Old Judge Priest

"Old Judge Priest" by Irvin S. Cobb is a story set in a small Southern town in the early 1900s, following Judge William Pitman Priest, a kind-hearted judge who navigates the everyday dramas of his community. The story explores ideas of kindness, right and wrong, and the tricky parts of being human, all seen through the events that happen in the judge’s courtroom and town. The opening shows the judge in his office, thinking about the day ahead, painting a clear picture of the judge as a friendly man who is gentle despite his appearance, and we see his warm personality through conversations with his servant, Jeff, and a woman asking for help with a burial. The judge's compassionate nature is clear, particularly in his role helping those who arecast aside and vulnerable, which sets the stage for a story filled with both ordinary and deep moments.