The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-12-24
TWO WAYS OF LIFE.
Contradictory Evidence About Longevit
4. Ia, u,

Contradictory Evidence About Longevity
In the year 1898, says the author of
"Bench and Bar" in the Buffalo COu-
rier, Reuben III. Walworth, then one of
the Circuit Judges, was appointed Chan
cellor of the State. Esek Cowen, then
an eminent and successful member of
the Saratoga bar, was appointed a Cir
cult Judge in his place.
He was once holding circuit at Rome,
n. Y, when there came up one of those
important ejectment suits that in those
days occupied so much time in the State
courts. During the trial witness by
the name OF Wood was called by one of
the parties. He was very old man,
but gave his evidence with singular pre-
cision and intelligence, and, withal, he
was an admirably preserved old man.
Judge Cowen, struck with the manner
and personal appearance OF this witness,
said to him, as he was about to leave the
stand
"Mr. Wood how old did L understand
you to say you are Z"
:" | am n years old p
"Will you be good enough to tell me
what your habits have been"
"My habits have, l trust, been
good and quite regular. / have
always been temperate, have never
indulged In the use of intOxi-
eating drink, and / really think that
/ should not know the different kinds of
liquors by their taste. [ have been in
the habit OF going to bed early. never
gambled, never went TO but one horse
race i'll my life-prefering camp-meetings
to that kind of amusement, because L was
at home there-never had IL lawsuitln my
lie, never thought much of lawyers
always supposing them to be set OF
fellows who, while saving o man hun
dred dollars, would be sure to make a
hundred and fifty dollars out of the af-
fair in some way before it was through
with, although / must confess that Mr..
Cady there amt quite as bad as the rest
of the lawyers"
The next witness called was also a
Mr.. Wood, n cousin Of the last witness.
He also gave his evidence with remark
able clearness and intelligence. He, too,
was very old and a very well preserved
man, and the subject of much interest
to the Judge. After the counsel had
dismissed the witness Cowen detained
him by inquiring his age.
am 70 years of age was the reply. ="
of you have no objection, ;" said the
Judge, 81 would like to ask you what
your habits have been through life z"
"Well, Judge, L can't say that
I've been very much of a tenn
perance man, but I've been a
pretty discriminating sort of a chap,
much more SO than my cousin that's
just been sworn. can tell youall kinds
of liquors by the smell; unless, as is
quite often the case, I've sampled too
much to be clear in my sense OF smell
ing. To tell you the truth, Judge, there
has hardly been a day since l was boy
that have not drank from five to ten
times day. Half of my days / have
never gone to bed sober; and never
waited long after getting up before L
commenced getting on steam, and | re-
gard good square drink of liquor as
the staff of life. have never been i'll
the habit OF going TO meeting, because
/ should have to go without my drink
too long. / never missed a horse-race
that | could get to because | think a
horse the most glorious animal that ever
lived, and his speed one of the triumphs
of life, and the man that can't appreciate
good square horse-race can't enjoy re-
ligion, for he hasn't brains enough. AS
for lawyers, L think they are on a par
with ministers-both would stop their
gab if they didn't get money for it.
Finally, think and believe that if get
my drinks regular, and keep up my
usual habits, l shal! live to be 13O years
old"
"Well, Mr.. Cady," said the Judge,
"I don't see as it makes much difference
with the kind of Wood you have brought
here, whether it is wet or dry; it has
lasted great many years, and according
to all accounts it will last great many
years longer"