The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-12-15
THE GIRLS CHOICE.

uStlccS occupying me niteo StateS Gir- uit bench. after listening 10 party of lawyers, the othe, day, lighted his pipe, leaned back in an easy chair and said:
 t,entlemen. your stories of courtship and marriage are quite interesting and romantic, but believe that it is reserved for me 10 tell you of love affair which, am inclined to think, will teach you that the commonplace marriage of every day life is not worthy of place in our most prosaic novels or even our spirited con- versation. Quite number of years ago, 'ust after the war. l was appointed judge of d southern circuit. attended very strictly to the discharge of my duty, and although very fond of ladies society. yet m my rounds met very few representa- ;iyes of .he fair sex who m the least inn pressed me. One day, during an over flow, crossed the river about twenty five miles away from my regular beat, and the stream was so swollen that by the time 1 had landed. the sun had gone down and darkness had spread itself over the face of the earth, so iar IL could discern. and the bosom of the water. did not ind q road when landed, and made enquiry of the feryman who. Tn effect, declared that he had never made geogra- phy study and tha, must take care of myself. of eoursc intended 10 abide by the extremity of such advice, and after thanking my wa,er-side character for information which. to say the least, was self-apparent. l turned. knew no, where. and began solitary journey through the woods. had not gone far when came lpon large log house, surrounded by a well-kept fence and almos, covered by a :kiok growth oi wild vines. was assailed .t the gate by an army of dogs Their fury brought out an old man who drove them away and in voice of touching kindness asked me what wanted. lex plained my misforiunes attendant upon nigh water; that was federal judge |. He very cordially invited me into the house.
 \ ledge UT constable is welcome at my house at sich time as this" he said, throwing more wood on the ire live been cotch ou; myself and know wha, !, Is. Sc you are ledge: -
 ' h'es, l am a judge, holding the office ;ader the ni,ed States government
 Ina, means you am, a state ledgc 7
 les"
 Wall. Il doan't make no difference wouldn,, hep state ledge no quicker ;han would you. Myra. see ef thar $ anything 10 eA, in the house.
 = looked up and the girl to whom he spoke stood nearme. She moved away immediately after being addressed. but rot so soon that failed to note the extreme beauty of her face. l saw her wealth of bright. tirelight-retiecting hair, her glorious depth of eye. her ruddy fall. of-,he-year cheek and raspberry mouth She seemed to pay no attention to me bu, obeycd without hesitation. Presently she reappeared and announced that there was something to eat in the house anc iha, il was spread on the table.
 Come he said, and conducted me tt he dining-room. Although l was ver hungry. yet l think that my appetit, could have been satisfied by allowing m, eyes 10 feast on the beautiful girl wh, attended the repast. The spare-ribs ant backbone and mashed potatoes were ex eellent, admit, but that magnificen face which bent above 1t all far exceeded any banquet tha, had ever seen.
 'Myra." said the old man, after ws had gone in and taken position before ,h, ire. hand aroun' the pipes"
 The pipes were brought and filled witt na,ural-leaf tobacco. We puffed ant putfed and talked and puffed. told m, experience and the old man told his. had been a captain under Uncle Sam Jefferson Davis had made him a colonel The old man had TO family except Myra his daughter. He seemed as devoted |, her, and quite as much dependent upol her as Mir. Wick6eld was upon Agnes had been so much interested in tn, conversation, and especially with tn, occasional glances cast at Myra, that dia not think ;o ask the old man hi name until just about the time we wer, ready to go to bed.
 My name is jassmire," he said, :" va wenderin' ef you was ever go,n' to asl