At this Horton said: "De gentleman wants to see your license. Go and get it, sir."
While he was absent in quest of the paper Valliant read the law to the court, showing his honor that the license must be granted by the Circuit Court.
When the license was handed to Valliant he read it to the court, and, it being one granted by the Chancellor, was of no authority. At this information Horton rose from his seat, and in a loud voice said: "Sir, you will stand aside. You have imposed on dis court, and am no more a lawyer in any case in court here."
When this incident was over, and the indignant court had composed itself, Valliant tried again to satisfy the judge that there was no case before the court; but he insisted that I had composed a felony, and that his court was bound to "'vestigate what am a crime in de eye of de law." Under the argument and showing of my attorney, however, the judge began to weaken, especially when told that he would be held responsible for this unwarrantable arrest.
Valliant now whispered to me: "We will have to buy out of this."
"All right," was the reply.
Then my attorney went to the table, and quietly whispered to Horton: "Will ten dollars settle expenses?"
A ten-dollar bill was handed the judge, and that sum composed the felony, the feelings of the court, and the offended majesty of the State.
Valliant was the wit of the Greenville bar, and a true friend. Some years ago he was called from his field of usefulness and sorrowing friends to
Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking.