140. At the hearing of an action the Plaintiff shall in general begin; but if the burden of proof lies on the Defendant, the Court or Judge may direct the Defendant to begin.
141. If there are several Plaintiffs or several Defendants, the Court or Judge may direct which Plaintiff or which Defendant shall begin.
142. The party beginning shall first address the Court, and then produce his witnesses, if any. The other party shall then address the Court, and produce his witnesses, if any, in such order as the Court or Judge may direct, and shall have a right to sum up the evidence. In all cases the party beginning shall have the right to reply, but not to produce further evidence, except by permission of the Court or Judge.
143. If at the time fixed for the hearing of the action, the Defendant shall not appear, the Court or Judge may give judgment on the evidence adduced by the Plaintiff.
144. If at the time fixed for the hearing of the action, the Plaintiff shall not appear, the Court or Judge may give judgment dismissing the Plaintiff’s claim.