A Witty Judge

Readers of Shakespeare have always onjoyed ihe wit of Portia, in the merchant of Venice, by whiuh she saved Antonio froin the knifeof Shylock, for hi8 pound of flash, but addod, should a drop of blood be shcd in taking it, his lile would be forfeited. A California judge has shown equal wit. A hard charaeter, well knowp as a thief, was indicted for entering a uiiner's tent and stealing a bag of gold dust. The theft was proved. He had been seen to cut a slit in the tent and reach in and take tbe bag. A bright thought occurred to the counsel for the dufense. ' llow f'ar did he get when hc took the dut-t?" "About half way in, as he reached over," said the witness. "Mayit please your honor," said the shrewd lawyer. " I shall demand the aeijuittal of niy cliënt. The indictment is Dot sustaincd. Hu did not enter the tent. Can a man enter a house when odc half of li nl.v is in and the other huif out ?" The jury and judgo were cqual to the ;eooy. The verdict of the jury was : " liuilty as tooue-half of his body, and not guiky M to the other half." The sentence of the JudffS was " Impriüonment for the fuilty urt for twoyears. The prisoner may leavu the other part behind, or take it with hini." The sharp lawyer was outwitted. WYU-diggers at Clarion, Iowa, canie upon what is suppo.ed to be an underground forest at the depth of 60 feet. The timber brought to the surlaco resembles white cedar and is in a well preserved condition.