The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-04-10
THE MAJORS STRATAGEM.


Arkansaw Historical society, was re-
quested to read paper relative to the
days of the code within the memory of
men now living. The major cheerfully
responded in the following:
Arkansas had been State some ten
years when l became one of her citizens.
was a very ambitious young man. De-
voted study had failed to win for me
name of any distinction in the East so,
in this wild country, | was determined
to get living if nothing else. Know
ing nothing of the State, | had no par
ticular 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. l stopped at large
double log house. The surroundings
spoke of refinement. The yard was
perfect wilderness of shrubs and flowers,
and the fields lying adjacent bore evil
dence 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 u scat"
The room into which he ushcred me
was large and comfortable. The furni-
ture was old fashioned, and as held out
my hand to the blaze, | wondered how
the great old brass andirons had escaped
the cannon molder in the early days Of
the American revolution. My host.
soon learned, was Judge Blake, an emf
nent jurist of that day. When told
him | 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 ambi-
ton in a country like this. The ability
that would often go unrecognized in an
older State, many times meets with bril-
liant success in country where oratory
has peculiar charm and where logic,
although an audience may be unedu-
Gated, finds an appeciative conviction.
Let me introduce my wife and daugh-
ter"
arose and bowed to a pleasant mid
dle-aged lady and girl of surprising
loneliness
"NIr. Brindon will remain over night
with us, said the Judge. "lIouses are
scarce in this section. My dear sir,
turning to me, ''my wife brings me 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 a pleasure and then a
fascination. She would occasionally
steal 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. l found Jassamine to be
proud and we'll educated, though she
did not affect that uper-relinement
which prompts so many young people to
despise their surroundings.
eff you are going to practice law, ~
said the judge, 81 don't know of bet
ter place than this. Our county seat is
about four miles from here. 1t is not
much of a village, but it, legal business
is large. The letters OF recommendation
which you have shown me which
had shown, too, rather proudly" will
admit you into the best society. The
one from Judge King should be treas
ured as precious document | am go
ing to town tomorrow, and if you de
sire it, will assist you in locating"
| thanked him warmly. | fancied
Jassamine's eyes rested on me in APP
proval.
The village was indeed small but, as
the Judge said, there was future before
it. There was evidently not much of a
past behind it. The court house and
Jail were Iog structures, very much alike
in appearance, | thought. The business
hou e5 were small, and seemed to be
Sled up with the skins of animals. |
decided TO locate. Offices were few, but
after much persuasion, | found room
with the county clerk. A boarding
house was the next question. This was
even more difficult than finding an Office
young man," said the Judge, off
you don't mind the distance, you can
board at my house and ride in every
day"
| was delighted, and shook the Judges
Aand with a tight grasp of gratitude.
| was anxious to know what JassaminC
would think, whether or not she would
like the idea of admitting a boarder, and
especially if she would like the thought
] found her alone in the sitting room,
Her face showed no surprise when told
her.
Il hope you have no objections" said
/, disappointed.
"Il Why should | have? Whatever
father does is right"
Don't you get very tired of living
here in the woods2"
son, | suppose we all get tired living
anywhere. 1t is the mind rather thar
the abode that makes life agreeable
"Then, said |, in an attempt at com
pliment, life should be agreeabl,
to you for you have more mind-than-
more mind than"
"Abode ?" she Immediately suggested
Finding that could not finish the sen
tence as had intended, dropped it
and catching up handful of little moth
ings, discussed them. While we wer
talking, a footstep aroused Jassamine
and | fancied she changed ecker. Sh
went to the door and said "good even
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