Washington telegraph., 1853-03-23
from The ". Z. Spirit Of tie Tsn1esl
of q Louisiana Judge.

Old Judge Is, who was for years
the Circuit Judge in that portion Of Louisi-
ana known as Attakapas county. was Justly
celebrated for his legal learning. and WIS
greatly beloved By his neicEbors and friends.
lie was stern, upright and honest-and tie
death Of the good Old man. which occurred
some years ago, was universally regretted
throughout the State.
But with ali his book lore and legal at.
tainmeuts, lie was perhaps the greenest man
at cards in bis circuit II has been said that
he did not know the Jack of Trumps'
from diamond. In the village Of Opclou.
sas, three individuals were sitting round
table. in one Of those doggeries. with
billiard table attached" which are SO com.
mon in the Creole parishes, playing a small
game Of three handed poker, when a quar-
rel cnsued, which resulted in an aggravated
case Of assault and battery This did not
end the affair, for ut the next term Of the
Circuit Court, at the head Of the docket
stood The State Of Louisiana vs. John Al
len .or an assault and battery with intent to
kill, on the body Of Enos Grigg.''
The trial came on and the only witness
was Captain Johnson. who was third
hand in the game. Johnson was the skip
pcr Of one of those crafts which transport
sugar from that section Of the country to
New Orleans, and was a self-confdent, TO
ahead fellow, and was as undauntcd before
the Judge and Jury as he would have been
before the crew Of biz own little craft Al
ter being sworn, he was directed 10 tell the
court and jury everything Ia knew about
the affair. After clearing his throat he
commenced stating that him and Griggs
and John Allen were over at Boullets gro-
Gerry the second day Of the election. when
Allen proposed that they should have
small game of poker; all agreed to Il, and
went up stairs and sat down to the game:
did not know there was any hash feelings
between Griggs and Allen or | wouldn't
played, but heard afterwards
Here the witness was interrupted bv the
Court, who directed him ID keep all hear.
says to himself and confne himself strictly
to the facts Of the case.
The witness continucd-"Wel, We sat
down to the table-Griegs sot there. John
Alien there, and | there (maEinc diagram
of the clerks table in order to clusidate
the position Of the parties. John Allen
dealt the cards, ! went blind. Grigcs went
blind. and John Allen wouldn't zee him"
The Judge, who was little deaf was in
the habit Of making an ear trumpet Of his
hand for the purpose of sharpening hi hear.
ing-and throwing his head little forward
and sideways, interrupted the witness by
asking hin, What vas the reason that
John Allen didn't see Grinr.?''
The witness replied, II don't know, but
he wouldn't look at him.
Proceed, said the Judge.
well, saw him and lie saw. aud JUS. at
that minnie"
Stop sir, '" said the Judge, throwing him
self into q hearing attitude, did | under
stand you to say that You went Jlinl?"
Yes sir. | went blind, and Griggs be
was Jlind. and Allen wouldn't see, but |
Sa3c Griggs, and then he saw
Witness, " exclaimed the Judge, striking
the bench with bis clenchcd fist, .'do | hear
you alright, sir? DO you say that you went
blind; and then YOU saw
"les, SIR" replied the witness, Il saw
GriEgs. and Griggs saw, and Just a. that -"
stop, sir, F" said the Judge Mr.. Clerk.
fine the witness City dollars for contempt Of
Court, and direct the sheriff to take him to
Jail, and there to keep him until he receives
further orders from the Court Gall up the
next case, Mr. Clerk"
Captain johnson was dumfounded, and
did hot awake to the reality Of Biz condition.
until the Sheriff laid hands On him-when
hc exclaimed, God mighty, NJ. Judge,
what have | done, that must 90 to jail?'
Tie Judge, who war purple with rage.
did not deign to reply to poor johnson, but
reiterated the order with increased vehe-
mence, and the junior members 1t the bar,
who had been anticipating the Gr that the
Capt. would eventually be placed in, were
with laughter, which increased the
rage Of the Cd Judge 70 the highest pitch.
The prosecuting attorney endeavored to en-
tighten the Judge, and eventually succeed
ca, but not until he had produced pack of
cards, and after dealing cut three hands.
made the GkiH2 a. clear u day to the Judge
The fine and imprisonment were remit
ted. order was restored in the Court, and
Capt johnson was allowed 10 proceed with
his testimony.
CoNsuMPTIoN.-Two or three years ago,
~