AFTER-DINNER STORIES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue XI, 15 September 1894, Page 251

AFTER-DINNER STORIES.

FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

A Napoleon of finance, who formerly speculated in Chicago, picked out a promising town in lowa and decided to * bnild it up.* He moved to the town, organised a number of stock companies, started a bank, deposited all the money of the companies in bis own bank, and then went into bankruptcy. Some of the principal sufferers

went to bis house to learn whether anything could be saved from the wreck. They found him in a magnificent apartment, and he was very sorry for their misfortune. * I regret very mnch, gentlemen,’ said be, * bnt I have practically nothing left. My wife owns this bouse and some business property, but I have nothing. Believe me, if I could do such a thing, 1 would give yon my body and let it be divided among you, for there is nothing else I can give.’

* What’s that proposition ?’ asked a rather deaf old routleman, who was standing at the back of the mournful company.

‘He says,’ explained one of the sufferers, * that we can take his body and divide it up among us.' • Well, in that case,* said the deaf old gentleman, in a loud voice, * I speak for his gall.’

IN Illinois and some other States there is an yld law on the statute books to the effect that in criminal cases the jury is ‘ judge of the law as well as the facts.’ Though not often quoted, once in a while a lawyer with a desperate case makes use of it. In one case the judge instructed the jury that it was to judge of the law as well as the facts, but added that it was not judge of the law unless it was fully satisfied that it knew more law than the judge. An outrageous verdict was brought in, contrary to all instruction of the Court, who felt called npon to rebuke the jury. At last one old farmer rose :

’ J edge,’ said he, ‘ weren’t we to jedge the law as well as the facts ?’

* Certainly,' was the response ; • but I told you not to judge the law unless you were clearly satisfied that you knew the law better than 1 did.’

* Well, jedge,’ answered the farmer, as he shifted his quid a little, * we considered that pin’t.*