The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-10-04
THE GIRLS CHOICE.

Judge Williams, one of the bes
known justices occupying the U. S. cir
cult bench, after listening to party O.
lawyers the other day, lighted his pipe
leaned back in a easy chair and said
"Gentlemen, your stories of courtshiI
and marriage are quite interesting and
romantic, but l believe that it is re-
served for me to tell you of a love af
fair which, 1 am inclined to think, will
teach you that the commonplace mar
riages of every day life are not worthy
of place in our most prosaic novels or
even our spirited conversations. Quite
a number of years ago, just after the
war was appointed judge of south
ern circuit. I attended 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 i'm
pressed me. One day, during an over
flow, crossed the river about % 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, and, as far as could
discern, the bosom of the water, did
not find road when Handed, and made
inquiry of the ferryman, who, in effect,
declared that he had never made
geography a study and that must take
care of myself. Of course intended
to abide by the extremity of such adj
vice, and after thanking my "water-side
character" for information which, to
say the least, was self apparent, 1
turned, knew not where, and began q
solitary journey through the woods. 1
had not gone far when l came upon
large log house, surrounded by we'll
kept fence and almost covered by
thick growth of wild vines. l was as
sailed at the gate by an army of dogs.
Their fury brought out an old man who
drove them away and in a voice of
touching kindness asked me what 1
wanted. l explained my misfortunes
attendant upon high water; that l was
a Federal Judge endeavoring to reach
the appointment. He very cordially
invited me into the house,"
ga ledge ur constable is welcome
at my house at SIGH time as this" he
said, throwing more wood on the fire.
"I've been cotched out myself and l
know what it is. So you are jedgeP"
"Yes, am Judge, holding the Of
fee under the United States govern
ment.'
"That means you amt state
edgep"
eyes"
,'Wall, it don't make any difference.
wouldn't help state jedge no quicker
than 1 would you. Myra, see if there
s anything to eat in the house."
1 looked up, and the girl to whom he
spoke stood near me. She moved away
Immediately after being addressed, but
not so soon that failed to note the ex-
IRENE beauty of her face. saw her
wealth of bright, MISUNDERSTANDING
hair, her glorious depth of eye, her
ruddy fall-of-the-year cheek and rasp-
berry mouth. She seemed to pay no
attention to me, but obeyed without
hesitation. Presently she reappeared
and announced that there was some
thing to eat in the house and that it was
spread on the table.
"Come," he said, and conducted me
to the dining-room. Although l was
very hungry, yet l think that my APP
petite could have been satisfied by al
lowing my eyes to feast on the beauti-
full girl who attended tire repast. The
spare-ribs and backbone and mashed
potatoes were excellent, 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
had gone in and taken position before
the fire, "hand around the pipes"
The pipes were brought in and filled
with natural leaf tobacco. We pulled
and pulled and talked and puffed. 1
told my experience and the old man
told his. 1 had been captain under
Uncle Sam. Jefferson Davis had made
him a colonel. The old man had no
family except Myra, his daughter. He
seemed as devoted to her, and quite as
much dependent upon her as Mr.. Wick
lift was upon Agnes. L had been so
much interested in the conversation,
and especially with the occasional
glance cast at Myra, that 1 did not
think to ask the old man his name I'M
til just about the time we were ready
to go to bed.
"My name is Jassmire," he said; al
was wonderin' eff you was ever goin to |
ask me, an hanged eff I'd told you eff
you hadn't. Hope you'll sleep WE'LL"
l babe him cordial good night, and
with one more glance at the beautiful
girl. l followed the negro boy, who APP
peared with lighted candle.
1 scarcely remembered any of the con-
Versation of the next morning. 1 know
hat saw beautiful face, that sat
down when the little elfin hand drew
out chair, that heard the music of a
sweet voice, and when 1 left looked
nto pair of eyes, direct in earnest
less. don't know how l told the old
nan good by. 1 don't know that l
banked him for his kindness, even af-
er he refused to accept pay. l don't
now how mounted nv horse. whether