New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-10-01
A RUSTY, FUsTY OLD CODGER.
A York State ADecdOte.


Shortly after the first Republican const
tuition Of the State of New York was framed
and the judiciary system was establishe
for civil departments. the Supreme COur
or that branch of it called the Circu
Court, was appointed for one Of the circuit
in the county Of Dutchess. and the eccentri
Judge Crane was 10 preside. Judge Gran
was very wealthy, and highly respects
for his public and private virtues, especiall
for his charitableness to the poor; but
always appeared in plain garb, and woul
hardly ever wear an oyercOat, whateve
the weather might be, and it was seldom
that he rode when he went abroad, although
he owned many valuable horses. On tn
morning of the day on which the court wa
10 begin, the Judge set out before day, an,
walked gently on, through rain and snow
to the place appointed. On arriving a
Poughkeepsie cold and wet, he walked I,
tavern, where he found the landlady ant
her servants making large preparations fol-
the entertainment of the judges, lawyers
and other gentlemen whom they expected
would attend the Circuit Court The judge
was determined to have some sport, and in
in pleasant tone addressed the landlady
Il 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 aud hungry.
want something to eat before the court be
gins"
The landlady put herself into a magis.
terial posture, and putting on a counte-
nance of contempt, said to the Judge: 'YOu
say you are wet and cold, dry and hot; how
can all that be -
mo, my dear madam" says the Judge: IL
said that / was wet and cold, and if YOU
had been out as long as have in this storm,
l think you would likewise be wet and cold.
l said l wanted something to drink and
cat"
But you have no money. YOU saw" re.
torted the landlady."
II told you the truth says the Judge
''the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
but were | as rich as Crpsus, l would be
willing to work for something to eat and
to drink"
"CrGsus, who fs Croesus p says the lady.
II never knew him, said the Judge, but
l have understood that he was very rich.
want something to eat and something to
drink, and were | as poor as Job in his ut
most calamity, and had my health and
strength as well as | now have, [ would
willingly 60 to work little while if could
only. get something TO drink and bit of
good victuals."
well, old daddy" says she, chow much
do you want to drink g.
Half q gill of brandy. madam" saws he.
very WE'LL" says she. Il will give you
half gill and some cold victuals if YOU will
go into the back yard and cut and split
three armtuls Of wood, and bring it into the
kitchen, where the servants want to make
a good fire to dry the gentlemen's great
coats when they come, and after you get
your victuals, shall want you to go away"
well, says she, "give me the brandy, and
Ill soon bring the wood
He drank the liquor. and walked quietly
into the wood yard, where he found a good
AK, and he soon laid by the kitchen fire the
proper quantity of wood-nameiy, his arms
three times full. When the landlady had
got his luncheon on the table. in hopes |
that he would eat and be off-.Now for the |
good bite OF victua!s, says the Judge.
There it is, said she, coldly
''And it is almost as cold as myself. but
not half so wet, for l see neither tea nor |
coffee nor Chocolate to wet it,
"Beggars must not be choosers,' she
said.
Il am not begging Of you. madam" said
be, but have paid the price demanded"
Il told YOU" said she. Il would give Won
,Old victuals, and there is cold boiled ham
,old pork and beef, cold potatoes and tnr,
lips, anu cold vinegar pickles, and soup.
Ind it you want anything hot there is mus
ard and pepper, and here is good bread.
GOOD butter and good cheese. and all GOOD
enough for such an old ragmutiin as YOU
re-"
lit is all very good, said he pleasantly.
nut, madam, be so good as to let Inc have
ONE new milk warm. right from the COW.
o wet these good victuals''
'Ihe cows are not MIXED SAYS she.
Then let me have bowl of cold milk ~
aid he.
Il will not send the servants in this storm
the spring house to skim it for YOU" said
he.
Said he, with pleasant smile, Dear
madam. have very good wife at home,
lder than you are who would 90 ont in q |
1orse storm than this, to milk the cows and
ring the milk to the poorest man on earth,
/ ms request, or TO bring the milk from the
prlng house, cream and all. without skim
ling. to feed the most abject Of the human
ace"
You have a very good wife a, home
avs she.
Indeed have" said he. land she keeps !
y ciolhes clean and whole, and notwith $
landing you call me an old ragmuffin'I q
m not ashamed to appear abroad in the !
othes wear IN any good company" =
wen, must confess" saws she. ..that I
hen you have your broad brimmed hat =
you look middling we'll, but want YOU J
eat ana DC on, for we want the fire to dry i
Re gentlemens great coats and umbrellas Y
!; ana among the rest. we expect Judge c
ldge Crane 7" -
"The circuit judge one of the supreme q
dyes, you old fool" =
Well Gays the Judge, II will bet a ..
'0se that Judge Crane has not had, and a.
IL not have, great coat on his back or an
nbrella over his head this day" L.
You old goose" said she. Il care NOTHING a. a.
+ your bets. Eat and be Off I tell vou' 4
dge Crane is to be here and we've no G
ON for you"
Il don't care" said he. lone rye straw n
IRE for Judge Crane than do for myself, Il
d it has got to be SO late that if he was in
come at this time OF the day he would f,
re likely 90 directly to the courthouse lie
stay until dinner time than 90 to any Il!
' ' and If business was very urgent, he 81
uid be very likely to stay away even
IN Dinner. / know something about the di
cOdger, and some people say he is a
ty, fusty, crusty old fudge"
Pretty talk, indeed saws the landlady, ic
,out the supreme Judge Now eat your an
check and be of, or be off without eat Sc
just as you please" sit
l tell you,' says the judge, Judge hi
ne is not the supreme Judge. and if he do
e he Is no more tit to be judge than l ju,
Wen, now be Off with YOURSELF said .g
1on't be in SO great a hurry" said he, tLi
u Il wish TO know who is the ca,
ioAu noio' WISH 10 know where he pei
ie is the high sheriff of the county, and DIS
t be home till night; but if he were
you would not stay long" oar
Veil, madam, give lis cup of cider IAN
ct my victuals, if you won't give me sull
for
OF 3 drop" says nor IaOvSnlp. s.
g judge, who had now got pretty well YOU