The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-19

"l know very well, Polly--I was very drunk when came home, wasn't Ii''
 "Why Judge, you know your old habit when you get among those lawyers" "But was very drunk3'
 "Yes you was"
 "Wss ] remarkably drunk, when got home, Mrs. Brown ?''
 ''Yes, Judge, drunk as fool, and forty times as stupidn
 >''l thought so,'' said the Judge, dropping into chair in extreme despoudeney, ''l knew it would come to that at last l have always thought that something bad would happen to me--that l should do something very wrong--kill somebody in moment of passion, perhaps-bui never imagined that l could be mean enough to be guilty of de- liberate larceny.n
 "But, there may be some mistake, Judge"
 "No mistake, Polly. ] know very we'll how it all came about. That fellow, Ster- rist, keeps the meanest sort~ Of liquor and al- ways did-liquor mean enough to make a man do any sort of mean thing. ] have always said il was mean enough to make a man steal, and now have practical illus sration of the fact,"-and the poor old man burst into tears.
 "Don', be child," said his wife, wiping away the tears, ''Go like man over to Ster- ri.t, tell him it was little bit of frolc-- pass it of as joke-go and open court, and nobody will ever think of it again."
 A little of the soothing system operated fha Iulw Ir His extreme modification was finally sub- dued, and over 10 Sterritt's he went, with a tolerable face. Of course, he had but little difficult in settling with him--for aside from the fact that the Judge's integrity was un- questionable, he had an inkling of the joke that had been played. The Judge took his seat in court. but it was observed that he was sad and melancholy, and that his mind fre- quently wandered from the business before him. There was lack of the sense and intelligence that usually characterised his proceedings.
 Several days passed away, and the busi- ness of the court was drawing towards a close when one morning rough looking sort of customer was arraigned ona charge of stealing. After the clerk had read the indictment to him, he put the usual ques- tion:'
 "Guilty or not guilty :"
 "Gulty-but drunk" answered the prls- oner.
 "What's that plea;n exclaimed the Judge who was half dozing on the bench.
 "Eie pleads guilty, but says he was drunk, " replied the clerk
 "Whal's the charge against the man'"
 ''Eie is indicted for grand larceny"
 sIWhai's the case; ;n
 May i, please your honor," said the prosecuting attorney, ''the man IS regularly indicted for stealing large sum from the Columbus Hotel"
 "He IS hay' and he pleads"-
 "Hc pleads guilty. but drunk"
 The Judge was now fully aroused
 .'Guiltv, but drunk That is most extra. ordinary plea. Young man, you are certain you were drunk"
 s'Yes sir"
 "Where did you get your liquor;''
 s'At Sterrilt's."
 "D'ye get none any where elsei"
 Mot drop sir"
 "You got drunk on his liquor, and after wards stole his money ;''
 "Yes. sir"
 ''Mr. Prosecutor" said the Judge, ''do me the favor to enter nolle prosequi in tha mans case. The lqnor of Sterritt is mean enough to make man do any thing dirty got drunk on it the other day myself, ant stole all Sterriu's spoons--release the pris. oner, Nil. Sheriff adjourn the court" From the New Fork Spirit of the T,mss ,