-19-. Company, without a fair trial, A classrocHtt was chosen and arranged as the Court, The Judge was to sit at the master's deak (all hoped that no master would appear during the proceedings) and the other men of office were to be at a bench on his right. The only suitable article for a dock was the blackboard which.had to be supported by the accused while he stood between it and the wall. The onlookers sat in the desks at the back of the form. TNhen all was ready His Worship the Judge entered weariiig his overcoat;a red handkerchief adorned his neck and a piece of sack ing was on his head to represent his wig. The court rose very reluctantly,as it had been a hard task to select the Judg^, since the position was very much coveted by all. The first it^ was the reading of the accusation by Thomas Cooper,a redhaired little boy with a very squeaky voice. It ran thus, **Ebenesor Mack is accused of the unforgivable crime of doingtoo many haae lessons"! The crowd cheered Thomas Cooper's words while pale faced Mack be came paler still. The Judge,taking advantage of his position, and never having had any authority over his form mates before, stamped on the floor and called for order in the Court. He told the assembly that no word vms to be uttered without his permission and informed Mack that if he shed onetear, he would have his punishment doubled I Ignoring the lawyers,.the Judgetook the case into hisown hands. Witnesses against the accused were called up in turn and question ed. They had little to say apart from the fact that they all thought Mack ought to be punished. The Judge was not impartial by any means, for it was he who brought out the strongest piece of evidence against the accused - his homework book I Once more the crowd cheered, and this time pale faced Ebenesor Mack dropped the board he had been supporting and began to weep with his head buried in his arms. Bie Judge called for order and after a few minutes silence, he rose to deliver the sentence. His mouth and the door opened simultaneously. Nothing came out of his mouth, but the Headmaster came in through the door. After investigations the Headmaster took the seat at the desk and, like a severe Judge, delivered a very severe sentence. "All boys who have partaken in this trial will do double homework for the rest of the term. Ebenesor Mack need do none J " J• Ii, B•
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