The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1858-02-11
4niscellaueons,
One of the Judges.

Old Judge -, who was for years
the circuit Judge of that portion of Penn
sylvania known as 3erks county, was just,
y celebrated for his legal learning, and
was greatly beloved by his neighbors and
friends.
But with all his book lore and legal at
tainments, he was perhaps, the greenest
man at cards in his entire circuit. 1t has
been said that he did not know the Jack
of Trumps' from diamond. In the vii
lage of Opelousas, as three individuals
we're sitting around table, in one o
those doggeries with a billiard table at
tached,' which are so common in the ere.
ole parishes, playing small game ot
three handed poker, quarrel ensued,
which resulted in an aggravated case Of
assault and battery.
The trial came on, and the only witnes:
to the atfray was a Captain Johnson, who
was the third hand in the game. John
son was the skipper ofon Of those crafts
which transport sugar from hat section
Of the country to New Orleans, and was
a sef.confdent. go-ahead fellow, and was
as undaunted before Judge and Jury as
he would have been before the crew OF
his own little craft. After being sworn,
he was directed TO tell the court and jury
everything he knew about the affair. AT
ter clearing his throat. he commenced by
stating that him and Griggs and John
Allen were over at Boulet's grocery, the
second day of the election, when Allen
proposed that they should have small
game of poker; all agreed to it, and we
went up stairs and sat down to the game
-Griggs sot there, John Allen here, and
| there making a diagram on the clerk S
table in order to eluGidate the position of
the parties John Allen dealt the cards,
| went blind, Griggs he 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 lit.
tie forward and sideways, interrupted the
witness by asking him why John Allen
didn't see Griggs?'
The witness replied, 'he wouldn't look
at him..
Proceed says the Judge.
well, saw him and he saw, and Just
at that minute
Stop. SIR said the Judge, throwing
himself into a hearing attitude, did un-
derstand you to say that you went blind?'
Yes, sir! l went blind, and Griggs, he
was blind, and Allen wouldn't see, but
saw Griggs, and then he saw
Witness exclaimed the Judge, strik,
ing the bench with his clenched fist, do
| hear you Alright, sir? Do you say that
you went blind, and then saw?'
Yes, SIR replied the witness, L saw
Griggs, 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 orders from the court
Call up the next case, Mr. Clerk.
Capt. johnson was dumb founded, and
did not wake to the reality of his condi-
ton until the sheriff laid his hands on him,
when he exclaimed
God almighty, Mr.. Judge. what have
| done. that l must 60 to jail?'
The judge, who was purple with rage,
did not Geign to reply to poor johnson.
but reiterated the order with increased
vehemence, and the junior members at
the bar who had been anticipating the fix
that the captain would eventually be
placed in, were convulsed with laughter,
which increased the rage of the old Judge
to the highest pitch. The prosecuting
attorney endeavored to enlighten the
Judge, and eventually succeeded, but did
not until he had produced pack of cards,
and after dealing out three hands, made
the blind as clear as day to the judge.
The fine and imprisonment were remit
ted, order was resumed in the court, and
Captain johnson was allowed to proceed
with bis testimony.