Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1897-07-26
GUILTY. BUT


of infiexible integrity and much loved
and respected by all the legal profession,
but he had one common fault His So
cial qualities would lead him, despite
his Judgment, into frequent excuses.
1t was III the evening of Sunday be-
fore the beginning of the spring ses-
sion that he arrived at county seat
and took up his quarters with relative
of his better half, by whom the presence
of an official dignitary was considered a
singular honor.
After supper Judge Brown strolled
over to the only tavern in the town,
where he found many old friends, called
to the place, like himself, Oh important
professional business, and who were
properly glad to see him.
"Gentlemen, said the judge, tbs
quite a long time since we have enjoyed
a glass together. Let Us have 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 O'Clock on Monday morning
that the judge rose.
"WeI, Polly said he to his wife,
ct feel much better than [ expected aft
or that frolic of last night -
''Ah, judge" said she reproachfully,
"you are getting too old. You ought
to leave off that business. "
''Ah, Polly, what's the use Of talk
ing?"
It was at this precise moment that
the Judge having put on his overcoat,
was proceeding, according to his usual
custom, TO give his wife a parting kiss,
that he happened, in thrusting his hand
into his pocket, to lay hold of Stevens
spoons.
"My God, PollyP'
"What on earth s the matter, judge?'
''Just look at these spoons. -
"Dear mel Where dye get them?"
"Get them? Don't you see 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 heavensi How could it hap
pen?''
''I know very we'll, Polly-I was
very drunk when I came home, wasn't
I?''
"Why, judge, you know your old
habit when you get among those law
yers. -
"Was I remarkably drunk when I
got home, Mrs. Brown
eyes, Judge, drunk as fool, and 40
times as stupid. -
ST thought so,'' said the judge, drop
ping into chair in extreme despOnd-
ency. 81 knew it would come to that at
last. I have always thought that some
thing bad would happen to me-that l
should do something very Wrong-kill
somebody in moment Of passion, per-
haps-but never imagined that I could
be mean enough to be guilty of deliber-
ate larceny"
''But there may be some mistake,
judge"
mo, 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 I have always said twas enough
to make man steal, and now / have
practical illustration Of the fact.
Of course he had but little difficulty
in settling with Stevens, for the latter
had had an inkling of the joke that had
been played.
Several days passed away, and the
business of the court was drawing to
close, when one morning rough look
ing sort of customer was arraigned on
a charge of stealing. After the 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 on the
bench.
HE pleads guilty, but says he was
drunk, % replied the clerk
whats the charge against the man?'
'tMay it please your honor, said the
prosecuting attorney, ''the man is in
dicted for stealing large sum of money
from the Commercial hotel
Guilty, but drunk! That is a most
extraordinary plea. Young man, you
are certain you were drunk?''
Eyes, sir. -
'Where did you get your Hquor?'
cat Stevens -
'Did you get none anywhere else?'
"Not drop, sir.
"You got drunk on his liquor and
Efterward stole his money!"
Eyes, sir. -
Mr.. Prosecutor, said the judge,
''do me the favor to enter nolle pro-