Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-04-26
Ana Accommodating Judge.

The following story only the concluding
portion of which we give--is told of Judge
j., of Jackson, Texas, and John Rolte,
backwoodsman Rolfe, o tall hunter,
dressed IN deerskin. and armed with re-
volver, 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, started for this place, and,
as | wouldn't chisel, | went without eating
the who e day. slept in the woods, and
yesterday morning got up as hungry as
panther; as | walked along, thinks [, what
am [ to do? l never see game so scarce ;
there wasn't SO much as squirrel to be
found I'm above cheating any man out of
his dinner, bnt | felt that dinner must
have Just then fellow came riding along
the road talked to him, and tried to bor
row, swearing to pay at any place he might
name, in week but the critter told me he
paid his way out of his own pocket, and he
had too little to divide.
s' How much have you got ? says l.
"sTwo, fifty says he.
| Now, thinks I, that is too little to divide.
So, when he was looking the other way, |
shoots him through the head, and gin him
as decent burial as / could under an old log,
and took the two dollars and half. But it
won't do j; my conscience misgives me. I'm
sorry for it, and wish the fellow had his
money back, if he could be alive. Between
you and me, as it is late for that, think l
ought to be hung"
The Judge called his little black boy, or
pered pipes and tobacco, and we smoked In
silence.
Then you really think you ought to be
hung?" he said with compassion, as he
whitfield cloud Of smoke towards the cell
ing.
II do, in fact" answered Rolfe, emitting
a similar volume of vapor.
The Judge smoked, aud considered again.
"Well, we'll try to hang YOU he said
There was an expression Of gratitude in
Rolfes eye, as he replied:
"Thank you. That will ease my con-
science"
The Judge knocked the ashes from his
pipe, and spoke:
.Well, come here in half an hour. I'll
have to get jury"
Rolfe and myself, having laid our pipes on
the. table, were about leaving, when the
Judge asked us to take drink, which hay
ing done, we babe him good morning.
At the expiration Of half an hour. we re-
turned, when we found some twelve men
drinking and smoking with the magistrate,
awaiting us. We were politely requested to
sit down.
"Now," said the Judge, addressing him
self to Role, "tell hese gentlemen what
you have already told me"
Whereupon Roffe repeated the statement
he had before made.
"Now. gentlemen" continued the first
speaker, 81 wish to say, if this gentleman
Mr.. Rolfe, your name is, eh F? Wei, there
is some fine old brandy; make yourself
perfectly at home---whether, gentlemen, you
find John Rolfe guilty or not guilty of muir
der. In addition 10 what he said Will OBJ
serve for your information, that have sent
out and found the body just where ne stated
it to be"
The jury smoked, rose up, took little
brandy and water, and then sat down again
and smoked in silence for some time. At
last one Of them, who appeared to be the
foreman, said:
eThe case is tolerably clear, and we
rather think he's guilty"
There's more tobacco on thetable, SAID
the Judge to Rolfe, the best you car find
anywhere. You have heard what these
gentlemen have said. Well" he continued,
:" i don't like 20 tell you IN my own mousse
but"
..Let that be no hindrance, " said Rolfe,
filing and lighting his pipe.
Well, them" said the Judge, 'scome here
at ten oclock tomorrow morning, and LII
have you hung"
Roife looked Disconnected, and appeared
mortified at the idea of asking favor
"You-you have been go kind to me, he
said, besitatingly, " that hardly like to ask
you for anything more"
"Not at all" replied the Judge. "Out
with it; you are welcome to it before you
ask"
"Well," said Rolfe 81 wi8h-fo-morrow
is my ague day, and the shakes come on at
ten-would you be so kind as to Lang me
at miner"
"With the greatest pleasure" answered
the good hearted Judge, shaking Rolfe by
the hand. Nine it shall be-"
Accordingly, John Rolfe went to the inn,
paid his bill, and the next morning was
hung as the clock struck nine.