The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-07-13
Guilty, But Drunk"

A story went the round twenty-five OF
thirty years ago, and is old enough to be
new. It illustrates the embarrassment
which glass too much sometimes occa-
sions the best of men. There lived in
Georgia. says Colonel Bradbury, whom
Burton credits with the narrative, a cir
cult Judge by the name of Brown, a man
o. ability. of infexible integrity and be-
loved and respected by all the legal pro-
fession. But he had one fault. His So
cial qualities would lead him, despite
his Judgment, into occasional excuses.
In travelling the circuit it was his habit,
the night before opening court, to get
comfortably corned." If he couldn't
succeed while operating upon his own
hook the members of the bar would gen.
orally turn in and help him.
1t was in the spring time of the year.
Taking his wife in the old-fashioned
carry-all, the Judge journeyed some 40
miles and reached village where court
was to be opened the next day He took
quarters with relation to his better hall,
by whom the presence of an official dig
nitary was considered high honor. AZ
ter supper he strolled over to the only
tavern in town, where be found many
old friends, attracted to the place, like
himself, on important professional busi-
ness, and who were properly glad to see
him.
Gentlemen" said the Judge, " It's
quite long time since we have enjoyed
glass toaasher-iet us take drink all
around OF course, Sterritt Undressing
the lsndlord) you have better liquor
than you had the last time we were here;
the stuff you had then was not fit to give
dogi"
Sterritt, who had charge of the house,
pretended thai everything was right, and
they went to work 1t is unnecessary to
enlarge upon drinking bout in coun-
try tavern-it will quite answer our pur-
pose to state that somewhere in the re-
gion of midnight the Judge wendell his
very devious way toward his temporary
home. About the time he was leaving,
however. some young barrister. fond
of a practical" and not much afraid of
the bench, transferred all the silver
spoons of Sterritt's to the Judges coat
pocket.
1t was eight o'clock Monday morning
when the Judge rose. Having INDUCED
in the process of ablution and abster-
sion, and psrtaken Of cheerful ana re-
freshing Breakfast he went to his room to
prepare himself for the duties of the day.
well, Polly" he said to his wife, "I
feel much better than 1 expected to feel
after that lie of last night"
'Ah. Judge" she said reproachfully,
''you are getting too old-you ought to
leave off that business"
"Ah, Polly what's the use of talking!"
1t was at this precise moment that the
Judge, having put on his overcoat, was
proceeding to give his wife a parting kiss
that he happened to thrust his hand into
his pocket, TO lay hold OF Sterritt's
spoons. He jerked- them out. With an
expression Of horror he exclaimed:
my God, Pollyr'
"What ON earth's the matter, JudRe?''
Just look at these spoonsr
Dear ne, where dye get them?'
''Get them! Don't you see the initials
on them? / stole them
''Stole them, Judge?"
Eyes, stole themr
my dear husband, it cont be posi-.
BILE. From whom?"
From 6territt, over there; his name
is on them"
"Good heavens. how could it hap.
,u?"
! know very well, Polly. 1 was
drunk when came home, was
y tibet
whicA judge. You know your ole
posses62 you get among thoss law
The vsry drunk"
Egyptian a..
them al, srkably drunk when 60
the Englishvn?
lsss q i've \ drunk as . fool, ana
-pid."
Rsin Cd tbs 1said the judge. drop
dvsllinQ wsrs swould come to tbst .
dsDwned. ~ woys thought ~ 5000
sssesaS disaE