bands are often involved in chargeable and vexa tious suits and costs in great damages : Be it enacted that in actions of slander occasioned by the wife, after judgment passed for the damages, the woman shall be punished by ducking; and if the slander be so enormous as to be adjudged at greater damages than five hundred pounds of tobacco, then the woman to suffer a ducking for each five hundred pounds of tobacco adjudged against her husband if he refuses to pay the tobacco."
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afterward, he returned to the court-room and re ported that he could not find the missing juror. "You must find him," said the court, emphati cally. The officer wilted. He did not know what to do. Tired and weary from his long search and day's work, he was ready to take the conse quences of his dereliction of duty. It was finally suggested by the court to go to the juror's home and see if he. was not there. It was ascertained where he was living, and the officer with his lantern started for the place. FACETS. It was three miles from the court-house. Two hours later the officer appeared with the The following incident is related as having missing juror. occurred in the judicial career of the late Sidney "I found him in bed, your Honor, at his T. Holmes. It happened when the deceased boarding-house." was judge of the Madison County (N. Y.) Court. "What do you mean, sir, by your very A case which had been on trial several days strange behavior? " asked the court of the was about to be ended. The lawyers had offender. finished their arguments, and the judge had "Nuthin', yer Honor. I just went home." completed his charge to the jury. He dismissed "But how did you come to go home?" the jurors, telling them to retire and arrive at "You said I might, yer Honor." a verdict. The deputy-sheriff who had them in "I said you might go home? " asked the charge locked them in a room. It was then late judge in astonishment. at night. Immediately a rap came at the door. " Yes, sir, you told us we might retire, and I The persons who were waiting in the court-room went home and done so." were breathless, not expecting that a verdict The few people in the court-room joined would be reached so quickly. The officer opened Judge Holmes in a hearty laugh. The juror the door, and the foreman spoke a word to, was immediately placed in the jury-room, and him. The officer staggered; then he spoke to the next morning a verdict in the case was the judge. reached. "There 's a juror missing, your Honor." "A juror missing? " repeated the court in surprise. An amusing incident occurred at the Albany "That is what they tell me, your Honor," term of the United States Court, Judge Coxe replied the officer. presiding, a few weeks ago. A queer-looking, "Those jurors were left in your charge, sir, solemn little man had been called by the defence and you are responsible for them. If there is to establish an alibi. He had testified that the a juror gone, it will be your duty to produce him. defendant had been at his house during the What right have you to go to sleep while on time the offence was committed, and that duty? Mr. Officer, produce that man or we will others were present also, among them a Mrs. have you taken care of." Robinson; when the following examination The officer was in a cold sweat; he was ensued : — dumfounded. The people in the room burst "Was Mrs. Robinson a neighbor of yours?" into a quiet laugh. "Yes." The sleepy officer started. There were no "Is she here?" lights in the streets of the place, and in order "No." to discover his man it was necessary for him to "Do you know where she is?" carry a lantern. He walked up one street "No." and down the other, holding the lantern in the "Is she dead?" face of every person he met. Finally, an hour "Yes."
