The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-02-04
ONE-HALH' TO TIE INFOR4xANT.

CNE-HdLT 70 TIE !NfOH4aANT.
How Justice Was Administered in the
Good Old Times in Virginia.
An cold Doctor" contributes to
the charlottesville (Va.) Chyomictc
the following amusing story:
''In colonial times, when Colonel
Archibald Cary was magistrate,
living ut Williamsburg, II man who
was much dislikcd by his neighbois
on account Of his vindictiveness and
general meanness came before the
old Colonel, and informed him that
his neighbor, John Brown, had
Violated the game law by killing a
deer before the 1st of September.
Now, although Brown was a good,
honest, poor man, much esteemed
by his acquaintances, Esquire Cary
was bound to issue warrant for
his arrest, and when Brown ap-
peared before him be confessed that
he had killed the deer, knowing ut
the timo that he was violating the
law, but that his wifa had a great
longing for venison,T and knowing
that deer daily frequeptod his corn.
field, she gave him no peace. He
had begged her to, wait a little
while, till the 1st of Septcmber,
but she vowod sho could not wait.
So lie killed tho deor. The old
magis trato, seeming full Of COM
passion, said:
"'Brown, the law is explicit;' you
will have to pay the fine, which
is S.
"'Lord bless your heart, Colonol
Cary, said Brown, all have on
earth would not sell fdt S.
"'Well, then, said .stho Justice,
turning to the law md reading,
without paying strict attention to
punctuation or the oxaft position of
the words, 'Whocver shall be guilty
Of shooting, snaring, &appins. or
in any way killing n beer within
this, Ais A1ajesty's Colony of Viz
ginia, ut any time betwden the 1st
of May and the 1st of September,
shall pay n fine of. IS, and
if he is unsbls to do this,
the punishment shall he award
cd by thirty-nipe lushes on
tho bare back, we'll laid on, one-half
to be given to the informant, and
the other half to the King 'NIr.
Constable, said his Honor, as We
are enjoined to do justice and love
morcy, and whore an odd amount,
which is not capable Of IN equal
division is to be divided, between a
rich man and Al poor man, I always
give the poor man the larger share;
you will, therefore give the inform
ant in this cnse the twenty lashes,
whenever you catch his Majesty,
the King, in this colony, yoY will
give him the ninctcen." So tho
majesty Of law was maintained,
much TO the satisfaction of all who
knew the odious informant"
A TRENCH PArER's JoKE.-A young
and rich American lady, with her
three children, boarded one of the
Mississippi steamboats, which have
the dangerous habit OF enjoying q
little racing when Il couple of them
are careering up and down the
stream.
Captain, I will make tho trip
with you on one conditiop-give
me your word that you will not
race"
"Madam, I pledge my word"
They start. After half an hour
another steamer begins to overhaul
the first. The lady rushes franti-
, cally to the captain.
Captain, dye see? dye see?"
eyes, madam"
"And will you endure7 Will you
allow her to give you the 60 by?
No! Impossible! You will at least
try"
"Heaveps! madam" replied the
captain, coldly, II don't race, but if
/ did have no moro wood to pile
on and show her our heels, unless"
"Quick! quick! What is it'll"
"Upless l burn one of your
children"
every we'll, captain" she crios,
straining over the railing and look
ing wildly at the advancing stoamor;
"hurry up! Burn the biggest r.
Paris Figaro.