New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-14
STARKE 5OUYTY PHENOMENA.

of the most interesting men In public life, from
medico-legal point of view. We should speak
without reserve and say the most interesting
man. IL it wen not for his friend the constable
OF North Judsn. As to the comparative merits
Of these two, philosophers might reasonably diff
fer, and in tie absence Of important data The
Tribune viii not attempt TO award the palm.
Moreover, in such case discrimination is in
vidious. They are a noble pair, and it is we'll
nigh certain that men Of science might draw for
q year without getting three Of a kind.
Every now and then somebody wakes up in
the morning and finds himself famous but such
an experience is seldom enjoyed except after
long nights sleep, whereas one OF these North
Judson prodigies achieved fame after sleeping
only couple Of hours, and the other did not
90 to bed at all The circumstances under which
these astonishing feats were performed were
briefly these: For a considerable time past there
has been disagreement between the admirers
of Professor John McAuliffe and the admirers
OF Professor William Myer over the depth Of
their respective researches into the science OF
self-government. After many exhaustive but
unsatisfactory discussions IL was finally arranged
that forensic disputation, otherwise known as
n mill should come of ut the isolated but en-
gaging hamlet of North Judson, in the State of
Indiana The COMMITTEES on Invitations decided
that nobody should be allowed TO attend who
did not Enthusiastically belong TO the scientific
Four Hundred. The dispatches announce that
Just four hundred delegates were present, from
which il may be surmised that the pressure from
rank outsiders must have been enormous. The
train having arrived at North Judson, the four
hundred forthwith proceeded TO an adjacent habi-
tation 20 arrange the preliminaries. 1t was at
this picturesque and propitious moment thai the
sheriff appeared upon the scene. lie was clad
in white and at first glance was taken for an
animated flag OF truce and though he immediate
ly denied that his raiment was open TO such an
interpretation, subsequent events tend to confirm
the suspicion that his disclaimer was not
made in his official capacity. However that
may be. the sheriff advised the four
hundred 70 get back into the train
az once, and obligingly informed them that
there was a convenient siding about five miles
from the village. He then discussed esoteric
Buddhism for a few moments with couple OF
deleqntes 20 the convention who had been strangely
overlooked when the train started for the sid
ing. went 10 his home, announced with much
solemnity that he was sick, and sought his couch.
Al this stage in the proceedings. word having
been considerably sent 70 the four hundred on
the siding that the sheriff was sleeping too
soundIy 20 be disturbed by tho rumble OF train.
they returned 20 the village and renewed their
preparations for the convention; and the aecommo-
dations having been inspected and pronounced
satisfactory, the proceedings commenced az 6;SO
a. m, an unprecedentedly late hour to begin 8
debate The exordium was scarcely concluoeu
when the sheriff. having had miraculous resuscl-
tation, again appeared upon the scene. but nav
| ing intimated in soft and persuasive voice
that he was willing TO be convinced OF the radlcai
difference between smuggling and o sparrins
disputation, repaired 10 drugstore TO complete
| bis recovery. At this juncture the village con
stable arrived. and the situaton of affairs having
been explained TO him. he modesty confessed
that there were subjects on which he was not SO
vell-informed as he would like to be, and that
nothing would suit him better than to be en-
Hphtened as 20 tho distinction which had ius
been pointed out t. the sheriff. Instruction
ON this point was instilled into him with remark
able celebrity, whereupon he at once became TIL
most enthusiastic inspector Of the proceeding
thai the four hundred had ever condescended Il
| enroll as an honorary member. Indeed, HAVING
! made repeated expeditions 20 the drugstore u
nouire after the sherif's health, and HAVING
| found It steadily improving, he finally dismissed
all anxiety, and gave such vent TO his emouoh
as seemed nothing less than scandalous TO SOM
Of the more sober and discreet delegates. now
ever, they would have cheerfully condoned TIN
offence had not the constable constantly dis
tracted their attention by asserting that he KEEP
forgetting Just what his convictions were as U
the distinction lately pointed out to him. bu
that he remembered the arguments were stron
ones, and that the only safe way was to kee
on convincing him. 1t is said that when tn
debate was finally adjourned the constable ha
been convinced no fewer than thirteen times.