A JURYMAN'S GRIEVANCE.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3440, 3 January 1880, Page 3

A JURYMAN'S GRIEVANCE.

"Well, gentlemen, have you decided upon yo»r rerdictp" 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 rerdict of murder in the first degree," and the foreman rubbed his hands with an expression of horrible satisfaction. -

"But this isn't a murder case,", said the astonished judge; " this is an action to recover assurance. What on earth do you snean ?" " Don't make any difference," growled the foreman. "My name is Brown, too— T. X. Brown —and for the last four years aoEse unprincipled wretch of the same surname has had his washing done at the laundry I patronise. The result is that erery 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 rags on record—things mixed, you see." "Well, but "

" I know what you are going to lay, but that ain't the point. The other Brown always takes back the things of bis I return. Oh! 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 the cold-blooded wretch always keeps posted as to when I change my laundry woman, and the' next week follows with his wash too. Why, Ire been clear round to all the wash-houses in the city six times already—this.fellow after me* like a sleuth-hound.

" Eeally, Mr Foreman, this is all very well, but " .

"I eren vent so far, your Honour, as to change my name—actually had all my underclothes marked Gundleberg—Julius G. Gundleberg—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."

There was a universal roar of indignation from the sympathetic spectators as the judge ordered a new trial, and put the foreman under heavy bonds to keep the peace.