Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-07-02
A THRILLING INCIDENT.

In the winter of 1870 I had occasion
to go from Green Bay to Chicago on the
N. w. railway. At Oshkosh we were
joined by a delegation of lawyers on
their way to Madison, the capital, to at
tend the Legislature, then in session.
They were all men of more than usual
intellect, and of exceptional character.
Two were ex-Judges of the Circuit Court,
and one had seen Chairman of the
Young Mems Christian Association.
The party found seats near together,
and alter the salutations were over and
the news duly discussed they began to
look about for means to while away the
time. After awh:.. some one proposed
game of cards. No sooner said than
done. Two seats were turned apart SO
as to face each other, q cushion mprov-
ised for table, and three Of our law
yers, including the Chairman Of the
Young Mems Christian Association, and
q Chicago runner, on good terms with
them, were soon deep in the mysteries
OF game of eucher.
I was surprised to see Christian gen.
nemen and Judges of law and equity,
leaders OF society, makers of public SEN
timent, lawgivers for great State, di-
rectors Of public morals, supposed to be
public exemplars of all that is good and
guides to the young, thus setting pub
icly their seal of approval to a most
dangerous and evil practice. To be
sure they played for stakes no higher
than the cigars for the party. But it
seems to me that, in the eyes of all dis
Greet persons, this does not change the
act nor lessen the danger of its example,
but rather heightens it; as from the
less to the greater is the invariable
course of crime. But [ did not intend
to moralize on paper, but was about to
say that while l was filed with such
thoughts as these one of the party grew
Tired Of the game, and our remaining
Judge was invited to take his place.
saw the blood mount in an honest blush
of disapproval to his manly face, and he
hesitated and drew back. But the game
had become interesting and his excited
companions urged him. "Come, Judge,
take hand" they cried, "we can't go
on without you" So the Judge slowly
rose from his seat, inwardly condemning
the act as [ evidently saw, and stepping
forward took seat among the players
and the game went on.
had noticed an old lady in seat to
the rear of the players, who had got on
board at Menasha, believe. Gray and
bent with age, she had sat abashed, and,
with eyes closed, seemed asleep most OF
the time, until the train, stopping at
Oshkosh, took on board the company
of lawyers. She then underwent a
change, and became greatly interested
In the company, looking from one to the
other, as If she recognized them all, or
was trying to recall their faces. When
the game of cards was started she be-
came very restless, would hitch uneas-
ily about in her seat, take up the hem of
her faded apron and nervously bite the
threads. Once or twice I thought she
wiped her eyes under her "Shaker bon
net, but could not tell. She acted so
strangely, I became more inter-
ested in her than in the players, and
watched her closely. She got up after
time and tottered forward, holding on
to the seats rs she passed. She brushed
against Judge - in passing, but he
had become interested in the game and
Old not notice her. Reaching the water
tank at last, she drank cup of water,
and took seat near the door, with her
back to the players. But she did not
long remain there; rising again with
difficulty, she tottered back toward her
former seat, but reaching the players
she paused directly in front of them,
and, now greatly excited, threw back her
bonnet from her face and looked around
the company. Her action at once ar
rested their attention, and pausing in
their play they all looked up inquir-
ingly.
Gazing directly in the face Of Judge
--, she said in tremulous voice, "Do
you know me, Judge -"
MNo. mother. don't remember YOU"