The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-04
GUILTY, BUT

W
Of it's circuit judges.
He was man of considerable ability,
Of inf1exible integrity and much loved
and respected by all the legal profession,
but he had one common fault His So
cinl qualities would lead him, despite
his Judgment, into frequent excuses.
1t was i'll the evening of Sunday be-
fore the beginning of the spring ses-
sion that he arrived ut county seat
of his better half, by whom the presence
of al official dignitary was considered
singular honor.
After supper Judge Brown strolled
over to the only tavern i'll the town,
where he found many old friends, called
to the place, like himself, on important
professional business, and who were
properly glad to SEQ him
Gentlemen, said the judge, "tis
quite long time since we have enjoyed
n glass together. Let us have a drink
all round. OF course Stevens address
ing the landlord), you have better liquor
than you had the last time we were
here. The stuff you then had was not fit
to give dog"
Somewhere in the region Of midnight
the judge wendell his very devious way
toward his temporary home. About the
time he was leaving some young barris-
tiers, not afraid Of the bench, transfer.
red all the silver spoons of Stevens to
the judges coat pocket.
1t was s o'clock on Monday morning
that the judge rose.
well, Polly" said he TO his wife,
81 feel much better than expected aft
er that frolio of last night.
"Ah, judge" said she reproachfully,
you arc getting too old You ought
to leave off that business -
"Ah, Polly, what's the use of talk
ing?"
1t was at this precise moment that
the judge, having put on his overcoat,
was proceeding, according to his usual
custom, to give his wife parting kiss,
that he happened. in thrusting his hand
into his pocket, to lay hold of Stevens
spoons.
"My God, Pollyt''
"What OH earth's the matter, judge?"
"Just look at these spoons
Dear me! Where dye get them?"
"Get them? Don't you SEQ the initials
on them?" extending them toward her.
81 stole them
My dear husband, it can't be posi-
BILE. From whom?"
From Stevens, over there. His
name is on them.'
GOOD heavens! How could it hap
pen?'
Il know very we'll, Polly-I was
very drunk when 1 calno home, WASH t
I?''
"Why, Judge. you know your old
habit when you get among those law
yers. "
"Was I remarkably drunk when 1
got home, Mrs. Brown"
Eyes, judge drunk as n fool, and 80
times as stupid
II thought so, said tho judge, drop
ping into chair in extreme despond-
ency. L knew it would come to that at
last. have always thought that some
thing bad would happen' to me-that
should do something very wrong-kill
somebody i'll moment of passion, per-
haps-but never imagined that could
be mean enough TO be guilty of tleliber-
ate larceny
''But there may be some mistake,
judge -
No, mistake, Polly. That fellow
Stevens keeps the meaneSt sort of liquor
and always did-liquor mean enough to
make man do any sort of mean
thing have always said it was enough
to make man steal, and now have Il
practical illustration of the fact
or course he had but little difficulty
III settling with Stevens. for the latter
had had All inkling of tho joke that had
been played.
Several days passed away, and tho
business of the court was drawing to q
close, when one morning a rough look
ing sort of customer was arraigned on
a charge of stealing. After tho clerk
had read the indictment to him he put
the question::
Guilty or not guilty?'
Guilty, but drunk" answered the
prisoner
Whats that plea?" exclaimed the
judge, who was half doing Oh tho
bench.
"He pleads guilty, but says he was
drunk, replied the clerk.
Whats the charge against the MANI"
May it please your honor" said tho
prosecuting attorney, xtho man is in
dlcted for stealing a large sum of money
from the Commercial hotel"
Guilty. but drunk! That is most
extraordinary plea. Young man, you
are certain you Were drunk?''
Eyes, sir.
Whore did you get your liquor?"
"At Stcvens'.,,'
Did you get mono anywhere else?"