The Judge and the Rash Act

A judge who had spent years searching in vain for an opportunity to gain infamous distinction sat one day upon the bench, lamenting his hard lot. He was frustrated that no litigant deemed him worthy of bribery, and he even contemplated ending his own life if his business did not improve.

Suddenly, he found himself confronted by a dreadful figure clad in a shroud. The figure's pallor and stony eyes filled the judge with a horrible apprehension.

"Who are you?" the judge faltered. "And why do you come here?"

"I am the Rash Act," came the sepulchral reply. "You may commit me."

The judge paused, deep in thought. "No," he finally said, "that would be quite irregular. I do not sit today as a committing magistrate."