Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-12-08
ONE OF THE JUDGES.

Old Judge Is, who was for years the cir
cult judge OF that portion Of Louisiana known
as Attakapas county, was justly celebrated for
his legal learning, and was greatly beloved by
bis neighbOrs and friends. He was stern, up
right anu 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 greenest man at
cards in his entire circuit It has been said
that he did not know the g Jack Of Trumps''
from diamond. In the village of Opelousas,
as three individuals were sitting round a table
In one Of those dOggeries " with billiard table
attached, which are So common in the creole
parishes, playing n 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 torn
of the circuit court, at the head of the docket
stood - The State OF Louisiana John Allen,
for assault and battery, with intent TO kill, on
the body Of EnOs Griggs'
The trial came on, and the only witness to
the afray was Captain johnson, who was the
third hand in the game. johnson was tho skip
PR Oi one OF those crafts which transport sugar
from that section of the country to New Orleans
and was a self-cOnident go-ahead fellow, and
was n undaunted before the Judge and Jury as
he would have been before the crew of his own
lttlo craft. After being sworn, he was directed
10 tell the court and jury everything he knew
about the affair. After clearing his throat, he
commenced by stating {" that him and Grigys
and John Allen were over at Boullet's grocery
the second day of the election, when Allen pro-
posed that they should have a small game of
poker; all agreed to it, and we went up stairs
and sat down to the game; did not know that
there was any harsh feelings between Griggs
and Allen, or wOuldnta a played, bat heard
afterwards''-
Here the witness was interrupted by the
court, who directed him to keep all hearsays
10 himself and conGne himself strictly to the
facts Of the case
The witness continued-'' Well, we sat down
to the table-Grisgs sot there, John Allen here
and L there (making a diagram on the clerk 8
table in order to elucidate the position Of the
parties9 John Allen dealt the cards, l went
blind, Griggs he went blind and John Allen
wOuldn't see him.
Inc judge, who was little deaf, was in the
habit Of making an eartrumpet of his hand for
the purpose of sharpening his hearing, and
throwing his head Il little forward and side
ways, interrupted the witness by asking him.
" what was the reason that John Allen didn t
see Griggs!'
The witness replied, 81 don't know, but he
wouldn't look at him -
Proceed says the judge.
Well, L saw him and he saw, and just at
that minute
Stop, sir" says the Judge, throwing him
self into hearing attitude, " did L understand
you to say that you went HiRdI"
les, sir ! ] went blind, and Griggs he was
HiHd, and Allen wouldn't see, but l sary
Griygs. and then he saw
Witness exclaimed tho Judge. striking
the bench with bis clenched fist, {" do / hear
you Alright, sir Do You say that you went
blind, and then you saw'"
les, SIR. replied the witness "I saw
Gnggs, and Griggs saw, and just at 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 jail and
there TO keep him until he receives further or
ders from the court Call up the next case,
Mr.. Clerk"
Capt. Johnson was dumbfounded, and did
not awake to the reality Of his condition until
the sheriff laid his hsnls on him, when he ex-
claimed " God Almighty, Mr.. Judge, what
have done, that L must go TO Jail -
The judge who was purple with rage, did not
deIgn To reply 10 poor Johnson, but reiterated
the order with increased vehemence. and the
junior members Al the bar, who had been antici-
Pating the Er that the captain would eventually
be placed in, were convulsed laughter, which
Increased the rage Of the old judge to the high
est pitch The prosecuting attorney endea-
Y0red to enlighten the Judge, and eventually
succeeded, but not until he bad produced a
pack Of cards, and after dealing out three
hands, made the Htad az clear as day To- the
Judge.
The fine and imprisonment were remitted
order was resumed in the court, and Captain
johnson was allowed 10 proceed with bis testi-
mOny.