North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-06-10
WHOLE No. 608.
One OF tho Judges,

|
Old Jud ge---, who was for years the
circuit judge Of that portion Of Pennsyl-
vania known as Berks county, was justly
| celebrated for his legal learning, and was
greatly beloved by his neig ghbors and
| friends. a#
But with all his book lore and legal at
tainments, he was, perhaps, the greenest
man at cards in his entire circuit-It has
been said he did nos know the "Jack of
trumps" from diamond. In the village
OF Opelousas, as three individual were sit
ting round a table, in one of those dogger-
les, with billiard table attached" whicl,
are so common in the creole parishes,
playing a small game of three handed
poker, quarrel ensued, which resulted
in an aggravated case of assault and bat
terry.
The trial came on, and the only witness
to the ARRAY was Captain johnson, who
was the third man in the game. Johnson
was the skipper Of one OF those crafts
which transport sugar from that section of
the country to New Orleans, and was a
selfconfdent, go-ahead fellow, and was as
undaunted before judge and jury as he
would have been before the crew of his
own little craft. After being sworn, he
was directed to tell the court and jury
everything nc knew about the affair. Af-
ter clearing his throat he commenced by
stating ''that him, Griggs and John Allen
were over at Boulet's grocery, the second
day of the election, when Allen proposed
that they should have small game of
poker; all agreed to it, and we went up
stairs and sot down to the game. Griggs
sot there, John Allen here, and I there,
(making diagram on the clerks table to
elucidate the position of her parties.
John Allen dealt the cards, | went blind,
Griggs he went blind, and John Allen
wouldn't see him.
The judge, who was little deaf, was in
the habit of making an ear trumpet of his
hand, for the purpose of sharpening his
hearing; and throwing his head little
forward and sideways, interrupted the
witness by asking him why John Allen
didn't see Griggs ?'
The witness replied, che wouldn't look
at lin
Proceed said the judge.
SWELL | saw him and he saw, and lust
at that minute
'Stop, SIR said the judge, throwing
himself into a hearing attitude. ''did un.
stand you to say that you went blind!'
"Ies, sir | went blind, and Grig.s he
was blind, and Allen wouldn't see, but |
sac Grggs, and then he saw"
Witness, exclaimed the judge, striking
the bench with his clenched fist ''do
hear Alright, sir? Did you say that you
went blind, and then sap?"
Yes, SIR replied the witness, / saw
Hriggs, and Grigss saw, and just at that
'Stop SIR said the Judge. Mr.. Clerk
fine the witness fifty dollars for contempt
of court, and direct the sheriff to take him
to Jail, and there to keep him until he re-
ceives further orders from the court.
Call up the next case, Mr.. Clerk"
Captain johnson was dumfounded, nd
did not awake to the reality Of his condi
tion until the sheriff laid his hands Oh him
when he exclaimed
'God almighty, Mr.. Judge, what have
l done that must 90 to Jail p
The judge, who was purple with rage,
did not deiSn to reply to poor johnson,
but reiterated the order with increased
vehemence. and the Junior members at the
bar, who had been anticipating the fr
that the captain would eventually be placed
i'll, were convulsed with laughter, which
increased the rage Of the old judge to the
highest pitch. The prosecuting attorney
endeavored to enlighten the judge, and
eventually succeeded, but not until he had
produced pack of cards, and after deal
ing out three hands, made the blind as
clear as day to the judge.
The fine and Imprisonment were remit
ted, order was resum ed in the court, and
Captain johnson was allowed to proceed
witL his testimony.