The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-06-16
Anecdotes of United States Su.
preme Court Judge.

the California legislature CHe meulOeT7
were little else than walking arsenals
Two-thirds of them carried eithel
bowie-knives or pistols. Some flour
ished both weapons. When a member
entered the house he unstrapped his
revolvers and laid them on his desk
It was done with as little concern a
hanging up a hat, and it excited neither
surprise nor comment. There was 8
bot debate over the proposed impeach
ment of Judge Turner. At the con
clusion of Mr.. Fields argument, B. F
Moore, of Tuolumne, arose to reply
He opened his drawer, cooked his re.
volvers, and laid them on his desk,
Then he launched himself on sea o1
vitupera ion. Mr.. Field was handled
without gloves. The most offensive
epithets were used, and the speaker
openly declared himself responsible fol-
his language at any time or place. Mr..
Field answered Mr.. Moore's arguments,
remarks. After the adjournment. how
ever, he asked S. A. Merritt to bear q
note to Mr.. Moore, demanding an
apology or satisfaction. MIR. Merritt
refused, through fear of being disquali-
fed for office. Mr.. Richardson, another
member, also declined. Happening
into the senate chant Der, the jurist saw
a stonecutter seated at desk. writing.
He was David G. Broderick, president
of the State senate. They were bow
ing gacquaintances. "Why, judge, you
don't look WELL" said Broderick.
whats the matterp"
"Well. I don't feel WELL" Field re-
in the world"
"What worries you?" inquired the
tonecutter.
The jurist gave the particulars OF
Moore's assault upon his character. and
said that, at all hazards, he was deter
mined to call him to account.
"Well. III be your friend, Broderick
replied. "Write your note; I will de-
liver it.
The jurist wrote thenote at an adjoin-
| ing desk, and Broderick placed it in
Moore's hands. The latter gentleman
crawfshed. He said that he expected
to be a candidate for Congress, and that
he could not accept challenge. because
that act would disqualify him. II
have no objection to street fight, how
ever" he added. The stonecutter re-
piled that street hight wss not exactly
| the thing among gentlemen, but If
Moore would do no better he should be
accommodated. He then named time
and place. and Moore promised to be on
hand. Within an hour, however, he
changed his mind. He informed Bro
derrick that the Hon. Drury Baldwin
would act as his friend. and deliver a
reply to the note of Mr.. Field.
On the next morning the stonecutter
tested the jurist's skill in the use of q
pistol. With a navy revolver Field
pumped knot on tree at distance
of thirty wards three times out of five.
Broderick expressed his satisfaction,
and urged the necessity of bringing the
matter to speedy issue: Bring it to
an issue at once," Mr.. Field responded.
Broderick quickly called upon Drury
Baldwin. and asked for a reply to the
note. Baldwin replied that his rrinci-
pal mad made up his mind to drop the
matter. Then" said the slonecutter,
"as soon as the house meets, Mr.: Field
will rise in his seat and repeat Moore's
language rs to his responsibility. He
will state that respect for the dignity of
the house prevented him from replying
to the attack in the terms that it de-
served when it was made, and, after de-
failing Moore's refusal to give him sat
isfaction, he will denounce him as a
liar and a coward"
"Then," said Drury Baldwin, Judge
Field will be shot in his seat"
I'm that case," rejoined Broderick,
"others will be shot in their seats"
At the opening OF the house, Mr..
Field took his seat ut his desk as usual.
Broderick was seated near him, with
eight or nine personal friends, all armed
to the teeth and ready for any emer-
gency. When the journal was read
both Field and Moore sprang to their
feet, and shouted, "Mr. Speaker!'
That officer recognized "the gentleman
from Tuolumne," and Mr.. Field re-
sumed his seat. Moore read a written
apology, tull, ample and satisfactory.
Broderick afterward befriended Mr..
Field on many occasions. They were
standing at the bar of hotel in San
Francisco in 1862, when Broderick saw
a man throw back his Spanish cloak
and level revolver at his friend. In
twinkling he flung himself between
the two men, and pushed Field out ol
the room. The prompt action undoubt-
edly saved his life.-BoStora Herald.
A Rat Put to Flight by SparrOws,
In the frieze and corniccs OF the
Boody house innumerable sparrows
have made their abodes. They have
all the appearance of enjoying a sense
of exclusive proprietorship, such as the
ancient crows and DAVIS seem to assert
over the ancestral trees in which they
have their century-old h..hiiations. A
few mornings ago 4 largo rat was OBJ
served perched on the coping which
runs along the front Of the house just
above the first story. Presently he at
tracted the notice of few sparrcws
who set UP most vivacious twittering
as if in excited consultation: Some
flew away, soon returning with others
until quite force was marshaled
when they pounced upon the rat with
great vigor, pursued him along the
front of tie house, and drove him out o
crannies and crevices where he crouchet
tor refuge, until the rodent, solely
beset, succeeded in making his escape
by a partly-opened window into tht
house. Being satisfied, apparently
with the expulsion of the intruder, the
birds exchanged few congratulatory
twitters and resumed their usual voca
tions.-Toledo (Ohio) Blade.
Intermarriage Inducing Stammering
The frequency of stammering in tn
South of France is found, on investiga
ton, to equal twelve or thirteen case
in every 1000 of the population, Will
in the Eastern departments the proper
ton is only one to that number. 1t ha
been assumed that the defect was il
, | rnanu instancaa stimnlatad to aYOli