Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-01
PRODUCED THE EVIDENCE.
Words Failed. but When the Bottle Came
Forth All Doubts Disanneared


Words Failed. but When the Bottle Came
Forth All Doubts Disappeared.
Old Judge McTeal, whom years ago the
harvester gathered and stored away in
the great barn of eternity, says the ar
kansas IrdreieT, was one of Arkansas
first cirsuit-riders of the law. There were
only two circuits an the State, and the log
houses in which the grand and petit iuries
assembled were often a weeks journey
apart. The natives were all anxious to
see a Judge, believing him to be a man OF
great stature and intellect from which but
few scraps of information were kept hid
den. Nc Teal was rather small man,
with EOttled complexion and nose which
seemed to have caught the lingering rays
of an autumn sun.
One day while riding along toward Bent
Shank Courthouse, he lost the .'blazed
TRAIL wandered FOR time in the woods,
ana nnally came upon a small cabin built
of round logs. He was in the act of draw.
ing long breath, preparatory 10 a lusty
"heiIoa." when he was startled by the
swelling notes Of a hymn which suddenly
arose. Nothing more quickly reviVes the
memory Of sacred teachings than a song
Of religious praise bursting upon an un.
eXpectant ear, and the Judge, being a
man OF orthodox faith, was thankful that
in such a wild place he had found men
who were eudeavOriDg to walk in the foot
steps of Peter and Paul. When he en-
tered the congregation stopped singing
and looked at him. The preacher, who
stood with his elbows resting on a tall
slab bench, gazed at him intently and
said
char seen 5 to be a disturbin' element
IN the fold. Stranger, whut mOut be your
bus'ness?'
The Judge, who was embarrassed to see
that his presence had wrought such a
change. replied that having lost his way
he had come upon the house. and finding
that religious services were being held.
had entered, glad Of an opportunity to in
dulge his appetite for worship.
we halter be mighty keerful, pOdner,"
rejoined the preacher. you mOut be a
true seeker airter the straight an narrow
path, but then agin you moutent. To tell
you the truth-an' it's one O. my habits to
be plain-I don't like the way you've got
yourself rugged up. We don't put on no
honest man aughter put on them sOrter
buds. What might be your business.
pOdner?'
Il am the newly appointed Judge of
this circuit"
The preacher and the congregation
laughed. The idea Of such a small man
being Judge was inconsistent with the
peoples precOnceiyed estimate of such a
dignitary.
Look here, pOdner," said the preacher,
throwing one leg over the bench, putting
one hand under his chin and showing out
his whiskers until they pointed at the
Judge, 'we ai1't all professors o. larnin',
and 1t mout take US some time to caPclate
a oclIPse o. the sun, moon and stairs, but
thar's right smart sprinklin' o. boss
sense 'mungEt us. \ Judge, Ell ?"
Pulling back his whiskers, the preacher
discharged mouthful Of ''ambieI'' and
nodded at the Judge as though he would
clinch Ills last remark.
"Gentlemen, you are of course entitled
to your own opinions" said the jurist.
"but we will waive all that aside. Please
proceed with your devotional exercises"
Ne" replied the preacher, "we are
about through now"
Il hope that my presence has not caused
you to give up performance so lauda-
ble."
Talks like Judge, dinged if he don't"
said a red-headed deacon. slowly shaking
his head as though wayering between a
continuation Of disbelief and a conviction
that the Judge had spoken the truth.
IS" replied the preacher, ''but talk
Is easy. IF ! was to slick up little an
go into a strange neighbOrhoOd an give
the folks few lines o. my best cOnversa-
tion, wy they'd think that l had writ
arithmetic or been speaker O the legIs-
latUr."
Although the Judges pride to some eX-
tent suffered, yet the incredulity of the
congregation amused him. "Pars0n," he
said, I'VE Will not discuss the question of
whether or not am a Judge. for, on an
occasion of this kind it really makes no
difference. How Is it, my good friend,
that see no women in the congrega-
ton =
Because thar amt none here, l reck-
on rejOined the preacher.
y es. very likely that is one reason"
An anutheT reason continued the
preacher, lis becase thes didn't come"
This logic was SO convincing that the
laughed.
why did they not Gomez" asked the
Judge.
take kere o. the chillun. The Wimmen
folks don't need no preachin', fur, bless
EN-. they are good enough without it,
Nv ell, gentlemen, as services are closed /
Tor to-day, do not think that there would
be any improperly in taking little some !
~ TO drink. | have some excellent /
80, o~o continued the Judge, taking
~ ..I'll line YOU" said the preacher, throw
ny out iuid Of tobacco. turning uD
he bottle, he took lingering pull" and !
said;
"Ah, boys, blamed if don't believe he
is a Judge"
Turning up the bottle again and hesita-
ting some time before he took it down, he
wiped his mouth en- MS coat sleeve and
declared: Boys, blamed if l don't know
it."
pass the evidence this way" said the
deacon. "Ah"-atter a pr0tracted up
ward gaZe-'he'S got the proof. All that
want to be satisfied jest come up to the
mournprs' bench. Nobody but Jedge
could toat this sort O. licker."
The entire congregation, becoming re
pentant, crowded around the mOurners'
bench; and, as a hymn broke forth, the
judge was lifted from the floor and borne
on the shoulders Of the ardent worship
ers. All Of the brothers assisted him in
finding the blazed trail. "Neyer since
that time" said the Judge, in speaking OF
the event, ''have l found church where
was held in such high esteem"