McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1883-12-20
The Old Lady Wins.

ing though very old farm house, with
comfortable barns and outbuildings in
dicating a well-to. do householder. The
rich bottom lands which stretched away
a half-mile from the river to the hill
slopes, covered with abundant birch
and maple, were luxuriant with grain
and corn.
That evening, when we were sitting
in the library, after dinner, smoking
and chatting, l asked the Judge: "To
whom does that farm we passed on the
level belong?''
The Judge IS not and never was on
the bench. Yet long as L had known
him, and that was long time, he had
been called the "Judge" by all the
country people, because it was an es-
tablisehd fact of ancient date that he
decided most of the disputes and differ
ences, commercial and social, which
arose in that part of the county. 1t IS
frequently the case, as here, that one
man in a scattered community is the
recognized advisor to whom people can
90. My old friend had inherited this
position from his father, who had been
to a former generation what the son
now was to his neighbors. They came
to him on ali occasions when they
needed counsel, and he did the work of
a half dozen lawyers. No one had died
or could die comfortably and leave
property, unless his will had been drawn |
by s'Judge -" He had the perfect
confidence of all. Living from youth
up among them, known to be a man of |
extended education, whose life was
passed In study, but who was also Il
practical farmer of great skill and sue
cess, having large property, and always |
giving his advice and services as mat
ter of friendship and neighborly kind
ness, and not for fee or reward, his pO-
sition was one of commanding inhu-
ence. His influence was commanding,
too, for the reason that he almost never
exerted it. He took no prominent part |
in politics, but in the old times, before |
the war, there were at least 200 voters |
in the town, and many more in the
county, who could give no other reason |
for their votes than this, that they voted |
as the judge voted.
l have said that he drew the wills for
people who had property. This was no
small generosity, for it involved much
time and other great inconvenience.
But the judge was an essential part of
the social structure in that town, and |
quietly performed what he regarded as
the duty and pleasure of his position.
When [ asked him who was the own
err of that farm he laughed outright. and
after moments pause, said: 81 will
tell you story"
zone stormy winter night, after mid
night, l was sitting here reading, the
rest of the family having gone to sleep,
when old DR.. Strong Numbered at the
door-knocker, and made noise enough
to wake the Seven Sleepers. 1t is way
he has, and neither my wife nor the
girls, were aroused out of slumber, nor
[ myself, had any question whatever
who was at the door. | let him in
myself, and a tempest of wind and
snow with him. The blast that drove
him into my arms also put out the hall
lights, .whirled into the library and
Jared the reading lamp so that it broke
5he chimney and blazed up to the col
bred tissue paper affair which Susie had
put over the shade, set it on fire, and for
a moment threatened a general conia-
grafton of papers and books on the Ia
Ole. SHUT the door yourself, shouted
and rushed back here to put out the
fire. That done [ went back and found
Jhe old doctor out of breath, in the
lark, trying to shut the door against
,he wind. 1t took the strength OF both
IF us t. do it. Then [ told him to find
MS way to the library, for he knew. it,
md | went off in search of another
amp.
ssWhen / came back he was Just re-
covering his wind, and after gasp or
5wo told me his errand. 'Old Mrs. Nor
on is dying. She can't live till morn
ng. She's alive now only on stimu-
ants. She wants to make a will and |
nave come for you
ga nice night l said, for q two
nile drive, to make will for a woman
who hasn't cent in the world to leave
Why didn't you tell her so and have
lone with it?'
"Now, look here,' said the doctor,
this is the case of an old woman and an
I'D neighbor and a friend, and she
wants you to do something for her, and
7ou'll do it, If it's only to comfort her
asst hours. Get your things and come
With me. We shall not find her alive if
you don't hurry, and you'll be sorry if
hat happens
"The upshot of it was that went.
We had fearful drive out to the farm
house on the flat, which you are asking
John Norton, who had died forty odd
ears before this. John Norton, when
lie married her, was widower, with
,Be son, John. He was a man of con-
iderable property, and when he died
eft widow, that son John by his first
wife, and two sons by his second wife. I
i IL L l.,-o-