The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-12-27

From the Republican Advocate.
ORIGINAL .iNECDOTE.

ed for the civil department, the supreme
court, or that branch of IL called the SER
cut court" was appointed Tor one OF the
circuits, IN the county OF Duchess, and
the eccentric Judge Crane was TO preside.
Judge Crane was very wealthy and high
| ly respected for his public and private ylr,
tue, especially for his chartableness to
/ the poor; but he always dressed IN plain
| garb, and would hardly ever wear an ever
coat, whatever The weather might be, and
| IL was seldom that he rode when he went
abroad, although ne owned many valuable
! horses. On the morning of the day IN
which the court was TO begin, the Judge
set out before day and walked gently on
| through hail, rain and snow, TO the appoint
ed place. On arriving at Poughkcepsie.
cold and wet, he walked to tavern,where
he found the landlady and her servants
were making large preparations for the
entertainment Of the Judges, lawyers, and
other gentlemen, whom they expected
would attend the circuit court.
The Judge was determined 10 have
some sport, and in pleasant tone address
sed tho landlady-I have no money, and
was obliged to come TO court, and have
walked through this dreadful storm more
than twenty miles. ] am wet and cold,
dry and hungry. want something to eat
! before the court begins; when the landla-
dy put herself in maglsterial posture,
and putting on countcnance OF contempt,
said TO the Judge, you say you are wet and
cold, dry and hot;--how can all that be:
! No, my dear madam, says the Judge,
said that | was wet and cold; and II you
had been out us long as have been III this
storm, | think you would likewise be wet
and cold. said that wanted something
| 20 drink and eat. But you have no money
you say, retorted the fandlady. tell you
the truth, says the Judge, the whole truth.
and nothing but the truth, but were ! as
rich as Crusus would be willing 10 work
for something to eat and drink. 'Crusus,
vino is CrGsus? says the lady. | never
knew him, said the Judge, but ! have UNI
derstood that he was very rich. ! want
something to drink, and were ! as poor Us
job in his utmost calamity, and had my
health and strength as well as now have
! J would willingly go To work n little while,
If could get something TO drink and u
bite of cold victuals.--Well old daddy, says
she, how much do you want to drink? Hall
gill of good brandy, madam, said he.
Very well, says she, will give you half Il
gill and some cold vctuals II you will go
into the back yard and cut and split three
armiuls of wood, and bring II into the
kitchen, where the servants want 10 make
a good fire to dry the gentlcmen's great
coats when they come, and after you get
your victuals, shall want you to 90 away.
Well, says he, give me the brandy, and III
| hY, Ia ha
aud walked quietly into the wood yard,
where ho found good axe, and he soon
laid by the kitchen fire the proper quant-
ty of wood, viz. his arms three times full.
When the landlsdy had got his cold lun
cheon on the table, in hopes that he would
eat and be of--now for the good bite Of
victuals, says the Judge There it is, said
she codly. And il IL almost as cold as my
self but not half SO wet, for ] see neither
tea nor coffee, nor chocolate to wet it.
Beggars must not be choosers, said she.
am not begging Of you, madam, said he,
but have paid the full price demanded.
told you, said she, would give you cold
vctuals, and there is cold boiled ham, cold
pork and beet, cold potatoes and turnips,
and cold vinegar, pickles and soup, and If
you want any thing hot, there is mustard
and pepper, and here is good bread, good
butter, and good cheese, and all good e.
nough for such an old r,gamuffin as you
are. 1t is oil very good, said he pleasant
ly, but madam be so good as to letme have
some new milk, warm right from the COW,
to wet this good victuals. The cows are
not MIXED, says she. Then let me have a
bowl Of cold milk, said he. Twill not send
servants in this storm to the sprlnk- house
to skim il for You, said she. Said he with
a pleasan. smile, dear madam, | have a
good wife at home, older than you are, who
would 90 out in worse storm than this,
10 milk the cows and bring the milk To the
poorest man on earth, at his request; or TO
bring the milk from the sprink house, cream
) and oil, without skimrnlng, to feed the most
abiect Of the human race.--1ou have
very good wife at home, Gays she. Indeed
have, said he and she keeps my clothes
clean and whole, and Notwithstanding you
called me "an old ragmuffin.' am not a.
shsmed to appear abroad IN the clothes I
wear, in any good company Well, must
confess, ssys she, that when you have
your brosd brimmed hat Oh, you look mid.
ding well, but wontyou to eat and be OIL,
for we want the FIRE 10 dry The gentlemen's
great coats and umbrellas by and among
The rest we expect Judge Crane. Judge
Crane, says the Judge, who Judge Crane'
The circuit Judge, said she, one Of The su'
preme Judges, you old fool
Well said the Judge, will bet goose
that Judge Crane has not had, and will not
have q great coat on his back, or an um.
brella over bis head this day. You old
goose, said she, I care nothing for your
bets. Eat and be of, | tell you, Judge
Crane is 10 be here, and we've no room for
you. don't care said he, one rye straw