The union Democrat., 1871-11-04

Rad WHISKY.

Many years ago, when the State of Geor-
gia was IN its infancy, one of the Circp;t
Judges was Bella Brown. He was a man Of
ability and integrity; but, like a Good manv
distinguished persons of that day. he loved =
social glass, and whenever the memhs,s az
the bar would turn in and help. he sometimes
drank to excess and became eloriouslv f.6-
died. On one occasion, while TRAVELLING on
circuit, he reached the village of DAYTON. in
Body county, where the Court was 10 hs
opened next day. and took quarters with a
relative of his wife, that lady ACCOMPANYING
him. After supper Judge Brown s.rollei
over to the only tavern in the place, kent bv
one Sterritt, where he met q number OF his
legal friends. A convivial meeting was pass
ed; drinks frequently went round, and some
where about midnight the Honorable Bella
wss in state Of mind quite the reverse of
that implied BY the old saw, "Sober as a
Judge When he was leaving for home, one
of the young lawyers, in spirit of mischief,
slyly passed some spoons from the tumblers
into the Judges pocket.
On dressing himself next morning the &C.
centric official, putting his hand into his pock-
ct, was greatly perplexed in discovering three
or four silver spoons.
"My God, Polly said he to bis wife.
of Sterritt's silver spoons /"
Lets see Them" said the wife. eyes;
sure enough, here's his veritable initials
Pray, how did you happen to have them IN
your pocket?"
II think l must have been drunk when I
came home-wasn't l ?" inquired the Judge.
eyes, replied the devoted Polly. "You
know your old habit when you get among
those lawyers"
Certainly; can understand easily enough
how it all came about. That fellow Sterritt
keeps the meanest liquor in the State; but I
never supposed that to drink it would make
man steal"
The spoons were duly returned to the land
lord and the Judge went and opened the
court, thinking no more about the matter.
Several days elapsed and the business Of
the court was drawing to close, when one
morning a rough-lookipg customer was ar
raigned before his honor for larceny. He
plead guilty. but said in mitigation that be
was drunk at the time of committing the Of
tense.
"What is the nature of the charge against
that man ?" inquired Judge Brown.
STEALING money from the till at Sterritt's
tavern" replied the clerk.
"Young man," said the Judge solemnly,
are you sure you were lntOXlcAteu wnen you
took the money ?"
''Yes, your Hnor; was so jolly drunk that
things looked like they were dancing double
shutfles, and when l went out doors the
ground kept coming up and hitting me in the
head
"That will do" replied the Judge; "but
tell me, did you get all the liquor you drank
at Sterritt's?"
Every drop of it, your Honor"
Aud so you got tipsy on his liquor, and
then stole his money W"
That's it, exactly; didn't know what
was doing"
Turning to the Prosecuting Attorney, the
worthy Magistrate said:
s'This is most extraordinary case, Mr..
Attorney, and one, think, demanding the
clemency of the court. You will, therefore,
do me the favor of entering q nolle pros.
That liquor of Sterritt's / have reason to
know, is mean enough to make man do any
thing dirty. got drunk on it myself the
other night. and stole all his spoons If Ster-
rett will sell such abominable stuff he ought
not to have the protection Of this court. You
may release the prisoner, Mr.. Sheriff."