Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 05.pdf/121

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The Green Bag.


IOO

case, that I cannot find it in my conscience to grant the increase." "But," said the enthusiastic G., " your honor should remember that you have a steady job!" Evidently the judge did remember, for he did not grant the motion.

MR. JULIUS STERN of the Chicago Bar, says the Chicago Legal News," upon a recent visit to Joliet (not under guard), in searching the musty records of Will County, discovered and brought to light the following poetic effusion. It having afforded so much pleasure to Mr. Stern, he felt that it would be productive of amusement to others, and there fore sent it for publication in the "Legal News." The author's name is withheld under penalty. We believe it is Horace. DIVORCE— POETIC EFFUSION. Illinois State, Will County, ss.. Whose people may God continue to bless. The sheriff thereof we loyally greet; In the name of that people to him and his suite We command you to summon one Barney Budge To be and appear before our circuit judge At the next term of court, to be held in October (And whisper to Barney he'd better keep súber), To answer to Bridget directly and fully All the matters and things which she claims are truly Charged and alleged in her bill for divorce, Filed on the chancery side, of course, And abide and perform for justice's sake Whatever order the court shall make. Hereof fail not, or a solemn decree, As Bridget prays in her bill should be, Will be entered against you as if by confession, All of which will be done at the October session; And have there this writ with a statement on. Of the manner in which your work has been done; Attest Richard Roc, of said court the clerk, With the seal here affixed to show it's his work. Humbly complaining unto the judge, Comes your oratrix, Bridget Budge, And shows that she lives in the Prairie State, And has for a year just prior to date; That until May first, seventy-one, She went by the name of Bridget Dunn; That she got that name from her father and mother, And up to that time had wished for no other; That then Mr. Budge, whose front name is Barney, Who had sure kissed the stone whose front name is Blarney Began his attentions. His elegant style, His quick, ready wit, and bewildering smile Bewitched her entirely, and so she consented To become Mrs. Budge; which she never repented

Until seventy-five, when your oratrix thinks That Barney commenced taking too many drinks, And instead of protecting his own lawful wife, He got drunk and abused her each day of his life. With patience she bore it two long, weary years, And tried with entreaties, indorsed by her tears, To induce Mr. Barney to alter his course. But these having failed, she reverted to force; So she tried with the poker and broomstick to aid her. Either one in her hands she believed a persuader That would conquer her Barney and make him a man : At least, she proceeded to try the new plan. But alas for your oratrix I it worked very ill; And her nose, which was pug, is puggier still; And her eyes are now black, — a color that 's new, For once they were light and a beautiful blue; And her hair, which was thick, is decidedly thin; And Barney still sticks to his whiskey and gin. And so, having failed with entreaty and force, She will see what virtue there is in divorce. So she solemnly charges the truth to be, That she and Barney can no longer agree; That he is a drunkard, habitually so; And she further intends the court shall know He 's extremely cruel, and repeatedly so; There 's nothing too bad for Barney to do. To the end, therefore, that justice be done. Though the heavens fall with the stars, moon, and sun, She asks for a writ to be made by the clerk, With the seal of the court to show it's his work, Telling Barney to come, will he or nil. And answer the charges she 's made in this bill, — The oath being waived, as it's your oratri.x's care To give Mr. Budge no occasion to swear; And your oratrix says that henceforth from this day, In obedience to duty, she ever will pray That Barney and she may each be made one, — He, Barney Budge; and she,

BRIDGET DUNN.

Accent SD JUDGE WILLIAM WIRT VIRGIN, of the Supreme Court of Maine, died at his home in Portland, on January 23. He was born in Rumford in 1822, and received his preliminary education in the Academy at North Bridgeton and Bethel. He graduated atBowdoin in 1844. He studied law with his father, a noted barrister, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. Then he removed to Norway, where he practised law until 1871. He was County Attorney for Ox ford County three years, and a member of the State Senate in 1865-66. During the latter year