The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-01-06
Story Of Coz. MOttOcES.

In the town of Peacllam, Caledonia
County, there resided in days long gone
the tacetious and cNcentric Judge Mat
tocks. He was Il man noted for his dry
humor, quick wit, ready reply, strong ma
tive talents, and eminent judicial abilities.
and in his day and generation. held a
prominent position in the state and upon
the bench, to which he was at once. both
an honor and an ornament The follow
ing anecdotc is still fresh in the minds of
many. The Judge and his wife had been
visiting some friends in the southern por-
tlon of the state. and when on their way
back We're overtakcn by snow Stolm-
Tie still kept on, nevertheless, anxious to
reach home, as the week and the year
were both drawing to close: but in
passing the residence of an old friend. he
was intercepted, and inducements offered
to him to pass the night under his roof:
As it was fast growing dark. and the
prospect of reaching the next station not
very tlattering, he concluded to stop Al
ter seeing his fine old Morgan brown safe
| ly stabbed and fed. himself and host adj
journed to the house, where after doing
ample justice to the we'll spread table of
Vermont fare, he sat down to enjoy his
pipe, and an evenings conversation. with
his friend and his family. The Judge took
the prccaution to mention two or three
times during the courcc of the evening
that it was habit of his. to bathe or
sponge himself all over with cold water
every morning. That to it, in great
measure, he attributed his general goot
health. The good lady of the house
from these quiet hints, very thoughtfully
supplied his sleeping apartment with q
large tin pail of water, together with the
necessary apparatus to perform his morn
ing ablutonS In due time the Judge ant
his wife were shown to their room-whicl
was situated at the head of tiigh
of stairs that led directly from tn,
kitchen into the room, and unprotected
at the top, by balusters, railings, or augh
to prevent fall and broken head
where their host bidding them "goo'
night" left them to seek their much need
ed repose. The judge smiled as he sur
veyed the result of his gentle hints, Il
evinced in the pail and its surroundings
but the laugh was not to be all on ON
side The first of january broke clea
and cold on the following morning, an
, the judge arose and proceeded to his &C
customed aquatic performances The wa
ter in the pail had frozen over during tn
night, and in breaking it the Judge spille
> a quantity of water, and in pouring it in
to the bowl he spilled still more, whic
5 froze almost as soon as it touched tn
floor. The judges wife censured his awb
5 wardness, as she surveyed the little pon
a frecen about the head of, and down til
f stairs. The Judge put on his slippers an
e stepped manfully up to the water pa
f which sat near the head of the stairs,
i begin; when unwittingIy stepping upo
e the ice, his feet suddenly went out fro
e under him, and - accoutred as he was,
r slid-bump-bump-bump, thumr, dow
c stairs through the door, whose hasp ga,
l. way before his weight and impetus-rigl
|, into the kitchen, full length, where Il
|, women folks were busily preparing breal
le fast. Getting upon his feet as quickly ;
possible, he exclaimed, "L@lies, l aci