Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-01-27

Story OF Gov. MATToCKs.-In the
town Of Peacbam, Caledonia County
there resided in days long gone. the face
tous and eccentric Judge Mattocks. He
was man noted for bis dry humor, quick
wit, ready reply, strong native talents,
and eminent judicial abilities, and in his
day ami generation, held high place
in the state and upon the bench, to which
he was both an honor and an ornament.
The following anecdote is still fresh in
the minds of many. The judge and his
wife had been visiting some friends in
the southern portion of The state, and
when on their way back were overtaken
by snow storm. He still kept on nov
ertheless, anxious to reach home, as the
week and the year were both drawing to
close but in passing the residence of
m old acquaintance, he was Intercepted,
and inducements offered him TO pass the
night under his roof As il was fast
growing dark, and the prospect Of reach
ing the next station not very haitering,
he concluded 10 stop. After seeing his
fne old Morgan brown safely stabbed aud
fed, himself and host adjourned 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 family. The Judge took the precau
ton to mention two or three times du-
ring the evening, that ii was habit Of
his, to bathe or sponge himself all over
With cold water every morning. That to
1t in great measure, he attributed his
general good health. The good lady of
the house, from these quiet hints, very
thoughtfully supplied his sleeping apart
msnt with large tin pail of water, to-
gether with the necessary apparatus to
perform bis morning ablutions. 10 due
time the judge and his wife were shown
to their room--which was situated at the
head of flight of stairs that led directly
from the kitchen into the room, and un-
protected at the top by balusters, ratings
or aught TO prevent a fall and broken
head--where their host bidding them {
good night" left them to seek their much
needed repose. The Judge smiled as be ,
surveyed the result of his gentle hints, as
evinced in the pail and its surroundings.
but the laugh was not to be all on one
side. The first Of January broke clear
and cold on the following morning, and
the judge arose and proceeded to his Gus. :,
tomary aquatic performances. The wa,
ter in the pail had frozen over during the
night, and in breaking it the Judge spill
ed quantity of water and in pouring il :
into the bowl he spilled still more. which
froze as soon as it touched the floor
The judges wife censured bis awkward. I"
ness, as she surveyed the little pond fro. =
zen about the head Of, and down the y
tairs. The judge put on bis slippers y
md stepped manfully up to the water
pail which stood at the head of the stairs. .
o begin when unwittingly stepping up
N the ice, his feet suddenly went out
rom under him, and "accoutred as he
'as," slid--bump-bump--bump, thump.
IOwn stairs through the door, whose hasp
ave way before his weight and imnetps
right into the kitchen, full length TO
'here the women folks were busilv nre, as
'arIng breakfast. Getting upon his feet ba
s quickly as possible, be exclaimed
Ladies, ,0ish you a happy Mew YearI' i,
no skipped up stairs. followed by bursts de
laughter from the occupants of the
l'cnen. whose culinary operations were
aus ludicrOusly interrupted.-T. Rec. tb
be