The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-10-05
of Chief Justice Mar
shall.

SnHIls
On q certain occasion Chief Justice Mar
shol was on his circuit in buggy, and, pas.
sing through the forests Of his native State,
was compelled to turn out Of the beaten
road into the woods to avoid an upsetting
when 10 another serious difficulty awaited
him there. Suddenly he found his vehicle |
wedged between two trees. The Judge |
looked around in vain for means Of extrica-
ting himself from the "durance vile.' At
length he thrust his hand into his pocket
and drew out his pen.kuife. He eyed it for
some time with a puzzled expression, and
thus soloquized ''No, this will not do it,"
And then shaking his wise head, he went
on: "No, this pen knife will never do it,
and how to escape from this difficulty, l
know not" And just ss he was making
up his mind to descend from his buggy and
patiently cut awsy the saplin., for one OF
the trees was nothing more, with the only
Instrument in his possess ion, an old coIored
man came most opportunely to his rescue.
Jack happened to be uaveling the same
road with his axe end bag upon his shoulder.
"Good morning, my irieud.', s1id the great
man, touching his hat and smiling gracious
ly, show rejoiced | am to see you, just at my
utmost need. Will you do me the favor to
cut down this saplng, and enabled me to
| nureun NV ionrnau ~
Jack smiled, while, with his ha! in his
hand, and bowing to his superior, he an
swered most deferentiatly:
d, "Dere's no 'casion to down de sap|in," and
stepping up to the horse, he took hold OF the
bride close 10 the bit, and said to the animal
"Back, sir back" and in another nom Mt
the buggy was free.
"Why bless me "said the Chief Justice,
| "that was c!everIy done. Why did not
: think of it :" Jack smiled, but said nothing
"Thank you, thank you, my good fellow.
am very much obliged to you." said the grote
ful Judge, "and here is a dollar for your
trouble aud Kindness" Jack was profuSr
in his thanks and bows; both worthie:
smiled, touched hats again most courteousy
aud separated, the Chief Justice driving OF
before.
e Jack pursued the same road on foot an
toward evening arrived at the house OF en-
tertainment where the Chief Justice ha
!, diDed that day. The landlord was seated i
y his piazza when Jack entered the gate, an
Il this well bred servant man approached, ha
n in hand, to make his obeisance, and ask tn
j. favor OF accommodation for the night. A
e ter according this favor, aud observing thu
S our sable friend was an intelligent and re
IS spectacle man, the landlord condescende
d to hold some little conversation with JacI
t. respecting the state Of the roads, the croE
d in the neighborhood, and other matters an
!. things within his comprehension. Thr
k encouraged, Jack became communicativ
z and related the adventure in the wood
n much to the amusement of the landlor
'e who forthwith inquired if Jack knew
* whom he had rendered this service.
re "No, Master" said Jack.
at was the Chief Justice Marshall, al
ut the wisest jurist in America" said the Ian
'p And now the old man stared in amaz
r ment, not only at this astounding fact'
also OF the consciousness of having touch
ed his hat to so great man.
g. "Why, you don't say so, Master g
he sit is true, Jack, for he dined here to.d'
ey and know him we'll" '-.. .|
ne swell !" ejaculated the astonished JAG
mt and then approaching nearer to the lanelo
n he lowered his voice and said: "We
ID, Master, he may be de Chief Justice Marsha
ng and de wisest man in oil America, and, Nj
IT'D ter, / hno,o be is gentleman, for he gin
SIX a dollar, but, Master, he got mighty lit
RS sense for all dat, SIR" B.