Weekly Trinity journal., 1871-11-11
BAD WHISKY.

many years ago, Wueu Tue CIdle OI GeOERla
was u its infancy, one of the Circuit Judges was
Bella Brown. He was man of ability and in
tegrity but, like good many distinguished
persons of that day, he loved social glass; and
whenever the members of the bar would turn in
and help, he sometimes drank to excess and be-
came gloriously fudded On one occasion,
while travelling on circuit be reached the vii
lage of Dayton, in Body county, where the
Court was to be opened the next day, and took
quarters with a relative of his wife, that lady
accompanying him. After supper Judge Brown
strolled over to the only tavern in the place,
kept by one Sterritt, where he met number of
his legal friends. convivia meeting was
passed drinks frequently went round, and some
where about midnight the Honorable Bella was
in a state of mind quite the reverse of that i'm
piled by the old saw, " Sober as a Judge"
When he was leaving for home, one of the young
lawyers, in IA spirit of mischief, slyly passed
some spoons from the tumblers into the Judges
pocket.
On dressing himself the next morning the &C.
centric official putting his hand into his pocket,
greatly perplexed in discovering three or
four silver spoons.
"My God, Polly" said be to his wife, "just
look here believe I've stolen some of Ster-
ritts silver spoons -
Let's see them,'' said the wife. % Yes; sure
enough, here's his veritabla initials Pray,
how did you happen to have them in your
pocket?'
81 think must have been drunk when came
home.wasn't II" inquired the Judge.
Yes," replied the devoted Polly. d" you
know your old habit when you get among those
lawyers"
Certainly; I car understand easily enough
how it all came about. That fellow Sterritt
keeps the meanest liquor in the State; but
never supposed that to drink it would make a
man steal"
The spoons were duly returned to the land
lord, and the Judge went and opened the Court
thinking no more about the,malter.
Several days elapsed and the business of the
Court was drawing to a close, when one morn
ing rough-looking customer arraigned be-
fore his Honor for larceny. He pleaded guilty,
but said in mitigation that he was. drunk at the
time of committing the offense.
What is the nature Of the charge against
this man?" inquired Judge Brown.
Stealing money from the till at Sterritt's
tavern," replied the ce'k.
Young man." said the Judge solemnly, Care
you sure you were intoxicated when you took
the money!"
g Yes, your Honor l was so jolly drunk that
things looked like they were dancing double
shuffles, and when | went out doors then 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 Ster-
ritt's?"
Every drop of it, your Honor"
"And SO you got tipsy on his liquor and then
stole his money p
"That's it, exactly; didn't know what was
doing"
Turning to the Prosecuting Attorney, the wor-
thy Magistrate said
This is most extraordinary case, Mr.. At
torney, and one, think, demanding the clemen-
cy of the Court. You will, therefore, do me
the favor Of entering noHe pros. That liquor
of Sterritt's, | have reason to know, is mean
enough to make a do anything dirty. l
got drunk it myself the other night and stole
all his spoons. If Sterritt will sell such abom-
Unable stuff, he ought not to have the protection
of this Conrt. You may release the prisoner
Mr.. Sheriff"