His real name was Strickland, but everyone around Needmore just called him Sticky for short. Many said Sticky also had sticky fingers, and was not above borrowing a few things that weren't really his.

In spite of this, ol' Sticky had many friends, and was well liked by most. When a grave needed to be dug he was usually first man there with his shovel ready to work. The same was the case when some local person was bad sick at home or dying. He would sit up all night with them as often as needed. Nevertheless he was on trial for stealing a hog from old man Johnson.

Old man Johnson had just the opposite reputation. He was a very greedy and stingy man who had beaten many people out of their money through trades. Not many people cared for him. Most people around Needmore figured Sticky had probably got his hog as charged. They also expected that in the next few days, hams and shoulders would start to show up during the night on widows and old folks porches without anyone knowing how they got there.

A jury of twelve good men was chosen by Judge Roberts for the trial, and the community gathered in, all hoping Sticky would be found innocent. Actually, half of the men on the jury had been bested by old man Johnson in a trade, and Sticky had helped dig a grave for a loved one of the other half of the jury. After listening closely to all the evidence, it almost sounded like an open and shut case. Sticky had been spotted in the hog lot just moments before the hog went missing. The jury deliberated for almost an hour before returning with the verdict. Judge Roberts called for the verdict and Silas Crabtree spoke for the jury. Your honor, we find Sticky innocent if he will give the hog back.

The judge thought about this for a while and ordered the jury to go back and talk some more.

He said, "Now Silas.. You know I can't order him to give back the pig if he never stole it in the first place.. You will have to talk more about this verdict."

The Jury only needed about ten minutes to resolve this problem... Once again they returned to the court room and the judge asked if they had a verdict, and once again Silas spoke for the jury.

This time he said "We find Sticky guilty but he gets to keep the hog, and old man Johnson is just out of luck..."

Judge Roberts responded with a big smile on his face.. "Boys it sounds like you got it right this time. Case resolved. Sticky guilty but can keep the hog.. Case closed."

Luke 6:38: (Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.)