Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-07-02
scELLAREo us.
The Watch and the Turkey.

tO.
some time since, walked one morning into
court, he thought he would examine whether
he was in time for business; and feeling for
bis repeater, found it was not in his pocket.
Gas usual, said he to friend who ac-
companied him, as he passed through the
crowd near the door-''as usual, have again
left my watch at home under my pillow
lie took his seat on the bench and thought
no more of it. The court adjourned, and he
returned home.
AS soon as he was quietly seated in his
parlor he bethought him of his timepiece.
and turning to his wife, requested her to send
for it to their chamber. -
"But, my dear Judge" said she, ..I sent
it to you three hours ago ~"
"Sent it to me, my dear? Certainly notw
"Unquestionably !" replied the lady; sand
by the person you sent for it,
The person l sent for it 2" echoed the
Judge.
Precisely, my dear, the very person YOU
sent Tor it. You had not left home more
than an hour when well dressed man Knocked
Mt the door and asked to see me. He brought
one of the finest turkeys ever saw and said
that on your way to court you met an Indian
with number of fowls. Having bought this
one at bargain, you had given him couple
OF reals to bring it home, with the request
that would have it killed. picked, and put
to cool, us you intended to invite your brother
judges to dish of nol'e with you Tomorrow.
And 'Oh by the way, senorito,' said he.
nus exce'iency the Judge requested me TO
ask you 10 60 to your chamber and take his
watch from under the pillow, where he saws
he lett 1t as usual this morning, and sond it
to him by me- Aud of course, me que,ido.
/ did 500
''I You did ~ said tho ,Juduo
"Certainly !' said the lady.
"Wel', replied his Honor, call can say
to you, my dear, is that You are as great
goose as the bird is turkey You've been
robbed, madam; the man was thief; never
sent him for my watch you've been imposed
upon. aud, as necessary consequence, the
watch is lost forever ~
The trick was cunning one and, after
laugh, and the restoration of the Judges
good humor by good dinner, it was resolved
actually to have the turkey for to-morrow's
dinner, aud his Honor's brothers of the bench
to enjoy so dear a morsel
Accordingly, after the adjournment of court
next day, they all repaired to his dwelling
with appetites sharrened by the expectation
of a rare repast Scarcely had thew entered
the sala and exchanged the ordinary saluta.
tions, when the lady broke forth with con-
gratulations to his Honor upon the recovery
of his stolen watch
"I1ow happy am l." exclaimed she, "that
the william was apprehended."
"Apprehended p said the Judge with sur
prise
Eyes; and doubtless convicted, too. by this
time," said the wife.
You arc always talking riddles" replied
he; explain YOURSELF my dear. know moth
ing of thief, watch, or conviction"
at can't be possible that have been again
deceived quoth the lady; "but this is the
story "About one o'clock to-day pale and
rather interesting young gentleman, dressed
in rather seedy suit of black, came to the
house in great hastc--almost out of breath.
He said he was just from court; that he was
one of the clerks, that the great villain who
had had the audacity to steal your Honor's
watch had just been arrested that the evil
dence was nearly perfect to convict him. and
all that was required TO complete it was the
turkey, which must be brought into court.
and for that he had been sent with porter
by your express orders"
"And you gave it to him 7"
"Of course did !! Who could have donbt.
ed him, or resisted the orders of a Judge ?"
Watch and turkey both gone Prav
madam, what are we to do for dinper?''
But the lady had taken care of her guests
Notwithstanding her simplicity. and the partv
enjoyed both the joke and their viands.
[Mayer's Mcrico as it Vas.