The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-05-18
From the Cincinnati News.
Practical Jokes and bad Liquor.

Il Is I well known iact fn3t 0itentlIles
both these Jokes which are called "practi-
CAL and that liquor which is termed
sbad," have been productive Of exceed
iarlY evil consequences: but whether the
liquor or the joke has done the most ms
chief, we are not called upon just now 10
Determine. We proPoze 10 make mention
OF an affair where bad liIaCrs & a pracu-
cal Joke were productive Of the very best
consequences Imaginable.
Many wears ago while the State Of
Georgia was vet IN lis infancy. an eccen-
inc creature named Brown, was one of
lis Circuit Judges. He was q man OF
considerable ability. of infexible integri-
~. and much beloved and respected By
all the legal profession; bu; he had one
common fault His social qualities would
lead him despite his judgment into ire
quent excesses. In travelling the circuit,
Il was his almost invariable habit, the
night before opening the court. to get
~"comiordy coined" BY means Of appIian-
ces common upon such occasions. 1.-The
couldn't succeed while operating upon his
v hook, the members of the bar would
generally tarn in and help him.
Il was in the spring Of the year. Ia
king his wife-a model Of a woman in
her wav-in the old fashioned, but strong
~~carrya1," he ~jOurneyed some forty
miles, and reached a village where court
was to be opened the next day. 1t was
along in the evening of Sunday that he
arrived at the place and took up quarters
with a relation Of his .'5e;ter half,' by
whom the presence Of the official dignita-
n was considered a singular honor. AZ
ter supper, Judge Brown strolled over to
the only tavern in the town, where he
found many friends, called to the plsee,
ike himself, on important professional
business, and who were proper glad to
meet him.
.Gendemen,' said the Judge, lis quite
q long time since we have enjoyed a glass
tareiher-lei Us take a drink al round
or course, Sterritt, addressing the land
lord Won have better liquor Than you had
the last time we were herel the stuff
YOU had then was not fit TO give a dog.
Sterritt. who had charge of the house.
pretended that every thing was right, and
SO the1 e TO work. Ii IS u~nnecessa-
" to enlarge upon a drinking bout n a
country tavern-it viii quite answer our
purpose 10 state. that somewhere IN the
region Of midnight, the Judge wendell
his very DEVIOUS way towards his tempo
rarv home. About the time he was leav-
ing. however, some younger barrisiers
fond Of a"practical,' and vet not much
afraid of the bench. transferred all the sill
yer spoons Of Sierriti to the judges coat
pocket.
Il was eight o'clock on Monday morn
ing when TIE Judge rose. Having indul-
ged in the process Of ablulion and absier-
ton. and partaken OF a cheerful and re-
freshing breakfast, he went to his room to
prepare himself for the duties of the day.
"Well, Polly" said he TO his wife. Il
feel much better than expected 10 feel
after tha; frolic Of last night"
"Ah, Judge" said she, re~proachfuAy,
you are getting 70 Old; you ought to
lc3Te oil That business
"Ah, Polly-whats the use Of talk
ingg'
Il was al his precise instant OF time,
that the Judge. having put on his over
cnat. was proceeding, according 10 his n
sual custom. 70 give his wife a parting
kiss. thai he happened, in ihrus;ing his
hand mo his pocket 10 lay hold o. lister
rir's spoons. He jerkcd them OUT
with an expression Of horror almost IN
describal.le. he exclaimed
"Ny Godi Polly"
'sWhat 90 carth's the matter. Judge!'
just lcok At these spoonsl.'
Dear nc. where dye &c; them!
'Gel them, Don'iyou see the initials
n Fhem.-sxlanling them towards hel
II stole ihcm.