The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1854-02-15
GUILTY, BUT DRUNK.

MARBLES STORY OF THE GEORGIA JUDGE.
Not Of few OF our readers, West and
South, who had the pleasure of an acquaint-
ance with Dan Marble, will recognize the ir-
resistible story he used to "telP' of he sto-
len spoons and the Georgia Judge. Colonel
Bradbury, we believe, once dressed up the
joke and set it agonS, and partially in that
guise we give it place in the annals Of the
comedian.
"ManV years ago, while the State of
Georgia was yet in its infancy, an eccentric
creature, named Brown, was one of the
Circuit Judges. He was man of ability,
ofinAexible integrity and much beloved and
respected by all the legal profession, but he
had one fault. His social qualities would
lead him, despite lis judgment, into ffe
quent excesses. In travelling the Circuit, it
was his almost invariable habit; the night
before opening the Ccufty 10 get "comfolta
bly, corned," by means ofappiications com
mon upon such occasions, If he couldn't
succeed while operating upon his own hook,
The gentlemen of the law would generally
turn in and help him.
''It was in the spring of the year, taking
wife. "a model of woman in her way--in
the old fashioned, but strong, "caryall," he
journcyed some forty miles, and reached the
village where the "court" was to be'opened
next day. 1t was along in the evening Of
Sunday that he arrived at the pace, and
took up his quarters with relation of his
"better half" by whom the presence Of the
official dignity vas considered singular
honor. Aftersupper, Judge Brown stroled
over to the only tavern in the town, where
he found many old friands, called to the
place like himself, on important professional
bushes, and who were proper glad to meet
him..
"Gentlmen," said the Judge. "lis quite
long time since we have enjoyed glass
together-let US take horn all around"
"Of course, Sterritt," addressing the
landlord" you have better liquor than you
had the last time we were here--the stuff
you had then was unfit to give a dog
Sterritt, who had charge of the house.
pretended that every thing was right, and
so they went to work. 1t is unnecessary to
enlarge upon drinking about in country
tavern--it will quite answer our purpose to
state that somewhere in the region of mid
NIGHT. the Judge wended his very devious
way townrd his temporary home. About
the time he was leaving, however, some
young barristers, fond of practical joke,
and not much afraid of the bench, transfer
red all the silver spoons Of Sterritt into the
Judges pockets
1t was eight o'clock on Monday morning
that tlle Judge rose. Having ndulged in
the process of ablutiOn and abstertion, and
partaken of cheerful and refreshing break
fast, he went to bis room to prepare for the
duties of the day.
"Welh Polly" said he to his wife, II
feel much better than | expected to feel af-
ter the frUlic Of last night"
"Ah, Judge" said she, reproachfully,
you are getting too old--you ought to leave
off that business now"
"Ah, Polly, what's the use OF talking?"
Itwas at this precise instant OF time that
the Judge, having puC on his overcoat, was
proceeding, according to his usual custom,
10 give his wife a parting kiss, that he hap
pened TO thrust his hand into hispocket. and
laid hold Of Sterritt's spoons. He pulled
them out. With an expression Of horror al
most indescribable, he exclaimed
''My God! Polly"
"What on earths the matter; Judge?"
''Just look at these spoons!"
Dear me, where'd you get tlem"
"Get theml Don't you see the initials on
Misunderstanding them towards 'her4 II
stole them?"
"Stole them, Judgc?"
Eyes, stole theml"
"My dear husband, it can't be possible;
from whom?"
From Stertitt, over there
"aood Heavens how did 1t thappenT'
IL know VERT wstf hPolly--f was very
drunk when | cane- kome, wasn't T.?
"Why, Judge. YOU know your old habit
when you get among. those lawyers" "A
y "Bat I was very dunk a3A -c
Eyes, you wss," ss'