Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-04-27
A GEORGIA JUDGES DECISION;
Or, Getting ssTight,, on Bad Liquor.


Georgia was yet in its infancy, an eccen-
trio creature named Young. was one of
its Circuit Judges. He was n man OF
considerable ability, of inhexible integ
,rity. and much beloved and respected by
ali the legal profession, but he had one
common fault His social qualities would
lead him despite his judgment, into fre-
uuent excesses. In travelling the circuit,
it was his almost invariable habit, the
night before opening the court, to get
{" comfortably corned." by means of ap-
plances common upon such OCCASIONS
If he couldn't succeed while operating
upon his own hook, the members OF the
bar would generally turn in and help
Kim.
It was in the spring of the year. Ia
king his wife-a model of II woman in
her way--in the old fashioned but strong
carrvall. ne juurueyed some forty miles,
and reached village where court was to
be opened the next day. 1t was long in
the evening of Sunday that he arrived at
the place. and took up quarters with a
relation Of his better halt by whom the
presence of the official dignitary was con-
<idered singular honor. After supper
Judge Young stroIIeI over to the only tai
rcrn in the town, where he found many
friends called to the place like himself,
ON important professional business. and
who were properly glad to meet him.
9 Gentlemen" said the Judge, g It's
quite IL long time since we have enjoyed
glass together. let us take Il drink all
rounI OF course, Sterritt, (addressing
the landlord, you have better liquor
than YOU had the last time we were here?
rlt. .,,H J. D., u ttnp D,.t fiji t1
y dog"
SterriLt who had chdfge OF the house,
pretended that everything was right, so
they went to work. 1t is unnecessary to
enlarge upon drinking bout in Il country
tavern-it will quite answer our purpose
to state that some where in the region of
midnight, the Judge wended his very du-
6ious way to his temporary abode. About
the time he was leaving, however. some
young barristers fond of Il practical and
not much afraid of the bench, transferred
all the silver spoons of Sterritt to the
Judges coat pocket.
Il was eight o'clock on Monday NOR
nlng that the Judge rose. Having in
dulged in the process OF ablutlon and alb
stersision, and partaken of a cheerful and
refreshing breakfast, he went to his rooms
to prepare himself for the business of the
day.
well Polly" said he to his wife, &c l
feel much better than l expected TO feel
after that frolic Of last night"
q Ah, Judge, said she reproachfully,
''you are getting too old. you ought to
leave oil that business.
" Ah, PolIy-what is the use of talk
ing 90
/: was at this precise instant of time.
that the Judge, having put on his over
coat, was proceeding according to his usu-
aIcustom, to give his wife parting kiss,
that he happened, in thrustinS his hand
into his pocket. to lay hold of Sterritt's
spoons. He jerked them out, and with
an expression of horror almost .indescri-
BILE, he exclaimed
My God Polly y
''What on earth's the matter. Judge?"
"Just look at these spoons"
"Dear me, where dye get them ~
''Get them? Don't you see the initials
on misunderstanding them towards her
-"I stole them" r. .... 81
g Stole them, Judge p
Yes, stole them -..
MY dear husband, it can't be possible!
From whom?''
"From Sterritt, over there-his names
on them
:" Good heavens how could it possibly
happen?'' N
a. know very well, Polly. was very
drunk when l came home. wasn't %
Why, Judge, you know your old
habit when you get among those law
yers."
Z" But was 1 very drunk %
{" Yes. yOw aVas."
a"Was l remarkably drunk when 1
got home. Mrs. Ioung?''
Yes. Judge. drunk as fool, and for
ty times as stupid
latt / thought so." said the Judge. drop
ping into q chair in extreme desponden-
cy, IL knew it would come to that at
last. 1 have always thought that so,ce-
thing bad would happen to me-that |
should do something very wrong-klp
somebody in moment ofpassion perhaps;
but never imagined that could be
mean enoughto be guilty of deliberate
larceny" .r- .....-.r .--....
Judge ?''r. ...'--~',~--'
-s't No mistake. Polly. I know very
well how it all came about That fellow.
Sterritt keeps the meanest sort of liquor,
and always did-hquor mean enough to
make man do anything mean. 1 have
ALWAYS said 1t was mean enough to make