Year: 1879




l. Irish Judge. -.


heard the story first on the rostrum
writes correspondent, from Bentley
O'Hay, in lecture on Irish wit and humor
but I never thought of repeating it in print
until assured by an Irish lawyer of our city
well qualified to speak with authority, that
might depend upon the narrative as being
literally true. sHe7could himself avouch fol
the eccentricities of Lord Norbury, and al
times-some said when little more wine
had been taken before dinner than was
usual-he carried the characteristic to exhi-
bitions simply ridiculous and nonsensical
But the story:


On certain occasion Lord Norbury was
holding criminal court in Longford OH the
docket of which much business had been
forced by series of labor and rent riots,
during the progress of which many lives
had been sacrificed. On the occasion re-
ferred to, and on the second day of the
sessions, six men were arraigned in
a lump for riot, arson and murder.
They had attacked the dwell
ing of a wealthy land owner at night; had
set fire to it, and had shot down several OF
the inmates who had tried to prevent the in.
cendiary act. The trial was brief. The acts
committed had been done openly, and the
prisoners at the bar were connected with
them as chief actors beyond dispute. Either
his lordship forgot, or else he labored under
the impression that he had but five prisoners
before him; and, in his rendering of judg-
ment, he called only five names and sentenced
only five men, entirely overlooking Mr.. Mar
tin O'Rourke, who crouched away in a cor
ner of the pen. Whether the sheriff was
equally oblivious, or whether he thought the
judge had purposely omitted one of the cul-
prits we cannot say; enough, that at sign
from the court, he opened the iron-spiked
door and led the prisoners forth.


Aud then it was that the clerk cf the court,
just aroused to full sense of the error,
leaped to his feet and called his lordship's
attention to the omission.


"There were six of them, your honor, and
you sentenced but five. The man O'Rourke
you did not condemn at all" "-.sl ,bal.


Lord Norbury was aroused in moment.
He shouted for the crier, and the crier shout
ed for the sheriff; and when the later officer
appeared he was directed to bring Martin
O'Rourke back into court and place him in
the prisoners box And the thing was done
as ordered. The prisoner looked sad and
detected as he stepped again into the box,
for he knew that he was not to be spared.


"My very good FRIEND" said the judge
bowling most politely to the stranger, 81
made sad mistake regarding yourself, and
beg your pardon from the bottom of my
heart. You should have been sentenced with
your companions, but, somehow, the duty
slipped my mind entirely. You will excuse
me, am sure. The requirements of the
law and the sentence of the court are that
YOU, Martin O'Rourke-how could have
made such an omission is surprising-that
you be taken hence to the common Jail, there
kept in solitary confinement until the day oi
execution, when you will be taken forth to
the gallows and hanged by the neck until
you are dead. And may the Lord have mercy
on your soul! You will pardon me for this
delay! 1t was a mistake, assure you; but
it is all right now, and you should be con,
tent"


strange road to contentment, surely!