Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-11
MAJOR JOHN BRINDON.

quested to read a paper relative to tn
days of the code within the memory O
men now living. The major cheerfull
responded in the following.
Arkansaw had been a state some tel
Years when l became one of her citizens
was 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, Twas determined t,
make living if nothing else. Knowing
nothing of the state, had no particula Al
point in view. but mounted on a goot
horse. struck out for some place te
suit my fancy. One evening, when tn.
winters sun, losing his glare just above
the tree tops, sank down like ball Of
dull fire, l stopped at a large double
log house. The surroundings spoke
of refinement. The yard was a perfec,
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 l held
out my hands to the blaze, / wondered
how the great old brass andirons had
escaped the cannon moulder in the ear
ly days of the American revolution. Nv
host, l soon learned, was Judge Blake.
an eminent jurist of that day. When
told him that l had come 10 practice
1au his foo hoo
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 a country where ora
tory has a peculiar charm and where
logic, although an audience may be un-
educated, finds an appreciative convic-
ton Let me introduce my wife and
daughter"
L arose and bowed to a pleasant mid
dle-aged lady and girl of surprising
loveliness
MIR. Brindon will remain over night
with us, said the Judge. Houses are
scarce in this section, my dear SIR"
turning to me. MY wife brings the
welcome news that supper is ready
welcome news indeed to me. for l 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.
l had ample opportunity for studying
her face, at first pleasure and then a
fascination. She would occasionally
steal glance at me, and my eyes, fall
ing, would rest on the cold roast of q
bear into which my appetite, despite
my admiration, was making something
OF an incision. After supper We sat
around the log fire. found Jassamine
TO be proud and well educated, though
she did not affect that superintendent
which prompts SO many young people
TO despise their surroundings.
If you are going to practice law"
said the judge, Il don't know of bet
ter place than this. Our county seat Is
about four miles from here. 1t is not
much of village, but its legal business
is large. The letters of recommends
ton 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
treasured as 4 precious document.
am going to town tomorrow, and il
you desire it, will assist you in To-
eating"
l thanked him warmly. / fancied
Jassamine's eyes rested on me in ap-
proval.
The village was indeed small, but, as
the judge said, there was afuture before |
it. There was evidently not much OF |
past behind it. The courthouse and |
Jail were log structures, very much |
alike in appearance 1 thought. The |
business houses were small, and seemed |
to be filled up with the skins of ami |
mails. / decided to locate. Offices were
few. but after much persuasion, found |
room with the county clerk. A board |
inghouse was the next question. This |
was even more difficult than finding an |
office.
Young man." said the Judge, 'if |
you don't mind the distance. you can |
board at my house and ride in every |
dav.''
Twas delighted, and shook the Judge |
with tight grasp of gratitude.
/ was anxious to know what JasSa- |
mine would think. whether or not she |
would like the idea of admitting board !
er, and especially if she would like the |
thought of my being the boarder. That |
evening found her alone in the sitting
room. Her face showed no surprise
when l told her.
Il hope You have no objections"
said l. disappointed.
Il? Why should l have? Whatever
father does is right
Don't You get very tired of living
here in the woods?n
.'Oh, suppose we all get tired living
anywhere. 1t is the mind rather than
the abode that makes life agreeable"
Then, said |. in an attempt at COM
pliment, life should be agreeable to
you for you have more mind-than-
more mind than"
..Abode?' she Immediately sug-
gested.
Finding that could not finish the
sentence as had intended, l dropped
it; and catching up handful of little
were talking. a footstep aroused Jassa-
mine, and l fancied she changed color.
She went to the door and said ..good
evening"" in a cordial voice. A man
entered She introduced him as DIR.
GRAY / did not like him. 1 thought
that he rather overdid the work of
smiling Every time Jassamine said a
word, he would turn to her and smile.
He did not smile at me but two or three
times, for / frowned at him. After
this he grinned at me in a cold. merci-
less way.
Have you been here long?' he
asked of me when Jassamine had left
the room.
Mo-
Sort of lawyer, eh?'
IL am a student Of the law"
al an, n hind ,t a dnctnr ~ said ha