Democratic banner., 1847-05-10
PRACTICAL Jokes and bad Liquor.
sY THE ex-FRENcH EDITOR.

nave Dcen ViOuuCIHe vi eACeeulHSiS eNll
consequences; but whether the liquor or
the joke has done the most mischief, we are
not called upon just now to determine. We
propose to make mention of an affair where
bad liquors ;anda practical joke were pre-
ductive of the very best consequences i'm,
aginable.
Many years ago, while the State Of Geor-
gia was yet in its infancy, an eccentric crca-
ture named Brown, was one of its Circuit
Judges. He was a man of considerable a
bility, of infexible integrity, and much be-
loved and respected by all the legal profess
sion, but he had one common fault. His
social qualities would lead him, despite his
Judgment, into frequent excuses. In trav-
cling the Circuit, it was his almost i~nvaria-
BILE habit, the night before opening the
Court, to get "comfJrtably corned," by
means of appliances common upon such &C.
c~asions. If he couldn't succeed, while opc-
rating upon his W hook, the members of
the bar would generally turn and help him.
1t was in the spring of the year; taking
his wrfe-a model of a woman in her way.
-inthe old fashioned but strong "cary-all,".
that he journcyed 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 rela-
ton of his better half" by whom the pre-
sance of the official dignitary was consid-
cred singular honor. After supper, Judge
Brown strollcd over to the only tavern in
the town, where he found many old friends,
called to the place, like himself, on impor-
tant professional business, and who were
properly glad to see him.
"Gentlemen," said the Judge, s'ifs quite
a long time since We have enjoyed a glass
together, let us take a drink all around
Of course, Sterritt, addressing the land
lord, You have better liquor than you had
tile last time we were here-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 they went to work. Iii unnecessary to
enlarge upon drinking about a country tav-
crn-it will answer our purpose to state
that somewhere in the region Of midnight
the Judge wendell his very devious way to-
wards his temporary home. About the
time he was leaving, however, some young
err barr;ster, fond of a "practical jokc,"I
and not much afraid Of the bench, trans
ferred all the silver spoons Of Sterritt to the
Judges coat pocket.
1t was eight o'clock on Monday morning
that tn. Judge rose. Having indulged in
the process Of ablution and abstersion, and
partaken Of a cheerful & refreshing breask-
fast, he went to his room to prepare himself
for the duties of the day.
"Well, Polly" said he to his wife, 81
feel much better than | expected to feel af-
ter that frolic of last night"
"Ah, Judge" said she respectfully, "you|
are getting too old-you ought to leave off
that business"
sAh, Polly-what's the use of talking?'
1t was at this precise instant Of time, that
the Judge, having put on his overcoat, was
proceeding, according to his usual custom,
to give his wife a parting kiss, that he hap
pened, in thrusting his hands into his pock-
ct, to lay hold of Sterritt's spoons. He
Il
jeskcd them out. With an expression of
horror almost indescribable he exclaimed:
MY God! Polly!!"
what on earth's the matter, Judge9
Pust look at these spoons.'
fDear ME, where'd we get them!P'
tGet them! DON'T you see the initials on
them?' extending them towards her-sII
stole them"
HStole them, Judge?'
yes, stole Them
-sMy dear husband, it can't be possible,
from whom?'
From Sterritt, over there-his name is
on Them