Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-06-07
GUILTY-BUT DRUNK.

1t is q well known fact that ofteptimes
both those jokes which are called ''prsctical'
and that liquor which is termed '.bad shave
been productive Of exceedingly evil conse.
quences; but whether the liquor or the joke
has done the most mischief we are not called
upon just now to determine. We propose
to make meution OF an affair where bad Ii.
quor and practical joke were productive o
the very best consequences imag ginuble.
Many years ago, while the State of Geor.
gla was still in its infancy, an eccentric
creature named Brown, was one Of It's Cir.
cult Judges. He was man Of considerabl 8
ability, Of inhexible integrity, and much be.
loved and respected by al the legal profes.
sion, but he had one common fault. His So
cial qualities would lead him, despite his
judgment, into frequent excesses. In trav.
cling the Circuit, il wss his almost invaria.
BILE habit, the night before opening the court
to get Comfortably corned." by means Of
appliances common upon such occasions. II
he couldn't sacceed.while operating upon mis-
own hook, the members of the bar would
generally turn in and help him.
1t was in the spring of the year; taking
bis wife-a model of woman in her way
In the old-fashioned, but strong "carry- %
that he journeyed some forty miles, and
reached village where "Court" was to be
opened this next day. 1t was along in the
evening of Sunday that he arrived at the
place and took up quarters with a relation
Of his "better half BY whom the presence
of an official dignitary was considered sin
gu!ar honor. After supper. Judge Brown
strollsd over to the only tavern in the town
where he found many o ID friends. called 20
the place, like himself on important profes-
sional business, and who were properly glad
10 meet him.
"Gentlemen," said the Judge "'lis qnite a
long time since wa have enjoyed glass to-
gether--lrt us take drink all round. OF
course, Sterrit addressing the landlord J
you have better liquor than you had the last
time we were here-the stuff you had then
was not fit to give dog!"
Sterritt, who had charge Of the house pre-.
tended that everything was right, ,and so they
went to work. 1t is unnecessary to enlarge
upon a drinking bout in country tavern
It will quite answer our purpose to state ths,
somewhere in the region Of midnight the
Judge wended his very depious way towards
his temporary home. About the time he
was leaving, however, some younger barrist-
ers, fond of "pracsi.al," and not mucf
afraid of the bench, transferred all the silvel
spoons of Sterri,t to the Judges coat pocket
1t was eight O'Clock on Monday morning
that the Judge rose. Having INDUCED il
the process Of abution and .abstertion, an,
partaken OF cheerful and refreshing break
fast, he vent to his reom to prepare hmsel
for the duties Of the day.
"Well, Polly" said he to his wife, al fee
much better than expected to feel afte
that fiolic last night" aoi
.rAh, Judge" said she, reproachfully, 'yo,
ave getting too old-you ought to leave Of
thst business
"At, Pollyl what's the use of talkingl'
II was 81 this precise instant OF time tina
the Judge. having put on his oyercoat, wa
proceeding, according 20 bis usual custom
to give his. wife s-purting kiss, that he hap
Pened in thrusting his hand into his pock el
TO lay hold Of Sterrit's, spoons. He jerke
them out. With an, n,expressioI of horror a
most indescribablo he exclaimed
"My God! Pollyp 90.
"What on esrth's the matter, Judgep
4 "Just look at these spoons'"
"Dear me, where dye get themi"
"Get them! Don't you see the initials o
Misunderstanding them towards her.
stole thsm!"