The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-09-02
The Perils of Drinking Bad Wbiskey.
From the Georgia ConstitutionalIst

FROM tue
Many years ago when the State of Geor-
gia was in its Infancy, one of the Circui.
Judges was Bella Brown, an ancestor of the
recent ''secesh" Governor of that name.
He was man OF ability and integrity, but
like a good many distinguished persons of
that dry, he loved social glass; aud when
ever tae members of the bar would turn
in ard help. be sometimes drank 70 &C.
cess nnd became gIoriously fuddEd. On
one occasion while travelling on circuit, he
reached the village of Dayton, in Dooly
county, where the court was to be opened
next day, and took quarters with relative
of his wife, that lady accompanying him.
After supper strolled over TO the only tay-
ern in the place, kept ~ one Sterrit,
where he met a number of his legal friends.
A conviylal evening was passed drinks
frequently went round, and somewhere
about midnight, the Honorable B4a was
in state of mind quite TIE reverse Of the
old saw. Sober as Judge" when he
was leaving for home one of the young
lawyer, in spirit CT mischief, slyIy pass
ed some spoons from the tumblers into the
judges pocket.
On dressing himself next morning, the
ecceutric official, putting his hand into his
ing three or four silver spoons.
My God Polly" SAID he to his wife,
''just look here, believe I've stolen some
Of Sterrlt' spoonsi
"I.et' see them, says the wife. Eyes,
sure enough-heTe is his yeritable initials!
Pray how did you happen to have them IN
your poke?
81 think | must have been drunk when
I came home was mt | p inquired the
Judge.
Yes" replied the devoted Polly, "you
know your old habit when you get among
those lawyers.
Certainly; | can understand easy enough
how il all came about. That fellow Ster
rit, keeps the meanest liquor In the State !;
but never supposed that to drink it would
make man steal !
The spoons were duly returned to the
landlord, and the judge went and opened
his court, thinking SO more about the mat
ter. Several days elapsed, and the bust
ness of the court was drawing to a close,
when one morning a rough looking custom.
or was arraigned before his Honor for la
ceDy. He pleaded guilty. but id in nit
igatlon that he W drunk at the time OF
committing the offence.
Nv hat Is the nature of the charge against
the man 2" enquired Judge Brown.
Stealing money from the till at Ster
ritt's tavern, replied the clerk.
Young man., said the Judge, solemnly,
'are you sure you were intoxicated when
you took this money p
Yes, your Honor, [ was SO jolly drunk
that things looked like they were dancing
double shuffes, and when | went out doors
the ground kept coming up and hitting me
in the head.
That will do" replied the Judge
But tell HE, did you get all the liquor, and
then stole his money!
Every drop Of it, your Honor"
And so you got tipsy on his liquor, and
then stole his money!
That it exactly; didn't know what
| was doing
Turning to the prosecuting Attorney, the
worthy magistrate said This is a most
extraordinary case, Mr.. Attorney, and one,
| think demanding the clemency of the
court. You will, therefore, do me the
favor Of entering RoHe PROSE. That liquor
Of Sterrit's | have reason the know, l.
mean enough TO m;, a man DO anything
dirty. J got drunk on it myself the other
night. and stole all lis spoons If Ster~
rlt will sell such abominabie stuff he ought
not 10 have the protection of this court
You may release the prisoner, MIR. Sher-
IN -