The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1872-12-18
ANECDOTES OF CHIEF JUSTICE MAR
tAH.t SHALL. 4es

Judge Marshalls simplicity of character
and observation-disclosures have been the theme of
number Of anecdotes. The one best known
is about his puzzle over the buggy and the
sapling. Turning aside one day to avoid one
of those awful mud-holes which abound in
Virginia country roads, the axle of his buggy
encountered a stout sapling. The sapling
was between the hub of the wheel and the
body of the buggy. Too big to bend down
and too supple to break, this sapling seemed
to the judge to be wholly unconquerable
What to do he knew not. He got down out of
the buggy the better to- apply hisgreat intellect
to the knotty subject and to study it thorough
ly up. While bordering vainly negro man
came along.
Uncle" said the CHIEF, Justice 81 wish
you would tell me about this sapling. I can't
get over it, and can't get around it, and /
don't want to stay here all day and miss court.
What do you think had better do?''
| The negro could not suppress broad but
silent grin. "Why, ole marster, said he 81
spec de bes' thing you kin do is to back yo'
buggy till you git elar of the saplin, den turn
de hade (head) of yo' boss, and den you kin
void de saplin' and go to cote slick as goose
greese.''
"Thank you-thank you kindly, uncle,
should never have thought of that in the world.
You are man of superior mind. There's a
half dollar for you." And the judge drove
joyfully off.
Another aneedote, illustrating the same
simple-mindedness ana easy good nature, has,
so far as ] am aware, never beenin print. 1t
is this When Judge Marshall lived in Rich
mond, his opposite neighbour was Colonel
/ Pickett, father of the Confederate general
George e. Pickett, of Gettysburg fame
Colonel Pickett was a man of wealth, lived
we'll and was not content unless everything
about his household bore the marks of good
living. His horses were his pride, and were
conspicuous everywhere for their splendid
appearance, being as sleek, fat and high spirit
ed as abundant food and excellent grooming
could make them. Judge MARSHALL horses,
ON the other hand, were VIGOROUSLY lean and
unkempt. Everybody but the Judge had long
remarked this. At last it was brought to his
notice, with the suggestion that his carriage
driver neglected the horses, sold much of
their food, and appropriated the money to his
own use, good deal Of it going, no doubt,
for liquor. +.iis
The,judge called him up without delay
"Dick, what is the reason Colonel Pickett
horses are in such splendid condition, while
mine are almost skeletons? am afraid you
neglect them, don't half curry them, and
don't half feed them.''
Dick, not expecting the attack was fairly
posed. He hemmed and hawed awhile till he
| could gather his negro wits about him, and
then said: +" Mars John, look at you, is you
fat ?"
"No," said the Judge" decidedly not.
"Well, look at old miss Mrs. MarshalD, is
she fat? %
mo"
"Den look at yo' horses-is dey fatq''
enc"
"Now den, you jes' look at Kunnle Pickett
He fat his ca'idge-driver fat, his horses fat
his dogs fatal fat. De troof is, Mars John,
fat run in the Pickett family and it don't run
in our'n. OATS a1l''
"Well," said the judge, after little refec-
ton, there is good deal in that. 1t never
occurred to me before" He turned back
into his study, and Dick was never troubled
any more.--LipptncoH' MogasSne