Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-04-04
An Accommodating Judge.

The following story-only the concluding
portion of which We give-is told OF Judge
j., Of jackson. Texas, AID John Rolfe, a
backwoOdsman. Rolte-a tall hunter, dressed
in deerskin, and armed with revolver, rife ard
bowie knie-visitz jackson, calls on the Judge
at his residence with the narrator,) and thus
relieved his u ind:
You see, Judge, early day before Yesterday
morning,I started TOR this place, and would
not chisel,l went without eating the whole day
| slept in the woods, and as | walked along,
thinks |, wha, am TO do ? / never see game
20 scarce there was L { 50 much as 4 squirrel
TO be found. I'm above cheating any man out
OF his dinner; but | felt that a dinner | must
have. Just then a fellow comes riding along
the road. talked to him, and tired to bor-
row, swearing 10 pay, at any place ne might
name, in a week; but the critter told me he
paid his way out OF his own pocke, and he'd
too little 10 divide.
" How much have YOU got, saws l.
iwo 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 hin a decent
burial as | could under an old log, and took the
two dollars and a half. But my conscience
misgives me. I'm sorry for it, and wish the
fellow had bis money back. if he could be
alive. Between you and me, it is late for
that, | think that | ought to be hung.
The Judge called his little black boy, ordered
three papers or tobacco, aud we smoked in
silence.
q Then you really think you ought to be
hung he aid, with compassion, as he whitfield
q cloud of smoke towards the ceiling
- do, IN fact" answered Rolte, emitting
similar volume Of vapor.
The Jadge smoked, and considered once
more.
Well, We will try to hang you," he added.
There expression OF gratitude IN
kolfs eye, as be replied
Thank you. naJ VIII ease my conscience
The Judge again knocked the ashes from MS
pipe, and spoke:
I" Well, come here in bali an hour I'll try
to get jury.
koIfe and myself laying our pipes on the
table, were about leaving, when tne Judge
asked Us to take drink, which having done
b4de him good morning.
Atthe expiration OF hall an hour. ~e returned,
when We found some twelve men drinking and
smoking with the magistrate awaiting Us. We
were politely requested 10 st down.
Now" SAID The Judge, addressing himself
to Rolfe " tell those gentlemen what you have
already told me"
Whereupon Rolfe repeated the statement he
had before made.
Now, gentlemen. continued tie first speak
er, | wish TO say, # TINS gentleman-Mr.
Rolfe your name Is, eh vel, there some tine
OIL brandy; make yourself perfectly At home
whether, gentlemen, you find John RoIte
gully, or not guilty of murder. In addition to
what he said, | Will observe for your nforma-
ton, that have sent out and found the body
Just where he stated It to be-
The Jury smoked, rose up, took little bran
DIV and water, and then sat down again, and
smoked in silence for some time. Al asst one
OF them, VINO appeared to br the foreman,
said:
- The case is tolerably clear, and We rather
think he's guilty
"rheyes more tobacco on the table said
the Judge to Kols, the best you can f1d
anywhere. You have heard what these gen
tlemen have said. We'll" he continued d
lutle uneasily, " don't ike 10 leH you IN my
own house; but
Let that be no hinderance," said Kolte
filing aud lighting his pipe.
We'll, then" continued the Judge, q" come
here at ten o'clock to morrow morning and
III have you huGg.
Rofs looked discontented, and appeared
mortified at the idea OF asking a favor.
"YCu-you have been kind to me" ne
said, hesitatingly " that | hardly like TO ask you
for anything more"
"Not at all,'' repied.the Judge "Opt with
it; you are welcome il before you ask
i" Well" said Kolte, - wish-to-morrow Is
my ague dav, and the shakes come on at ten
tcouid you be good enough 10 hang me at nine.
Wtit the sreatest pieaSure,' answered the
good hearted Judge, shaking Rolfe by the hand
Nine 1t shall be.
Accordingly John Rolfe went to the inn,
paiu his bill, and tne next morning was hung
as the clock struck nine.