THE IRISH JUDGE AND THE PRIS0NERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2146, 10 April 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE IRISH JUDGE AND THE PRISONERS.

Bather a good atory which ii goinjr the rounds wai wont to be a standby of Justice Porter, the well-known legal bon vivnnt of Dablin. It concerns a rare old Irish Judge on the North-west Circuit, who loved the huntiug- field more than be did the stupid, sleepy court-room. His dark was like-minded, and a joyous piir they made. One fine morning the clerk • whispered to the Judge : "Yer Honour, old Billy Duane'i meet to-day at Ballykillmulligan, an' they've a fine dogfox." "How many'a in the docket ?" asked the Judge excitedly. "Twenty, for rioting auu breach of peace, yer Honour." "Tim," said the Judge, "do you think you can get the firat 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, and bring the whole gang ; and, I say, Tim, tell Jerry to saddle the mare meanwhile. 11 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 w&a called by the clerk. "Guilty or not guilty of the crimes charged ? " demanded the Judge, with a propitious amile. "Guilty, yer Honour ; God help me,'' said the crafty prisoner. "Well," said the Judge, glancing benevolently around th« room, "I fancy I can let you off with a week." The man thanked the Judge, and stepped down to the bailiff. There wai a terrific sensation among the other defendant-?. Why, none of them expected to get off with less than 6ve years in limbo. Here was a chance to profit by '• his Honour's " pleasant mood. One and all manifested an earueat desire to, follow the example of their companion, and acknowledge the crime 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, »s the mare saddled yet?**