The Woodville Republican, and Wilkinson advertiser. (Woodville, Miss.) 1853-18??, 1853-04-05
Anecdote of a Louisiana Judge.


Old Judge L------s, who was for wears the
Circuit Judge in that portion Of Louisiana
known as Attakapas parish, was justly cele-
brated for his legal learning and was greatly
beloved by his neighbos and friends. He was
stern, upright and honest--and the death Of
the good old man, which occurred some years
ago, was universally regretted throughout the
State.
But with all his book lore and legal attain.
ments, he was perhaps the grcenest man at
cards in his circuit 1t has been said that he
did not know the "Jack Of Trumps" from
diamond. In the village of Opelousas, as
three individuals were sitting round table,
in one of those doggeries, with billiard
table attached" which are so common in the
Creole parishes, playing a small game Of three
handed poker, when quarrel ensued, which
resulted in an aggravated case of assault and
battery. This did not end the affair for at the
next term of the Court, at the head Of the
docket stood "The State of Louisiana u.s. John
Allen, for an assault and battery with intent
to kill, on the body of Enos Grigg."
The trial came on and the only witness was
a Captain johnson, was a third hand in the
game. Johnson was the skipper of one Of
those crafts which transports sugar from that
section of the country to New Orleans, and
was a selfconfident go-ahead fellow, and was
as undaunted before the Judge and Jury as
be would have been before the crew of his own
little craft. After being sworn, he was direct
cd to tell the court and jury everything he
knew about the affair After clearing bis
throat he commenced stating q that him and
Griggs and John Allen were over at Boullets
grocery the second day Of the election, when
Allen proposed that they should have a small
game of poker; all agreed to it and he 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 by the
Court, who directed him to keep all hearsays
to himself and confne himself strictly to the
facts of the case.
The witness Well, we sat down
to the tabIe---Griggs sat there, and there
(making diagram of the clerks table in or
der to elucidate the position Of the parties
John Allen dealt the cards, | went blind,
Griees went blind and John Allen wouldn't
see him."
The Judge who was little deaf, was in the
habit Of making an ear trumpet Of his hand
for the purpose Of sharpening his hearing-and
throwing his head little forward and side
ways, interrupted the witness by asking him,
What was the reason that John Allen did mt
see GnggsT
The witness replied, II don't know, but be
wouldn't look at him.
Proceed" said the Judge
"Well, saw him and he saw, and just at
that minute"
"Stop, sir" the Judge throwing himself in
to hearing attitude, 4did | understand you
to say that you went blind p
"Yes sirl | weGt blind, and Griggs he was
blind, and Allen wouldn't see, but | s0~
Griggs, and then he saw"
Witness" exclaimed the Judge, striking
the bench with his clenchcd fist, -do hear
you Alright, sirl Do you say that you went
blind and then you sd@P
ayes, sir" replied the witness, j saw
Grices and Griggs saw, and Just as that -"
@stop, SIR" said the Judge. @Mr. Clerk,
fine the witness fifty dollars for contempt Of
| Court, and direct the sheriff TO take him to
iaiI, and there to keep him until he receives
further orders from the Court. Call up the
next case, Mr.. Clerk"
Captain johnson was dumfounded, and did
not awake to the reality Of his condition, un-
til the Sheriff laid his hands on him--when
he exclaimed, "God mighty, Mr. Judge,
waat have done, that must 90 to jail r
The Judge who was purple with rage did
not deign to reply to poor Johnson, but reit-
eratel the order with increased vehemenee,