Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-03-30
An Aecemmodanng Iudge.


ing portion of which we give-is told OF
Judge j., of jackson, Texas, and John
Rolfe, a backwoodsman. Rolfe-a tall
hunter, dressed in deerskin, and armed
with revolver, rifle and bowie knife
visits Jackson, calls on the Judge at his
residence with the narrator), and thus
relieves his mind:
"You see, Judge, early day before yes
terday morning, l started for this place,
and, as l wouldn't ehisel, l went without
eating the whole day. I slept in the
woods, and yesterday morning I got up
as hungry as a panther and, as 1 walked
along, thinks /, what am l to do2 l
never see game so scarce there wasn't so
much as a squirrel to be found. Pm
above cheating any man out of his din
ner; but felt that q dinner 1 must have.
Just then a fellow comes riding along the
road. l talked with him, and tried to
borrow, swearing to pay, at any place he
might name, in a week; but the critter
told me he paid his way out of his own
pocket, and he'd too little to divide"
show much have you got 2" saws l.
1.-TWO fifty" says he.
"Now, thinks !, that is too little to di-
vide. So, while he is looking another
way, l shoots him through the head, and
gin him as decent burial as I could under
an old log, and took the two dollars and a
half. but it won't do; my conscience
misgives me. Pm sorry for it, and wish
the Teller had the money back, if he could
be alive. Between you and me, as it is
late for that ! think that ! ought to be
hung"
The Judge called his little black boy,
ordered three papers Of tobacco and we
smoked in silence.
"Then you really think you ought to
be hung ~ he said with compassion, as he
Whitfield q cloud of smoke towards tie
ceiling.
"I do, in fact" answered Rolfe, emit
ting a similar volume of vapor.
The Judge smoked and considered
again.
"Well, we'll try and hang you" he ad.-
ded.
There was an expression of grat;tude
in Rolfe's eye, as he replied:
"Thank you. That will ease nv con-
science"
The Judge again knocked the ashes
from his pipe, and spoke:
"Well, come here in half an hour. IN
try to get Jury"
Kelfe and myself laying our pipes on
the table were about leaving, when the
Judge asked US to take a drink, which
having done we babe him good morning.
At the expiration of half an hour, we
returned, when we found some twevle
men drinking and smoking with the mag
istrate, awaiting us. We were poitsG y
requested to sit down.
Now" said the Judge, addressing, him.
self to Rolfe, tell these gentleme n what
you have already told me-
Whereupon Rolfe repeateS, The, s.o+o
ment he had before made.
"Now, gentlemen coyItinued the Az,
speaker, u wish to say, if this eentleroan
MIR. Rolfe your nama is, EN- we'll There's
some tine old brandy; make vourss6 nerS
fectly at home-~hether, gentlemen Won
! Sohn Role guilty, or not guilty, Of
,uer- IN addition to what he said, Z
WI observe for your information, thsl ]
nave sent out and foand the body Just
Where he stated it to be-
The jury smoked, rose up, took a little
brandy and water, and then sat down
again, and smoked in silence for sona
time. at last one of them, who snnesra5.
to be the foreman said;
"The case is tolerahly clear, and We
rather think he's guilty"
There's more tobacco on thA tahla u
said the Judge to Rolfe Hthe best YOU can
lind anywhere. You have heard wbo+
these gentlemen have said, WellH he
continued, alittle uneasy, GIdopit Iika4o
tell you in my own house; butt ~
Let that be no hildranee," said Rolfa !
filing and lighting his pipe.
Well then" continued the Judge.
" come here at ten o'clock to-morrow
morning, and win have you hung
Rolfe looked ~disooncerted, and appeared
mortified at the idea of asking a favor.
"You-you have been 50 kind to me
he said hesitatingly, that 1 hardly like !
ask you for anything more"
"Not at all" replied the Judge. @out
it; you are welcome to it before YOU
Well" said Rolfe, al wish-4o-mor
is my ague day, and the shakes come
me at ten-would you be good enough
hang me at nine.n
With the greatest of pleasure an
Iwered the good-hearted Judge. shaking
holfe BY the hand, tNine il shall be-
Accordingly John Rolfe went to the inn.
'ald his bill and the next morning was
as the clock struck nine. aS,leq 1.