The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1866-05-23
An Accommodating Judge.

An Accommodating Judge.
The following story-only the conclu-
ding portion of which We give--is told by
Judge j, of Jackson, Texas, and
John Rolfe, a backwoodsman. Rolfe-a
tall hunter, dressed in deerskin, and arm
ed with revolver, rifle and bowie knife
visits jackson, calls on the Judge at his
residence with the narrator and thus re-
lieves his mind:
"You see, judge, early day before yes
terday morning, l started for this place,
and, as I wouldn't chisel, went without
eating the whole day. slept in the
woods, and yesterday morning got up as
hungry as a panther; and as l walked
along, thinks |, what am | to do? | new
er see game SO scarce there wasn'ts much
as sqirrel to be found I'm above cheat
ing any man out of his dinner; but I felt
that a dinner I must have Just then a
fellow comes riding along the road. talk
ed to him, and tried to borrow, 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'd too
little to divide.
'How much have you got 2" says [.
''Two fifty" says he.
"Now, thinks l, 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 | could under an
old log and took thetwo dollars and half
But it won't do; my conscience misgives
me. I'm sorry for it, and [ wish the fell
lar had his money back, if he could be
alive. Between you and me, as it is late
for that, I think that ought to be hung"
The judge called his little black boy, Or
dered three papers oftobacco, and wesmok-
ed in silence.
''Then you really think you ought to be
hung ?" he said with compassion, as he
whitfield cloud Of smoke toward the cell
ing.
Il do, in fact" answered Rolfe, emit
ting g 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
Roles eye as he replied.
"Thank you. That will ease my con-
science"
The judge again knocked the ashes from
his pipe, and spoke:
"Well, come here in half an hour. I'll
try to get jury
Rolfe and myself laying our pipes on
the table, were about leaving, when the
Judge asked us totake drink, which hay
ing done we babe him good morning.
At the expiration Of half an hour, we
returned, when we found some twelvemcn
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 state
ment he had before made.
CHOW, gentlemen" continued the first
speaker, Il wish to say, if this gentleman
Mr.. Rolfe your name is Ell? well, there's
some fine old brandy; make yourself per-
fectly at home, gentlemen, you find John
Rolfe guilty, or not guilty Of murder. In
addition to what he said, will observe for
your information, that I have sent out and
toundthe body just where he statedit to be-
The jury smoked, rose up took little
handy 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:
''1he case is tolerably clear, and rather
We think he's guilty"
''There'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 Well" he
continued: little uneasily, II don't like
to tell you in my own house but"
"Let that be no hindrance," said Rolfe, !
filing and lighting his pipe.
"Well, then" continued the judge,
S'come here at ten clock tomorrow morn
in:, and I'll have you hung"
Rolfe looked disconted, and appeared
mortified at the idea of asking favor.
"You-you have been SO kind to me"
he said, hesitatingly, ''that hardly like
to ask you for anything more"
"Not at al" replied the Judge. "Out
with it; you are welcome to it before you
ask"
"Well," said Rolfe, Il wish-to-mor-
row is my ague day, and the shakes come
on at ten-would you good as to hang
me at nine 2"
"With the greatest pleasure" answered
the good-hearted judge, shaking Rolfe by
the hand. sNine it shall be-"
Accordingly ohm Role went to the inn,
paid his bill, and the next morning was
hung as the clock struck nine.
A BEAUTIFUL ILLUsTRATIoN.-If any