Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-08-11
III IS EEI A N Y.
From the New York Mirror.
THE ACCOMMODATING JUDGE.

i wing pecullarlzed those living midway
between savage and civilized life, and
though their fearless rencounters with
! death must rank under the name ofchi-
valry, there is oft mixture which in
polite society, we would term ieloni-
Gus, or mayhap something harsher.
The incongruous compound may be
better explained by the following anec-
dote, in which shall consider myself
in the place Of deceased friend from
whom heard it.
While on the frontier of Texas, Sc
veral years since, | stopped at small
town and put up at a tavern where the
luxury of the table more than compen.
stated for tue smallness of the house.
My supper was prepared and | seat
ed myself TO partake Of it. had hardly
done 50, when the door opened and a
huge mass of man entered. His head
was bound by a check handkerchief Of
cotton tied in a bow knot in front, and
from beneath its edge behind stuck a
rough, bristly mass of jet black hair.
His body was protected from the wea-
Their by tight fitting buckskin hunt
ing shirt; while leggins and moccasins
of the same material enveloped his legs
and feet belt Of undressed deer hide
buckled about his waist supported two
pistols of huge dimensions, and from it
was suspended a leather scabbard con-
tanning knife, the handle of which
was fearful token of its length. He
placed his rifle in corner and took off
the belts which hung over his brawny
shoulders, suspending his shot pouch
and powder horn, which were curious
ly wrought and told of Mexican ar
list. Having thus partly unburdened
himself, he pulled the stool near the
fire, for the night was damp and chilly
and Shaping his muscular hands on his
thighs, seemed to peer with his keen
eyes into the cracking fire, which
roared up the wide chimney.
Naturally unobtrusive, noticed him
no farther, and was fully engaged in
my meal, when the knife and fork fell
from my hand as heard his thunder
voice fall upon my ear, and in spite
of myself, a tremor stole through my
body as | heard the awful tone with
which he spoke the last word.
Landlord, gT me some liquor--l
have money"
The landlord glanced at his guest
and hesitated moment, but the stran-
ger raised his eyes; the effect was ma
gical; in an instant the well filled
whiskey bottle and tin tumbler were at
his elbow.
Landlord, hang that on the rifle /;
but stop gi' me the knife first and he
handed the waist belt, pistols and scab
bard to the host, while he thrust the
knife into the bosom Of his hunting
shirt. As the innkeeper was obeying
the bidding of his strange visiter, the
latter poured the tumbler full of whisk-
ey and tossed it ofl'at swallow.
"Landlord," he cried again, 81
want something to eat-l've money
| for that too" There was a deep tone
in his voice that disturbed me mysteri-
ously.
The additional plate was placed on
the table, and the stranger seated him.
self opposite to me. He had a fine
face-a careless independence on it;
but the courteous manner in which he
asked, 4 hope | amt one too many
here, stranger excited my surprise.
/ assured him that was pleased rather
than otherwise, as | disllked eating a
lone.
Enough SIR answered he, "there's
my fist and we shook hands over the
table. His appetite was in proportion
to his bulk, and we dscoursed but lit
tie until after supper, when he common
ced a conversation in which III eyiuced
sound mind although his language
was rough and full Of provincialsms.
During our talk ingratiated myself
in his favor, and in return for my po-
likeness, he recounted many deer, wolf
and bear hunts, with such power that
| was delighted. The conversation
however, tagged, as | fell into a train
of musng on the very important bust
ness which had brought me to that
country. A gloom gradually settled
on the face of the stranger, from which
tried in vain to rouse him. He ans
wered me courteously, to be sure but
very short; and every now and then
had recourse to the bottle, I'LL it was
emptied. >,
Landlord, fetch me more liquor"
he called authoratively, and he drank
more and more, till finally he fell from
his stool, and as retired to bed in an
other corner ofthe room, heard his
snoring ring through the cabin.
Being much fatigued having travel