Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-05-01
An Accommodating Judge.

SSN0S'
The following story-only the concluding
portion OF which we give-is told by Judge
e, of Jackson, Texas, and John Roife,
backwoodsman. Rolfe-a tall hunter,
Y dressed in deerskin, and armed with revolv-
er, rife ana 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 yester-
day morning, started for this place, and, as
l wouldn't chisel, went without eating the
whole day. I slept in the woods, and yester-
day morning got up as hungry as panther;
and as walked along; thinks l, what am I
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 din
ner; but felt that dinner l must have
just then fellow comes riding along the
road. talked to him, aud 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.
GLOW much have you got?" says I.
"Two fifty" says he.
"Now, thinks l, that is too little to divide.
So, while he is looking another way, shoots
him through the head, and gin him as decent
a burial as | could under an old LOG and
took the two dollars and half But It won't
do; my conscience misgives me- I'm sorry
for it, and l wish the fellar had his money
back, if he could be alive Between YOU
and me, as it is late for that, think that 1
ought to be hung"
The judge called his little black boy, Or
dered three papers Of tobacco, and we smoked
in silence.
s'Then you really think you ought to be
hung?" he said with compassion, as he
whitfield cloud of smoke toward the ceiling.
81 do, in fact" answered Rolfe, emitting
similar volume of vapor.
The judge smoked, and considered again
"Well, we'll try to hang you," he added.
There was an expression of gratitude in
Rolfe's eye as he replied.
"Thank you. That will ease my con-
science"
The judge again knocked the ashes from
his pipe, and spoke:
"WelI, come here in half an hour. I'll
try to get jury"
Role and myself laying our pipes on the
table, were about leaving, when the judge
asked US to take drink, which having 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 Rolfe, "tell these gentlemen what
you have already told me-
Whereupon Rolfe repeated the statement
he had before made.
"NOw, gentlemen," continued the first
speaker, Il wish to say, if this gentleman
Mr.. Rolfe your name is eh? we'll, there's
some fine old brandy; make yourself perfectly
at home, gentlemen. you find John Rolte
guilty, or not guilty, of murder. In addition
to what he said, l will observe for your in
formation, that [ have sent out and found the
body just where he 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:
'The case is tolerably clear. and rather we
think he's guilty"
"Therc's more tobacco on the table," said
the judge to Rolfe, ''the best you can find
anywhere. You have heard what these
gentlemen have said. WE'LL" he continued.
little uneasily, ~ don't like to tell YOU in
my own house; but"
"Let that be no hindrance," said Rolfc,
filling and lighting his pipe.
"Well, then" continued the Judge, "come
here at ten o'clock, to morrow morning, and
I'll have you hung"
hOl!e looked dIscontented, and appeared
mortified at the idea of asking a favor
'Hou-you have been so kind to me-" he
said, hesitatingly, "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 Rdfe, "I wish-to-morrow
is my ague day, and the shakes come on at
ten-would you be so good as to hang me at
nine?"
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
tho nlnn ctr, L