The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1889-10-10
GUILTY, BUT DRUNK.
AN AMUSING SCENE IN A GEORGIA
COURTROOM.

The Judge Had Been There Himself, and
the Prisoners Novel Plea Saved Him
From the Pen.
Many years ago. while the State of
Georgia was still in its infancy, an
eccentric creature named Brown was
one Of its circuit judges. He was a
man of ability, of infexible integrity,
and beloved and respected by all the
legal profession. But he had one
fault. His social qualities would lead
him despite his judgment, into occa-
sional excesses. In travelling the
circuit it was his habit, the night be-
fore opening court. u get "coroforta-
bly, corned" If he couldn't succeed
while operating on his own hook, the
members of the bar would turn in and
help him.
It was in the spring of the year j;
taking his wife in the old fashioned
carryall, the Judge journeyed some
forty miles and reached a village
where court was to be opened next
day. He took quarters with rela
ton Of his better half, by whom the
presence of an rfficial dignitary was
considered high honor. After sup
per he strolled over to the only tav-
ern in the town, where he found many
old friends, called to the place, like
himself, on important professional
business, and who were properly glad
to see him.
"Gentlemen," said the Judge, tits
quite long time since we have enjoy
ed glass together. Let us take a
drink all round. OF course. Sterritt
addressing the iandlord), you have
better liquor than you had the last
time we were here; the stuff you hal
then was not fit to give a dog p
Sterritt, who had charge of the
house, pretended that everything was
right, and so they went to work. 1t is
Unnecessary to enlarge upon a drink
ing bout in country tavern ; it will
quite answer our purpose to state that
somewhere in the neighborhood of
midnight the Judge wended his very
devious wa, to his temporary home.
About the time he was leaving, how
ever, some young barristers, fond of a
"pructical," and not much afraid oi
the bench, transferred all the silver
SPOONS of Sterritt to the Lud ge's coat
pocket.
1t was eight o'clock Monday morn
ing that the Judge rose. Having in
dulged in the process Of ablution
and partaken of cheerful and
refreshing breakfast, he went to
his room to prepare himself for the
duties of the day.
"Well, Polly" said he to his wife,
81 feel much better than | expected
after that frolic of last night"
"Ah, Judge she said, reproach
fully, "you are getting too old; you
oug hit to leave off that business"
"Ah, Polly! what's the use of talk
ing S'
1t was at this precise instant that
the Judge, having put on his overcoat,
was proceeding, according to his GUS
tom, to give his wife parting kiss,
that he happened, in thrustins his
hand into his p ,cket, to lay hold OF
Sterritt spoons. He jerked them
OUT w I'LL an eApIesSioh VI hoiioi
he exclaimed
"My God ! Polly
"What on earth's the matter,
Judge?''
"Just look at those spoons -
"Dear me, where dye get them ?"
"Get them? Don't you see the
initials on them ?''-extending then
ss tayo {b,,,
Stole them, Judge? ?"
ayes, stole them !"
"My dear husband, it can't be pos
sible From whom p
"From Sterritt, over there; his
| name is on them"
"Good heavens! how could it hap
pen p
81 know very well, Polly-I wa
very drunk when came home
wasn't l 2"
"Why, Judge, you know your ole
habit when you get among those law
yers ?"
But vas l ve,y drunk p
yes, you aoas.
"Was 1 remarkably drunk when
got home, Mrs. Brown p
Yes, Judge, drunk as fool AM
forty times as stupid"
II thought So" said the Judge
dropping into a chair in extreme de
spondency. Il knew it would com
to that, at last. l have always though
that something bad would hapyen t
me that should do something yer
wrong; kill somebody in moment 9
passion, perhaps; but l never imag
ined that could be mean enough t
be guilty of deliberate larceny p
sBut there may be some mistake
Judge"
| mo mistake, Polly. l know yer
we'll how it all came about. That fe
'ow Slerritt keeps the meanest sort {
liquor, and always did; liquor mea
enough to make man do any kin
of mean thing. have always sal
it was mean enough to make ma
steal, aud now | nave practical illul
tration Of the fact |" and the poor ol
man burst into tears.
Don't be child" said his wifi
wiping away the tears. "Go like
man over to Sterritt, tell him it was
little bit of a frolic. Pass it off as
Joke; go and open court, and nobod
will ever think Of it again"
!, A little Of the soothing system ope
, ated upon the Judge, as such thinl
usually do; his extreme nortifcatit
was finally subdued. and over