The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-01-08
Two Ways Of Life.
CONTRADICTORY TESTIMONY ABOUT LON
GEv1TY.

CONTRADICTORY TESTIMONY ABOUT LON
GEvITY.
In the year 1928, says the author of
"Bench and Bar" in the Buffalo Courier,
Reuben II. Walworth, then one of the
Circuit Judges, was appointed Chancel-
lor of the State. Esek Cowen, then an
eminent and successful member OF the
Saratoga bar, was appointed Circuit
Judge in his place.
He was once holding circuit at
Rome. New York, 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 We " old man, but gave his evil
dence with singular precision and intel
ligence. and, withal, he was an admir-
ably 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?'' ,,,
81 am seventy-seven years old.
evil YOU be good enough to tell me
what Your habits have been?'
my habits have, trust. been good
and quite regular. [ have always been
temperate, have never INDUCED in the
use of intoxicating drinks, and L really
think that I should not know The differ
ent kinds of liquors by their taste. l
have been in the habit of going to bed
early, and getting up early. / never
gambled. never went to but one horse
race in my l;fe, preferring camp meet
ings to that kind of amusement, because
[ was at home there; never had a law
suit in nv life. never thought much of
lawyers; always thought them to be a
set of-fellows who, while saving a man
hundred dollars, would be sure to
make hundred and fifty ont of the
affair in some way before il was through
with, although must confess that Mr..
Cady there amt quite so 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 remark
able clearness and intelligence. He, too,
was very old and very well pre-
served 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.
Il am seventy-nine years OF age
was the reply.
eff you have no objections" said the
Judge, 81 would like to ask you what
your habits have been through life"
"Well, Judge, l can't say that I've
been very much of a temperance man,
but I've been pretty discriminating
sort of chap-much more so than my
cousin who has just been sworn. l 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 a
day since I was boy that I 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 I regard good square
drink of liquor as the staff of life. /
have never been in the habit of going
to meeting, because l should have to
go without my drink too long. l never
missed Il horse-race that Icould get to,
because / think horse the most glori-
GUS animal that ever lived, and his
speed one of the triumphs of life; and
the man who can't appreciate good
square horse-race can't enjoy religion,
for he hasn't brains enough. AS for
lawyers, think they are on par with
ministers; both would stop their CAB if
they didn't get money for it. Finally,
think and believe that if I get my
drinks regular, and keep up my usual
habits, 1 shall live to be hundred and
thirty years old"
"Well, Mr.. Cady," said the Judge,
81 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 accord
ing to all accounts it will last great
many years longer"