New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-16

work Mr.. Wright said to Justice W. mentioning
the case in which he was interested:
60 suppose" said he, that the decision in that
case will be long one there being so many points
| involved"
AS long as the moral law my boy" said the
| old justice as he smiled bencvocntly upon his
! host. That was all that he said upon the subject
! Mr.. Wright, however knew from this remark that
it was the particular justice who wrote long de-
cisons who was preparing the one in this case
This gave him the cue for the decision. and he
/ bought stock based upon this judgment. II proved
correct, and he gained exactly $500 600 from this
| careless remark Of the too amable Justice
One Monday, which is decision day in the
| Supreme Court. Revcrdy Johnson advanced u
! the bench. Decisions were then being read
! Justice Davis was the next in turn. lie had an
| important decision lying in front of him Rcverdy
! johnson, one of the most prominent lawyers in
| that court, intimate with Justice Davis leaned
| over TO him just before lie began to read and
! sad u have got train to make. Ii leaves
! in twenty minutes. ] am obliged to 90 10 Bal,i-
more for an important engagement. ] will there
| fore be unable to remain for the reading of your
| decision. As you to read it in the next
| five minutes, | trust you Will not regard it as
ndiscrcet if ask you to give ne just the point
| of it, as | cannot wait to hear il read"
| Justice Davis looked down at him with shrcwd
twinkle in his brown eyes.
Mr. Johnson said lie, "it will take me
| twenty-five minutes to read that decision. If
tell you the point of it now. you can get 10 the
telegraph wire within five minutes. Nou will
then have twenty minutes advantage of any stool;
operator in the field and | am told by those who
know that if your information is correct twenty
minutes advance is good year. | think
YOU had better break your engagement in Bati-
more and sit down and wait
Mr. johnson smiled backed or. sat dowT and
made no attempt to leave the courtroom TO keep
the important engagement that lie had men
| toned.
Another story about Justice Davis was about
reporter who came to see him when he was Sen
ator of the United States, after he had resigned
from the Supreme Court. He was elected by the
Illinois Legislature after deadlock lie was
elected an Independent candidate lie lett the
| bench and came into the Senate, where lie acted
independently of both parties. II was an almost
| impossible position for any man TO occupy, but
his long judicial training and the habits of the
| bench made him above ordinary criticism. lie
sat through the debates and listened as attcnivcly
TO the political arguments of both sides when he
WAC n Judge lie is the only man in American
| politics who has been able 10 maintain an indie
| pendent position in Congress between the two
parties without losing the respect OF his associates
and without heinz accused Of having Interested
motives He was so dieniled. however. 50 upright
| and so careful, that his votes, first with one
party and then with the other, while they were
subject TO criticism. were as much respected aS
were his decisions on the bench. Party spirit
| ran high in the Senate. and rs the power oil the
| two parties was evenly divided. the Judge often
held tie controlling vote. For this reason he was
n constant subject of attention upon the part
| Of the newspapers Just before the Senate met
in its second session after his election. the judge
arrived in Washington and took up his quarters
| at the National Hotel as usual. While there he
| received one morning the card Of a newspaper
| rcporter representing some Philadelphia paper
The judge sent down the usual message that he
could come mp. TIE Judge was alone lie san
afterward there came into the room young
fellow about sixteen years OF age Ills Drown
hair was cropped short all over his head Ills
face. which was still covered with the down OF
youth. was as frccklcd as partridge egg. The
light of youth and energy flashed from his dancing
blue eyes sner was no trace of shrinking mod
.stv about this caller. lie advanced without
word of Introduction TO the Judge, ana Selzeu
him by the hand as lie said
Glad to see You. Judge. How are yon to-day
When did YOU get in >?
caller and said: "Young man, who are you?7
90. never mind who | am. said the reporter
You got my card all right, dare say. lou know
the Philadelphia paper that | represent Just
called 10 ask you few questions.
But, young an"--sad the Judge
90" said the reporter: &c il is nothing. Just
wanted TO ask YOU which side of the fence YOU
were going 10 be on this year, or whether you
were still going TO stay on the top rail.
The clephantinc judge looked at this downy slip
of youth with majestic beneyolcncc as he said
slowly firmly and kindly: Fair young SIT. !
won't say that you impairment or lnpudrnt'
because do not wish to injurc the feelings Of 50
wcll-mcaning youth. But wish simply to say
TO YOU that it is not my habit 10 talk to people
do not know about my plans or political aspira-
tiOns
Now don't APOLOGIZE said tie reporter. "
know your position is an embarrassing one up
there on that top rail, not knowing which way
TO flop Don't say another word about IT. !
wouldn't think OF pressing you on II. am
awfuly sorry | mentioned it, because ! can see
it has caused YOU positive embarrassment
Here the frcckled youth rose with great com
posurc ducked his sand papercd head, and before
the Judge actually knew what he was doing, hc
had him by the hand shaking him farewell aN
he said Hope to have the pleasure OF seeing
YOU again soon, Judge, ana went OUT
The Judge was economical and careful OF his
money His little Office in the National Hotel
was fitted up exactly was his Office IN Illinois
when he first went there as young man. II
was furnished with wooden chairs with stout
wicker seats, a long pine table, and case for
books. lie always worked here with candles
Gas in his work room he would not have. While
lac was rigidly careful in all OF his personal en-
pcnditures so careful that people often thought
him stingy he was yet one Of the most generous
Of men, lie supported a number of poor rela-
tives and was always ready TO respond TO any
worthy appeal for charity. This became known
after a time, and his life was made miserable
by professional bcggars. Yet his adrOltneSs pro
tcctcd him against the most importunhte \
II IL -. fll1nS L ~