A JURYMAN'S GRIEVANCE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1820, 20 December 1879, Page 3

A JURYMAN'S GRIEVANCE.

" Well, gentlemen, have you decided upon your verdict?" asked a country judge the other day as the jury returned to the box, " Did I understand that the prisoner's name was Brown—T. K. Brown? " asked the foreman, gloomily. " It is." " Then we bring in a verdict of murder in the first degree," and the foreman rubbed his hands with an expression of horrible satisfaction. " Bnt this isn't a murder case," said the astonished judge; "this is an action to recover assurance, What on earth do you mean ? " " Don't make any difference," growled the foreman. "My name is Brown, too—T. K. Brown—and for the last four years some unprincipled wTetch of the same surname has had his washing done at the laundry I patronise. The result is that every now and then I find some of my silk-embroidered, handkerchiefs and shirts gone, and in place of them about the worst-looking lot of old rag on record—things mixed, you eee." " Well, but " " I know what you are going to say, but that ain't the point. The other Brown always takes back the things of his I return. Oh I yes; but he freezes on to my garments like a mud-turtle to a worm." " Notwithstanding which——" " I wouldn't ha' minded it so much, but thecold-blooded wretchalwayskeepspoßted as to when I change my laundry woman, and the next week follows with his wash too. Why, I've been clear round to all the wash house 3 in the city six times already—this fellow after mo like a sleuth-hound." " Really, Mr Foreman, this is all very well, but " " I even went so fur, your Honour, as to chauge my name—actually had all my underclothes marked Gungleberg—Julius G. Gun. gleberg—just think of it—but what did this wretch do but find it out, and change his'n, and before I knew it he had gathered in six more brand-new undershirts and a set of pojamas. It's no use recommending him to mercy. I've explained the whole thing to the jury, and they all agree that he ought to be hanged before sunrise to-morrow, if the sheriff can fix the things in time." And there was a universal roar of indignation from the sympathetic spectators as the judge ordered a new trial, and put the foreman under henry bonds to keep the peace.