Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-01-27
DRY AND WET WOOD.

In the year 1923, says the author of Beoch
and Bar, in the Buffalo Courier, Reuber Il.
Wentworth, then one of the Circuit Judges,
was appointed Chancellor Of the State. Esek
Cowen, then an eminent and successful MEM
Der of the Saratoga bar, was appointed Cir
cult Judge in, his place.
He was once holding a circuit at Rome,
New York, when there came up One Of those
eiectment 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
precision 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 understand you
to say you are? s&1 -,
II am seventy-seven years old."
"Will you be good enough to tell me what
your habits have beenY d 70.
my habits have, I trust, been good and
quite regular. I have always been temperate,
have never INDUCED in the use of Intoxicating
drink, and I really think that should not
know the different kinds Of liquors by their
taste. have been in the habit of going to
bed early and getting up early. l. never
pambled, never went to but one horse.race in
my life-preferring campmeetings to that
kind of amusement, because was at home
there-never had lawsuit in my life; never
thought much of lawyers--always supposing
them to be set of fellows who, while saving
man hundred dollars, would be sure to
make hundred and fifty out Of the affair 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, cousin of the last witness. He also
gave his evidence with remarkable clearness
and intelligence. He, too was very old and
a very we'll preserved man, and the subject of
much interest to the judge. After the coun.
sci had dismissed the witness Cowen detained
him by inquiring his age.
II am seventy.nine years Of age" was the
"if you have no objections" said the judge,
II would like to ask you what your habits
have been through life 2"
"Well, judge, can't say that I have been
very much of q temperance man, but I've
been a pretty discriminating sort Of chap,
much more 80 than my cousin that's just been
sworn. can tell you all 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 smelling. To tell you the truth, judge,
there has hardly been day since was boy
that have not drank from FIVE to ten drinks
day. Half Of my days have never gone
to bed sober and never waited long after
getting up before I commenced getting on
steam, and regard a good square drink Of IL
ouor as the staff of life. have not been in
the habit of going to meeting, because / should
have to 20 without my drink too long. 1
never missed horse-race that / could get to,
because think q horse the, most glorious
thing that ever lived, and his speed one Of the
triumphs of life, and the man that can't ap-
preciate good square horserace can't enjoy
religion, for he hasn't brains enough. As for
lawyers, I think they are or par with min
listers; both would stop their CAB if they
didn't get their money for it. Finally, j think
and believe that if I get my drinks regular,
and keep up my usual habits, / shall live to
be- be- buIdred and thirty years old
"Weu, Mr.. Cady," said the judge, q can't
see eas itsmakss much difference with the kind
of wood yon jhays brought here, whether it is
wet or dry;i kas laated great many years,
and according taail accounts it will last
great many earslonger."
I6e The latest definition of lover is
man with whom one woman deceives another,
with whom she deceives herself, and whom
she deceives.