The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-08-27
The Perils Of Drinking Bad Whisky.

NV u NAH " ~ ~ INV " NNE u =
1rom the Georgia Constiutionalistl
Many years ago when the state of Geor-
ola was In its infancy, one Of the Circuit
Judges was Bella Brown, an ancestor Of the
recent "secesh" Governor of that name
He was q man Of ability and integrity, but
like a good many distinguished persons Of
that day, he loved n social glass; and when
ever the members Of the bar would turn
in and help, he sometimes drank to ex-
cess and became gloriously uddled.-
On one occasion while travelling on cir
cult, he reached the villnge OF Dayton, IN
Dooly county, where tho court was to
be opened next day, and took quarters
with q relative Of his wife, that lady accom-
panying him. After supper Judge Brown
atrolled over to the only tavern in tho
place. kept by one Sterritt, where he met a
number Of his legal friends. A convivinl
evening was passed; drinks frequently
went round, and somewhere about mid
night, the Honorable Bella was in n state of
mind quite the reverse of that implied by
the old eaw oSober M n JUDGE" When
he was leaving for home, one of the young
lawyers, in a spirit Of mischief, slyly passed
some spoons from tho tumblers into the
Judges pocket.
On dressing himself next morning, the
eccentric official, putting his hand into his
pocket, was greatly perploxed in discover
ing three or four silver spoons.
"My Godl Polly" said lie 10 his wife,
"iust look here, | believe I've stolen some
Of Sterritts spoons r.
Lets eco thom," a y tho wife. 'fYo6,
sure enough-hero's his vcritablo initials
Pray how did you happen to have thom in-
your pocketg .r- nrfrH .E
az think Imust have been drunk when I
came home, wasn't II" inquired the Judge.
eyes" 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-
rift, keeps the meanest liquor in the State,
but ] never supposed that TO drink il would
make a man steal T.
The spoons were duly returned TO tho
landlord, and the Judge went and opened
his court, thinking no more about the mat
ter. Several days elapsed, and tho bust
ness of the court was drawing to n close
when one morning n rough looking custom
er was nrraigned before His Honor for lar
ceny. lie pleaded guilty, but enid in miti-
cation that he was drunk nt tho time OF
| committing the offence.
"Whnt IL the nature of the charge. against
the man2' inquired Judge Brown.
STEALING money from the till at Stor-
ritt's tavern replied the clerk.
"Young man" said the Judge, solomnly,
fare you sure you was intoxicated when
you took this money!
eyes, your Honor, j was 80 jolly drunk
that things looked like they were dancing
double shufles, aud when l went out doors
the ground kept coming mp and hitting me
in the head
THAT will do" replied the Judge. '13ut
tell me, did you get all the liquor you
drank nt Sterritt'sp'
Every drop Of Il, your Honor"
"And so You got tipsy on his liquor, and
then stole his money 2"
That's il exactly 1 didn't know what
was doing"
Turning TO the prosecuting attorney, the
worthy magistrnto said: "This is n most
extraordinary case. Mr.. Attorney, and one,
l think, demanding tho clemcncy Of the
Court. You will, therefore, do me the
favor Of entering noHe PROSE-. That liquor
of Sterritt's, l have reason TO know, Is
mean enough to make q man do anything
dirty. ! got drunk ON il myself the other
night, and stole all his spoons. II Steiitt
will sell such abominablo stuff, he ought
not 10 have the protection Of this court,
You may release the prisoner, Mr.. Sheriff.