The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-02-13
PRODUCED THE EVIDENCE.
WerAs Failed. but When the Bottle Cam.
Forth All Doubts Disappeared.

the harvester gathered and stored
away In the great barn Of eternity, was
one Of Arkansas first circuit riiers of
the law. There were only two circuits
In the state. and the Lighthouses ia
which the grand and petit juries as
senbled, were often weeks journey
apart. The natives were all anxious
TO see q judge, believing him to be a
man Of great stature and intellect, from
which but few scraps of information
were kept hidden. Mc'real was rather
Q small man with notified 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 and finally came upon a
small cabin built Of round logs. He was
in the act OF drawing long breath,
preparatory to u lusty ..helloa," when
he was startled by the swelling notes of
q hymn which suddenly arose. Nothing
more quickly revives the memory OF
sacred teachings than song Of religious
| praise bursting upon an unexpectant
ear, and tho Judge being a man of Or
thodox faith, was thankful that in such
a wild place he had found men who
were endeavoring to walk in the foot
steps Of Peter and Paul. When he en-
tered the congregation stopped singing
and looked at hiTa. The preacher, who
stood with his elbows resting on q tall
slab bench, gazed at him intently and
said:
Thar seems to be O disturbin' sls.
ment in the TO d. Stranger, whut mout
be your bus 'nessp"
The Judge. who was embarrassed to
see that his presence had wrought such
change, replied that having lost his
way he had come upon the house, and
finding that religious services were be-
ing held, had entered. glad of an OBJ.
portunity to indulge his appetite Of
worship
ave halter be mighty keerful, pod
ner." rejoined the preacher. ''You
mout be Q true seeker airter the straight
an narrow ath, but then agin, you
moutent. To tell you the truth-an'
Its one of my habits to be plain-I
don't like the way you've got yourself
rugged up. We don't put on no style
out here, an we don't see why an hon
est man aughter put on them sorter
duds. What might be your business,
podnerp"
II am the newly appointed Judge of
this circuit"
The preacher and the congregation
laughed. The idea Of such small man
being q Judge was inconsistent with
the peoples preconceived estimate Of
such dignitary.
"Look here, podner," said the
preacher. throwing one leg over the
bench, putting one hand under his
chin, and showing out his whiskers I'M
til they pointed at the Judge, 1--WE ain I
all professors Of larnin'. an 1t mout
take us some time to cal'clate q eclipse
o the sun, moon an stars, but tharfs O
right smart sprinklin' O. boss sense
'mGngst US, A Judge, shp"
Pulling back his whiskers, the
preacher discharged mouthful of
Gambler" and nodded at the Judge as
though he would clinch his last re-
mark.
Gentlemen, you are of course enti-
tied to your own opinions" said the
iurist, but we will waive all that aside.
Please proceed with your devotional ex-
ercises."
NO" replied the preacher. 1--WE are
about through now"
~ hope that my presence has not
caused you to give up performance SO
laudable,"
"Talks like q Judge. dinged If he
don't" said q red-headed deacon,
slowly shaking his head, as though
ynySiSr hnfN Inn s~n ~
disbelief, and conviction that the
Judge had spoken the truth.
"Yas, replied the preacher, "but
talk Is easy. Ef was to slick up O
little an 60 into q strange neighbor-
hood an give the folks a few lines Of
; my best conversation, why they'd
think that had writ 'rithnetic or
been speaker Of the legislator.
Although the judges pride to some
extent suffered, yet the incredulity Of
the congregation amused him. par
son." no said, "we will not discuss the
question of whether or not / am q
Judge, for, on an occasion Of this kind,
1t really makes no difference How is
1t. my good friend, that l see no women
In the congregation"
Because thar amt none here, I
reckon" rejoined the preacher.
Eyes. very likely that is one OF the
reasons"
can another reason" continued
the preacher, sis because they didn't
come"
This logic was so convincing that
the congregation laughed.
"Why did they not Gomez" asked
the Judge.
"Wall, they had to stay at home an
take keer Of the chillun. The wimmin
folks don't need no preachin', for.
bless 'em. they are good enough with
out it"
well, gentlemen, as services are
closed for to-day, do not think there
would be any improperly In taking
something to drink. Ihave some ex-
cellent stuff here" continued the Judge
taking out bottle.
"1ll jipe you," said the preacher,
throwing out guild of tobacco. Turn
ing up the bottle. he took a lingering
..Pull" and said:
"Ah, boys, blamed II don't believe
he is judge"
Turning up the bottle again, and
|
down, he wiped his mouth on his coat
sleeve, and declared: "Boys, blamed
II I don't know it."
"Pass the evidence this way" said
the deacon. 'Ahl'-after q protract-
cd upward gaze--''he's got the proof
All that want to be satisfied Jest come
up to the mourners' bench. Nobody but
. Judge could tote this sorter licker."
| The entire congregation becoming
repentent, crowded around the mourn
ers' bench; and. as a hymn broke forth
the Judge was lifted from the floor and
borne upon the shoulders Of the ardent
worshipers. All the boys assisted in
finding the blazed trail. "Never since
that time" said the judge in speaking
of the event. shave ! found o church
where was held In such high esteem"
--ArkdnsGw Traveller.
why He Wanted o Piano.
One of the leading citizens Of Dakota