Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-01-08
MAJOR JOHN BRINDON.


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.
Arkansaw had been q state some ten
years when became one other 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 to
make living if nothing else. Knowing
nothing of the state, had no particular
point in view, but mounted on 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 Mt large double
log house. The surroundings spoke
of refinement. The yard was perfect
wilderness of shrubs and flowers, and
the fields lying adjacent bore evidences
of fine state of cultivation.
''Get down, sir; get down." said u
polite old gentleman, coming out to the
fence. Here, Abr@n, take the gentle
mans horse. Come in and have n
seat"
The room into which he ushered me
was large and comfortable. The furni-
ture was old fashioned, and rs i held
out my hands to the blaze, wondered
how the great old brass andirons had
escaped the cannon moulder in the ear
" days of the American revolution. My
host, soon learned, was Judge Blake,
an eminent jurist of that day. When l
Al. 4 4. Al. II L. sx.s.
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 country like this. The abil-
ity that would often GO unrecognized in
an older state, many times meets with
brilliant success in n country where ora
tory has 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 pleasant mid
dle-aged lady and girl of surprising
loneliness.
"Mr. 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 10 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
fascination. She would occasionally
steal glance ut me, and my eyes, fall
ing, would rest on the cold roast of
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 q bet
ter place than this Our county seat Is
about four miles from here. 1t is not
much of a village, but its legal business
is large. The letters of recommends
ton which you have shown me-
''will admit you into the best society.
The one from Judge King should be
treasured as 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
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, | thought. The
business houses were small, and seemed
TO be filled up with the skins of ami
mails. l decided to locate. Offices wert
few, but after much persuasion, fount
room with the county clerk. A board
ing-house was the next question. Thu
was even more difficult than finding al
Office.
Young man." said the judge, 81
YOU don't mind the distance, you cal
board at my house and ride in every
day."
Twas delighted, and shook the judg'
with tight grasp of gratitude.
was anxious to know what Jassa
mine would think, whether or not sh,
would like the idea of admitting board
er, and especially il she would like th
thought of my being the boarder. Tha
evening | found her alone in the sitting
room. Her face showed no surpris'
when / told her.
II hope you have no objections,
said i, disappointed.
ZIP Why should l have' Whateve
father does is right"
Don't you get very tired of livinl
here in the woodsp"
"Oh, suppose we all get tired livini
anywhere. It Is the mind rather tha
the abode that makes life agreeable"
"Then," said /, in an attempt at com
pliment, .'life should be agreeable t
you for you have moro mind-than-
more mind than"
"AbodeP" she Immediately sug
gested.
Finding that / could not finish til
sentence as had intended, droppe
It; and catching up handful Of littl
nothings, discussed them. While W
were talking, a footstep aroused Jassa
mine. and fancied she changed color
She went to the door and said "goo
evening"" in cordial voice. A ma
entered. She introduced him as ID
GRAY. did not like him. though
that he rather overdid the work {
smiling. Every time Jassamine said
word, he would turn to her and smile