The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-08-07
Naked Justice on a Gate Post.

Our old friend, Judge Tom Farrar, Of
Lake Providence, says the New Orleans
Picdylne, who is known throughout the
State as a lawyer and jurist of eminent
abilities, and gentleman of most Iowa
BILE character, tells at his own expense,
and with the keenest gusto, q story which
he thinks too good to lose. Itappears
that some years ago while riding through
one of the prettiest districts of North
Louisiana, he came about sundown, to
creek which was so deep as TO necessi-
tate swimming feat. The Judge, be-
ing a man of vigorous and invineible
determination, no sooner realized this
emergency than he promptly dismount-
ed, undreessed himself with great des-
patch, and, attired only in his high plug
hat and pair of spectacles, bestrode
his gallant cob and urged him to VEN
ture.
After a desperate struggle the other
side was gained, and the Judge again
dismounting, this time with profound
sigh of relief, was about to resume his
integuments, when the horse, prompted
by some diabolical spirit, started from
his side and trotted slowly down the
road.
OF course the Judge had no reeezgse
but to trot after him, and thereupon en-
sued one of the most remarkable and pic
turesque chases ever known in tradition.
The horse seemed to have no motive
save that of keeping a certain distance
ahead Of the Judge and finding some
comfortable barnyard where he might
refresh himself after such gigantic eff
forts. The Judge, whatever may have
been his ambitions, confined himself to
the effort of keeping, the truant beast in
sight. 1t must have been a cheerful and
invigorating experience to see the Judge
trotting briskly along that smooth and
sandy road, his venerable plug pulled
ever his eyes, and his spectacle bobbing
up and down upon his mis- nose. The
chase was long and the moisture of great
exertion would gather upon his brow,
and then, when he reached around for
his handkerchief, alas! It ~ not there.
All of which had the elect oi impress
ing the Judge with his very peculiar
and unfortunate situation, and impart-
ing renewed play and lightness TO his
legs.
So the two bowled pleasantly along
preserving a steady relative distance
until just as the setting sun was redden-
ing the distant hills and touching the
Judges manly form with gold, the
horse whisked into gate and bolted
with eager h"ste toward a stable dimly
visible in the distance.
The farm house sat in grove of trees
whose shadows made great darknes:
round it, and from this grove, as the
Judge was scampering furiously aftel
his horse and wardrobe, there issued
sundry yellow dogs, surly of mein and
shaggy of appearance. The Judge fel
that il would be utterly impossible, un
der these circumstances, to assume tina
majesty of aspect and fearlessness of gaz'
which is currently believed to be th'
correct thing with dogs, and so, seeing /;
friendly gate post near at hand, he CAV.
one wild bound and reached its SUNNI
just as the leanest and fercest of tn,
dogs snapped viciousiy at his legs.
When the uproar had subsidized, arc
the Judge, realizing the absurdity of tn
situation, had regained his customar,
frame of mind, a female voice was hearc
calling from the house.
who's there?"
"a fellow creature in distress, madam.
''Where are you?"
"On the gate post" said the Judge
beginning to enjoy the joke.
"What can do for your"
1t was too much. The Judges old hu
NOR and quizzical love of merrimen
came over him.
"Call off these dogs and bring me al
the fig leaves on the place"