Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1882 — An Irritable Judge. [ARTICLE]

An Irritable Judge.

There have been other despotic judges besides Judge Lawson on the Irish bench. The late Judge Ball, though a charming conversationalist and socially popular, was very irritable. The Cork Court House, in which on one occasion he opened assizes, was backed by an ancient flower-mill of large dimensions, owned by a very litigious gentleman named Bendeeble. So close was the mill to the Court House that the noise of the machinery disturbed the tympanum of Judge Ball, who was in his later years what is known as hard of hearing. “What noise is that, Mr. Sheriff?” he thundered, with a fiery •face. “It is the mill, my lord,” meekly responded that functionary. “Let it be stopped.” commanded the Judge. “I cannot stop it, my lord,” said the Sheriff, “the owner is the only one who can do that.” “Send for the owner, then,” said the Judge.” This was done, and the order given. Bendeeble took it literally and unconditionally. The mill was stopped, and remained*stopped long after the assizes was over. Bendeeble, who was no fool, sued for damages, and the government [had to pay a large sum to compromise.