t I just told you that I have no authority to bail you; what does the law (Mayo’s Guide) say? I shall positively not take bail.

Petitioner was the more persistent, and exhibited some documents and vouchers that seemed to have the same effect of “Old Joe” that a glass of “old Hanger” would have had. His rubicund face relaxed and a smile fell on it like a streak of sunshine in a barrel of rotten pippins.

Old Pub. Func. – “I’ll bail you, sir.” And the decision was in direct conflict to the doctrine of the “Guide,” which proved a false guide to a pur-blind judge.

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