The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-03-04
A Corrupt Judge Outwitted.

Chief-Justice Pyne, who was APP
pointed Chief Justice of the King
Bench, in 1894, had the reputation of
being influenced in his judicial capacity
by gifts. He had landed property on
the banks of the Blackwater, in Mum
ster, called Waterpark, to which he re-
paired after the fatigues of the Munster
Circuit. Being of bucolic taste, he
cultivated good breeds of cattle, and
was noted for the value of his stock.
The trial of a very important record, in
which the claims of Mr.. Weller were
opposite to those of Mr.. Nongle, was
fixed for the Cork Assizes: On the day
before that on which the Chief-Justice
was to leave Waterpark for Cork he re-
ceived a present of twenty-five heifers
from Mr.. Weller, the defendant in the
action. The Chief-Justice returned a
very gracious message to Mr.. Weller
by his steward, who came in charge of
the cattle. This man was treated with
great courtesy. He returned home to
his master we'll pleased with the urban
ity and kindness of Chief-Justice Pyne.
The Judge set forth next day for Cork.
When driving along in his coach-and-
six, passing near Rathcormac, where
the bridge spans the Bride river, the
road was blocked up by drove of cat
tie. The Chief-Justice looked out and
beheld a prime herd of most valuable
short-horns. He beckoned to a man
who was driving the cattle to approach
him and demanded:
Whose beasts are these? my man."
"These belong, please your honor, to
q great gentleman of these parts, Judge
Pyne, your HONOR" replied the coun-
tryman.
"Indeed - cried the Chief Justice, in
much surprise, land where are you
taking them now?''
"They were grazing in my masters,
Mr.. Nangle's farm, your honor; and as
the assizes are coming on at Cork, my
master thought the Judge might like
to see that he took good care Of them,
so I'm taking them to Waterpark, to
show them to the Judge"
The Judge felt the delicacy of Mr..
Nangle's mode of giving his present.
Putting his hands in his pocket he pre-
sented the herdsman with q guinea.
said he was Judge Pyne, and "that as
his master, Mr.. Nangle, had taken such
good care of his cattle; he, the Judge,
would take good care of him."
At parting he desired the herdsman
to give the animals to his steward at
Waterpark, and babe his coachman
drive on, which he did.
During the hearing of the action of
Nangle VS.. Weller, the bearing of the
Chief Justice seemed, at first, quite in
favor of the defendant, and that gentle
man nodded often to his attorney, as
much as to say, "It's all right; have
secured the Judge" But as the case
went on. and it was the province of the
Chief-Justice to charge the jury, he
put the case so strongly for the plaintiff
that. to the dismay Of Mr.. Weller, the
jury brought in a verdict for Mr.. Nangle
without leaving the box, and the Judge
certified for immediate execution. Mr..
Nangle and his counsel were, of course.
quite satisfied. No exceptions were
taken to the Judges charge and the
case was won. When on his return
from the Munster Circuit, the learned
Judge arrived at Waterpark, his first
question was,
Are the cattle all safep''
Z" Perfectly, my Lord" replied the
steward.
Where have you put the beasts l
received when leaving for the Cork
Assizesp''
lord"
sWhere left them-that is impos-
sible! exclaimed the Chief-Justice.
IL left them on the road near Rath-
The steward was puzzled. He
thought the wits of the Chief Justice
were not 90 clear a. those of Chief-
Justice ought to be.
"Come." said Sir Richard Pyne, put
ting of his hat, "rn have a look at
them myself"
The steward led the way across the
lawn to . grassy paddock, and there
were found within twenty-five fine