Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-01-24
THE GIRLS CHOICE.
How She Preferred a Fcrryman tC
Judge.

Judge.
Judge Mailman, one of the best
known justices occupying the United
States circuit bench, after listening to
a party of lawyers, the other day light
ed his pipe, leaned back in an easy
chair and said:
Gentlemen your stories of COurtship
and marriage are quite interesting and
romantic, but l believe that it is reserv-
ed for me to tell you of love affair
which, | am inclined to think, will
teach you that the commonplace mar
riage of every day life is not worthy of
place in our most prOSaic novels or
even our spirited conversation. Quite
a number of years ago, just after the
war. was appointed Judge of a south
ern circuit. | attended very strictly to
the discharge of my duty, and although
very fond of ladies' society, yet in my
rounds | met very few representatives
of the fair sex who in the least impress
ed me. One day, during Oil overflow, l
crossed the river about twenty-five
miles away from my regular beat, and
the stream was so swollen that by the
time had landed, the sun had gone
down and darkness had spread itself
over the face of the earth, and so far as
] could discern, the bosom of the
water. | did not find road when |
landed, and | made enquiry of the
ferryman who, in effect, declared that
he had never made geography Il study
and that | must take care of myself.
OF course | intended to abide by the
extremity of such advice, and after
+o,, 10 Nh
for information which, to say the least,
was self-apparent, | turned, knew not
where, and began solitary journey
through the woods. / had not gone
far when [ came upon a large log house,
surrounded by well-kept fence and
almost covered by thick growth of
wild vines. | was assaulted at the gate
by an army Of dogs. Their fury brought
out an old man who drove them away
and in 4 voice of touching kindness
asked me what [ wanted. l explained
my misfOrtuneS attendant upon high
water; that | was federal Judge en-
deayoring to reach an appointment.
He very cordially invited me into the
house.
"A ledge ur a constable is welcome
at my house at SIGH time as this" he
said, throwing more wood on the fire.
I've been cotch out myself and | know
what it IS. So you are jedge?"
yes, | am a Judge, holding the Of
flee under the United States govern
ment.
THAT means you amt state jedge?"
Yes
''WalI, it doan't make no difference,
l won dn't help state doe no quick
cr than l wcuId you Myra, see ef
thar's anything to eat in the house.
Il looked up and the girl to whom he
spoke stood near mo. She moved
away Immediately after being address
ed, but not so soon that I failed to note
the extreme beauty of her face [ saw
her wealth Of bright, Notwithstanding
hair, her glorious depth of eye, her
ruddy fall-Of-thp-vear cheek and rasp-
berry mouth. She seemed to pay no
attention to me but obeyed wi, hout
hesitation. Presently she reappeared
and announced that there was some
thing 10 eat in the house and that it
was spread on the table
Come" he said, and conducted me
to the dining-room. Although | was
very hungry, vet think that my appe-
tite could have been satisfied V al owing
my eyes TO feast on the beautiful GIRL
who attended the repast. The spare
ribs and backbone and mashed pota-
toes were excellent, l admit, but that
magnificent face which bent above it
all, far exceeded any banquet that /
had ever seen.
'Myra, said the old man, after we
"a -, Il
the fire, ''hand around the pipes
The pipes were brought and filed
with natural-leaf tobacco. We ruffed
and pulled and talked and pulled. |
told my experience and the old man
told his. l had been a captain under
Uncle Sam, Jefferson Davis had made
him colonel. The old man had no
tami Y except Myra, his daughter. He
seemed as devoted to her, and quite
as much dependent upon her as Mr.
Wicktield was upon Agnes | had
been so much inter sted IN the CONVEX
sation, and especial with the OCCASION
al chances cast at Myra, that | did not
think 10 ask the old man his name I'M
til just about the time we were ready
to 90 to bed.
My name is Jassmire," he said, i
was wonderin eff you was ever goin' to
ask me, an hanged eff Id er told you
eff you hadn't. Hope you'll sleep well. !"
| babe him cordial goodnight, and
with one more glance at the beautiful
girl, | followed the negro boy wno ap-
peared with a candle.
| scarcely rem, mber any of the con-
yersalion OF the next morning. know
that | saw beautiful face, that | sat
down when an elfin little hand drew
out chair, that | heard the mu SIC of a
sweet voice, and when / left l looked
into pair of ewes, direct in earnest
ness. don't know how I o d the CID
man goo bye. don't KIN, w tnat |
thanked him for his k...si.i=ss, even