(1)

(_Munsey's Magazine_)

OUR HIGHEST COURT

BY HORACE TOWNER


"The Honorable the Supreme Court of the United States!"

Nearly every week-day during the winter months, exactly at noon,
these warning words, intoned in a resonant and solemn voice, may be
heard by the visitor who chances to pass the doors of the Supreme
Court Chamber in the Capitol of the United States. The visitor sees
that others are entering those august portals, and so he, too, makes
bold to step softly inside.

If he has not waited too long, he finds himself within the chamber
in time to see nine justices of our highest court, clad in long,
black robes, file slowly into the room from an antechamber at the
left.

Every one within the room has arisen, and all stand respectfully at
attention while the justices take their places. Then the voice of
the court crier is heard again:

"_Oyez, oyez, oyez_! All persons having business with the Supreme
Court of the United States are admonished to draw near and give