A certain respected judge was noted for his gentle manner with prisoners.
On one occasion poor fellow, looking miserably broken and contrite, stood before the bench to await his reward.
"Have you ever been sentenced to imprisonment?" the judge asked in a sympathetic way.
"Never, never!" exclaimed the prisoner, bursting into tears.
"Don't cry - don't cry," said the judge, consolingly. "You're going to be now ..."