A Judge's Grim Joke.

Otago Witness, Issue 1765, 19 September 1885, Page 28

A Judge's Grim Joke.

A friend repeated rather a good story to me, which it seems was wont to be a stand-by of Justice Porter, the well-known legal bon vivant of Dublin.

It was concerning a rare old Irish judge on the North-west Circuit, who loved the huntingfield more thau he did the stupid sleepy courtroom. His clerk was like-minded, and a joyous pair they made.

One fine morning the clerk whispered to the Judge :

"Yer Honor, old Billy Duane's meet's today at Ballykillmulligan, an' they've a fine dog-fox."

"How niany's in the docket?" asked the Judge excitedly. " Twenty, for rioting and breach of peace, yer Honor."

"Tim," -said the Judge, "do you think you can get the first fellow to plead guilty without a jury trial, and me to let him off with a week in jail?"

" The easiest thing in the world," answered the faithful clerk.

" Make haste, then, aud bring the whole gang ; and, I say, Tim, tell Jerry to saddle the mare meanwhile."

The twenty Fenians were brought into court — a defiant gang, nineteen of them prepared to fight with counsel and jury to the bitter end.

The twentieth had been interviewed by the clerk. He was called off by the clerk. " Guilty or not guilty of the crimes charged?" demanded the Judge with a propitious smile. " Guilty, yer honor ; God help me," said the crafty prisoner.

" Well," said the Judge, glancing benevoleutly about the room. " I fancy I can let you off with a week."

The man thanked the Judge and stepped down to the bailiff.

There was a terrific sensation among the other prisoners. Why, none of them expected to get off with less than five years in limbo.

Here was a chance to profit by " his Honor's" pleasant mood. One aud all manifested an earnest desire to follow the example of their comrade and acknowledge the crimes in a batch.

"Do you all plead guilty ? " demanded the Judge eagerly.

"We do ! " shouted the enthusiastic nineteen in chorus.

" Fourteen years' transportation apiece," exclaimed the Judge, with a click of his jaw — "Jerry, is the mare saddled yet?" — Eastern Paper.