Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-10
NO. 1872.
Miseellateons.
NAKED JUSTICE on A GATE.POsT.

Our old friend, Judge Tom Farrar of
Lake Providence, who is known thronob-
out the State as lawyer and jurist of
eminent abilities, and gentleman of
most lOvable character, tells at his own
expense, and with the keenest gusto. a
story which we think too good to lose.
1t appears that some years ago, while
riding through one of the prettiest dis
tricts OF north Louisiana, he came, about
sundown, to creek which was so deep
as to necessitate swimming feat. The
Judge beng man of vigorous and in
vlncible determination, no sooner realized
this emergency than he pr )mptly dis
mounted, undressed himself with great
dispatch. and attired only in his high plug
nat, and pair of spectacles, bestrode
his gallant cob and urged him 70 the ven
ture.
After desperate struggle the other
side was gained, and the judge again dis
mounting, this time with profound sigh
OF relief, was about to resume his integ-
uments, when the horse, prompted by
some diabolcal spirit, started from his
side and trotted slowly down the road.
Of course, the judge had no recourse
but to trot after him and thereupon there
ensued one of the most rem ,kable and
pictr 'esque chases ever known in history
or tie iition. The horse appeared to have
no motive save that of keeping a certain
distance ahead of the judge, and of find
ing some comfortable barRyard where he
might refresh himself after such gigantic
efforts. The judge whatever may have
been his ambitions, confined himself to
the effort of keeping the truant beast in
SIGHT. 1t must have been cheerful and
invigorating experience to see the Judge
trotting briskly along that smooth and
sardy road, his venerable plug hat pulled
over his eyes and his spectacles bobbing
up and down on his nose. The chase
was long and the moisture of great ex-
ertion would gather on his brow, and
wi EN- he reached around for his handker-
chief, alas! it was not there. All Of which
had the effect of impressing the judge
with his very peculiar and unfortunate
situation, and imparting renewed play and
lightness to his legs.
So the two bowled pleasantly along. pre-
serving steady relative distance, uutil
jr7t as the setting sun was redening the dis
tant hills and touching the judges manly
fo. m with gold, the horse whisked sudden
lyinto gate and bolted with eager haste
toward stable dimly visible in the dis
tance.
The farm oIse sat in grove of trees
whose S adow1 made great darkness
al ound it and from this grove, as tfe Judge
was scampering furiously after his horse
and wa irobe, there ssued sundry yellow
dogs, surly of miel and shaggy of appear
ance. The Judge felt that it would be ut
terly impossible under these circumstances
to assume that majesty of aspect and fear
lessness of gaze which is currently be-
leved to be the correct thing with dogs,
and so, seeing, friendly gate post at
hand, he gave one wild bound and reached
its summit just as the lea1tst and fiercest
of the dogs snapped viciously at his legs.
When the uproar had subsidized and the
judge realizing the absurdity of his situa-
ton, had regaincd his customary frame of
mind, female voice was heard calling
from the house,
who's ii ere 90
"A fellow creature in distress, madam"
''On the gate post" said the judge, be-
ginning to enjoy the joke.
"What can do for youp"
1t was too much. The judges old hui
NOR and quizzical love of merriment came
over him.
"Call off the dogs, and bring all the fig
leaves on the place"