The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-02-20

horror almost indescrba bable, he exciaimed-
"My God Polly"
"What on earth's the matter, Judge 2"
just look at these spoons !"
Dear me, where'd you get them ?"
"Get theml Don't you see the initials on
them R"-extending them towards her"
stole them !"
"Stole them, JudgeP i.
Yes, stole them p ..... ....
"My dear husband, it can't be possible
from whomp
"From Sterritt, over there-his name is
on them"
Good Heaven how did it happen p
i know very well, Polly--I was very
drunk when came home, wasn't 2"
j" Why, Judge, you know your old habit
when you get among those lawyers"
" But l was very drunk"
Yes, you was"
" Was remarkably SO when got home,
Mrs. Brown"
Yes, Judge, drunk as a fool, and forty
times as stupid"
81 thought So" said the Judge, dropping
into chair in extreme despondency---"
knew it would come to that at last. / have
always thought something would happen to
me-that would do something very wrong
kill somebody in a moment of passion,
perhaps-but never imagined that / should
be mean enough to be guilty of deliberate
larceny"
But there may be some mistake, Judge. "
"No mistake, Polly. l know very well
how it came about That fellow, Sterritt,
keeps the meanest sort of liquor, and always
has--liquor mean enough to make a man
steal, and now | have practical illustra-
tions of the fact" And the old man burst
into tears. ...
"Dont be child" said his wife, wiping
away the tears, ego like man, over to
Sterritt, tell him it was little bit of a
frolic--pass it off as joke-go and open
court, and nobody will ever think of il
again.
A little of the soothing system operated
upon the Judge. as such things usually do
his extreme modification was finally sub.
dued, and over to Sterritt's he went, with a
tolerable face. Of course, he had but little
difficulty in settling with him for, aside
from the fact that the Judges integrity was
unquestionable, he had an inkling Of the
joke that had been played.
Judge Brown proceeded to court, and
took his seat but spoons and bad liquor
bad liquor and spoons-liquor, spoons,
drunk, larceny and Judge Brown, was so
mixed up in his worship's" bewildered
head, that he felt awful pale, if he did not
look so. In fact, the Judge felt cut down,
and his usual elf-possessed manner of bust
ness, his dictiOn and decisions were not
what Judge B, had been noted for.
Several days had passed away, and the
business of the court was drawing towards
close, when one morning, a rough looking
sort of a customer was arraigned on a charge
of stealing. After the clerk had read the
indictment to him, he put the usual ques-
ton
Guilty or rot guilty?"
Guilty, but drunk" answered the pri-
soner.
whats that plea" exclaimed the Judge,
who was half doing upon the bench.
He pleads guilty, but says he was
drunk, replied the clerk"
He is indicted for grand larceny"
whats the case"
May it please your honor" said the
prosecuting attorney, " the man is regularly
indicted for stealing large sum of money
from the Columbus Hotel"
He is, eh : and he Pleads
He pleads guilty, but drunk.
The Judge was now fully aroused.
"Guilty, but drunk This is a most ex-
traordinary plea. Young man, you are
certain you were drunk 2"
" Yes, sir"
Where did you get your liquor 2"
cat Sterritt's."
"Did you get none anywhere else ?"
"Not drop, sill"
"You got drunk on his liquor, and after
wards stole his money q
"Yes, sir"
Mr., Prosecutor, said the Judge, " do me
the favor to enter nolle proseque in that
mans case. Theliquor Of Sterritt's is mean
enough to make man do any thing dirty.
got drunk on it the other day myself, and
stole all Sterritt's spoons-release the pri-
soner, Mr Sheriff. l adjourn the court p