The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-04-05
The Judges Horse Trade.

second time" said the judge, cit was
thought by my friends that the zeal, If
not the ability, with which had labor
ed in his cause, deserved some recogni-
tion.
"I was young lawyer, with plenty
of unoccupled time, which, from purely
patriotic motives, L had devoted to the
enlightenment of my fellow citizens
from " the stump"
"I may not have ranked myself as
the equal of Patrick Henry; but, If l
felt any consciousness of inferiority, I
no doubt thought the explanation lay
In the advantage the great Virginian
had in point of epoch and occasion.
"The encomiums lavished on the
hero of New Orleans were not more
highly wrought than the anathemas 1
hurled at the head of Nicholas Biddle,
whom j facetiously christened "Old
Nick" and painted several shades
blacker than his namesake.
"The fat offices were all bestowed
upon the veterans so that when my
claims came to be pressed, there was
precious little left. There CHANGED how
ever to be vacant judgeship in one of
the back territories-a position either
overlooked In the general scramble, or
possessing no attractions to the ordinary
office. e.seeker and to this post my friends
succeeded in procuring my appointment.
81 had barely time, after receiving
my commisson, to reach the field of my
| judicial labors in season for the next
court. decided to make the journey
on horseback, and was within day of
my destination, when chance threw me
in company with very agreeable gen.
tleman travelling in the same direction.
"The strangers manner was grave,
but not in the least morose. His air
was so frank and affable that you felt at
home with him at once. There was no
distrustipg such man. He gave you
his confidence so freely that not to re-
turn it would have been sheer churlish-
ness.
"Before an hour had passed, Mr..
Wharne as he introduced himself, had
given me an outline of his past life and
present plans. He was an itinerant
clergyman, on his way to be mission
ary among the Indians, whom he hoped
to shame out of their ferocity by the
mere force of good example.
I" l felt it only fair, in return, to let
Mr.. Wharne know to whom he had un-
bosomed himself His air of Difference
on learning my official station was not
q little fiattering, and led MEL fear, into
saying rather more of myself than was
quite consistent with due regard for
modesty.
"Have you any acquaintance out
here 2' inquired Mr.. Wharne.
mo-" / replied
"How will the people know you're
the new judge then ?"
"Oh I've Old Hickory's commission
to show" 1 answered, "and there's no
disputing that.
"Sure enough" said Mr.. Wharne,
reflectively 4" 1 see my little joke was
very stupid"
"For some time the reverend gentle
man had been cycling my horse sharp
ly.
"That's likely nag of yours" he re-
marked at length.
"And yours is nice slouch," said, L
returning the compliment.
How would you like to exchange ?"
queried Mr., Wharne.
Snow, horse-trade always did pos
sess charm for me, and pricked up
my ears at the bare suggestion.
A second look at Mr.. Wharne's ami
NAL convinced me that an even swap
would be no bad bargain.
"One word led to another till we both
alighted, and each mounted the others
horse for trial.
swell, what do you say ?" asked Mr..
Wharne, when we had come to where the
road forked. 4" 1 must leave you here"
"Even or quits" ! answered
Done !" said Mr.. Wharne, after a
meditative pause.
"With warm exchange of good
wishes, we shook hands and parted.
had gone couple of miles perhaps,
when all at once it flashed upon me
that, in the excitement of the trade, Mr..
Wharne and myself had forgot to
change saddles and brides, and that to
my saddle, which Mr.. Wharne had rid
den off with, was buckled the portman-
teau which contained not only my sup
ply of clothing, but-most important of
all-Otd Hickory'S commission!
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