The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-03-19
ONE OF rHe JUG rs.

| Old Jadge -- who was for years the
circuit Judge Of that por,iaa Of Pennsviva.
MIA known as Rerks county, was Justly eele.
hrased for his legal learning, and was great
/ y beloved by bis neigaaevs aud numerous
/ friends.
But, with all his book lore and legal at.
taiuments. he was. perhaps, the sreenes, man
at cards in his entire circuit. 1t has been
said be did no; know the" Jack Of ,rumps"
! from diamond. In the village Of ope!ou.
sas, rs three individuals were sitting around
! table. in one Of those losseries "with a
hnliasd, table attached" which are so com.
men 10 the creole parishes, playing n small
! game of three. handed poker. quarrel en-.
sued, which resulted in an aggravated case
| Of assault and battery.
! The trial came on, and tho only witness TO
the ARRAY was a Captain johnson, who was
| the third hand in the game. johnson was
the skipper Of one Of these crafts which
transport sugar from that section Of the
country to New Orleans, and was self-con.
fdens. so-aheaa fellow, and WAS rs uniauut-
ed before Judge and jury as he weald 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.
After 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 pro-
posed that they should have small game Of
poker all agreed to il, and We went up
stairs and sat down to the game. Griggs
sot there, John Allen here, and there, ma
king a diagram on the clerks table 10 elu-
eidatc 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 esr-trumpet Of his
hand, for the purpose Of sharpening his
hearing, and throwing his head n little for
ward and sideways, interrupted tho witness
by asking him ''why John Allen didn't see
Griggs?"
The witness replied, "he wouldn't look
at him."
"Proeccd," says the judge.
"Well, | saw him and he saw me, and
just at that minute"
"Stop, sir" said the Judge, throwing him.
self into hearing attitude" did under.
stand you to say, that you went bind?"
eyes, sir! went blind, and Griggs he
WIS bttf q. anu hiiFH eseS, pOt Su"
Griggs. and then he saw"
"Witness !" exclaimed the Judge, strik-
ing tho bench with his clenched fist, " do
hear you Alright, sir? Doyou say that you
went blind, and then saw ?"
"Yes, SIR" replied the witness, al saw
Griggs, and Griggs he 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. Cal! up the
next case, Mr.. Clerk
Captain johnson was dumbfoundcd, and
did not awake to the reality Of his condition
until the sheriff laid his hands on him, when
be exclaimed
"God almighty, Mr.. Judge, what have
done that must go to jail ?"
The Judge, who was purple with rage, did
not deign to reply to poor Johnson, but re-
iteratcd the order with increased vehemence,
and the junior members at the bar, who had
been anticipating the fir the Captain would
eventually be placed in, were convuiscd with
laughter, which increased the rage Of the old
Judge to the highest pitch.
The prosecuting attorney cndeavored to
enlighten the judge, and eventually succeed
ed, but not until he had produced pack of
cards, and after dealing out three hands,
made the blind appear as clear as day to the
Judge.
The fine and Imprisonment we're remi,ted, :,
order was resumed in the court. and Capt.
johnson was allowed to proceed with his
testimony.