Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-01-22
MAJOR JOHN BRTNDON.

Arkansaw Historical society, was re-
quested to read a paper relative to the
days of the code within the memory of
men now living. The major cheerfully
responded in the following.
Arkansaw had been a state some ten
years when ! became one other citizens.
/ was very ambitious young man. De-
voted study had failed to win for me a
name of any distinction in the east, so,
in this wild country, was determined to
make living if nothing else. knowing
nothing of the state, had no particular
point in view, but mounted on a good
horse, / struck out for some place to
suit my fancy. One evening, when the
winters sun. losing his glare just above
the tree tops. sank down like a ball of
dull fire, stopped at large double
log house. The surroundings spoke
Of refinement. The yard was a perfect
wilderness of shrubs and flowers, and
the fields lying adjacent bore evidences
of fine state of cultivation.
Get down, sir; get down" said a
polite old gentleman, coming out to the
fence. .Here, Abram, take the gentle
mans horse Come in and have a
seat -
The room into which he ushered me
was large and comfortable. The furni-
ture was old fashioned, and as held
out my hands to the blaze, l wondered
how the great old brass andirons had
escaped the cannon mJuldcr in the ear
" days Of the American revolution. Ny
host, | soon learned, was Judge Blake,
an eminent iurist of that day. When
told him that | had come to practice
law. his face beamed with pleasure.
young and ambitious, OF course, ="
said he "Well shall not discourage
you. We have need of youth and am
bition in a country like this. The abil-
ity that would often go unrecognized in
an older state, many times meets with
brilliant success in acountry where ora
tory has peculiar charm ard where
logic, although an audience may be I'M
educated, finds IN appreciatiye convic-
ton. Let me Introduce my wife and
daughter.
arose and bowed to a pleasant mid
dle-aged lady and girl of surprising
loyelness.
"Mr. Brindon viii remain over night
with us, said the Judge. "Houses are
scarce in this section, my dear sir, y
turning to me. my wife brings the
welcome news that supper is ready
welcome news indeed to me, for have,
as no doubt has been the case with
you, ridden several miles to day.
Come.
At the table, the young lady whom
they called Jassamine, sat opposite me.
/ had ample opportunity for studying
her face, at first Il pleasure and then a
fascination. She would occasionally
steal a glance at me, and my eyes, fall
ing, would rest on the cold roast OF a
bear into which my appetite, despite
my admiration, was making something
OF an incision. After supper we sat
around the log fire louna j- pt
to be proud and wen educated. though
She did not affect that superintendent
which prompts SO many Young people
to despise their surroundin-.
If you are going to pra ae law,
said the Judge, II don know Of a bet
ter place than this Our county seal rs
about four miles from here. Ii is not
much of a village, but it, legal business
is large The letters of recommends
ton which you have shown me-
which | had shown too ratherproudly
"wiIl admit You into the best soc ETY..
The one from Judge King should be
treasured rs precious document
am going to town tomorrow, and ii
You desire it, will assist you in To-
| eating.
l thanked him warmly. | fancied
Jassamine's eyes rested on me in APP
prevail