The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-03-08
PLUM BRANDY.

possessing the highest order of legal a5;l- ity, relates quite an amusing story of himself in relation to the days when pow der smoke was plentiful and whisky devilish scarce"
 After the federal general Steele took possession of Little Rock. or rather sev- eral days before that even,ful time. Judge Compton removed his supreme bench business to Princeton, in south Arkansax. little town from whose quiet shades and whittled pine-boxes, he had come when his state called for learned man in the law to sit at the head of legal affairs.
 Princeton was not regularly occupied b, federal troops, not being a place of vital importance, and the judge, who was regarded as rebel, had to quietly glide away from home when scouting parties entered the precincts of his retreat. One day, as Compton and a man named Lee whlther they had been 10 refugee a party of negroes. they met fellow towns man who told them that 4 regiment of federal soldiers had just entered Pnnce- ton.
 can't go to town, said the judge to his companion, for am subject 10 cap ture and imprisonment, but you can go m without molesiaiion''
 Don't believe I'll risk it, Lee replied Believe I'll take my chances with you
 Well, we'd better turn of here in the woods and md some place where we can stay in safety until the troops leave.'
 They turned into a '' bridle path, and followed it until night came on. Pretty soon torrent of rain began to fall, and dripping wet, the refugees rode along in anything but comfortable manner. \ light, away off, glimmered through the trees, and they wen, in that di- reotion. After lnnumerabie difficult ties, riding over fallen tree laps and encounteriag saw briars, they reached d fence, surrounding . large double log house. \ loudly vociferated . hello a brough, man to the gate. The horsemen were invited to dismount and come Tn, which they los, no time in doing. Compton was acquainted with the host, MT. Mahan, and proceeded at once to make himself at home. Mahan built up a large fire and brought out a lot of dry clothes, odd of shape and lll-fitting ,whi, h the visitors put on. In those days, the judge did net carry about with him that front view of protuberenee which has since come to him together with other fortunes, and the short, full-bosomed trousers which he donned, and the high-water jacket. together with the ruffled garment which did no; particularly belong To gentle mans outtit, made him look comic al To d ludiorous extreme. Alter hearty sup per, and while Mahan was out looking after the horses, Lee said:
 Judge, suppose we ask him for a drink oi whisky
 No. ,ha, wouldn, be right, He, has done enough already. though l mus: Gc- knowledge that l ..ould not be slow in accepting such hospitality, for there have been few times in my lie when whisky would serve d good purpose. and thls Is one oi the tunes.
 ,h scarcer than any other natural curiosity fne army commissarlat had taken charge 0. every drop of lively juice tha, could be found, and the natives, those who could not dlsu.l by means of copper kettle and gun barrel. were forced ,o do without the much craved dance water.
 The nex, morning. whiic Lee was gone out to the stable. Mahan came into the room where the judge sat, bringing with him little square bottle and a small glass.
 Judge" he sad, :" I've got something here that I'll bet you don't know what II IS" setting the bottle and glass on the ,a- bic.
 That may be- replied the judge, throwing out chew of tobacco. but am of very inves,igative turn Of mind. ] He poured ou, drink. swallowed i, and said
 doni believe ds kno~ hat ii Is. sm.ching his lips. but don't ike 10 DC baiiled by little thing Ike this" and he ,oos ,..o.her drink. Jus: as he was sei;,ag down the glass, Lee entered Winkins a; hum ;he judge continued :. Lee heres something which our friend has dened me to identify. linus. -on- fess ,ha, don't know whA, It is.
 Lee saw the point A; once and rephed " le, me see. as am pretty go q q, soly- ins such questions" and taking up the