Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1894-04-06
OUR HIGHEST TRIBUNAL
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.
The Robing Room, Where the JUS
tices Put On Their Silk TOwns-A
Mirror That Was Missed.


tices Put On Their Silk Towns-A
Mirror That Was Missed.
TN entering the robing-room l
passed through small antecham-
ber, with presses around the
walls, where the Judges gowns
are kept, and mirror hung convent
emily for them to put the finishing
touches to their toilets. An old col
ored man stood bowling and smiling at
the door, and the marshal presently
called out to him, "Archie, can't you
show us one of the Judges gowns?"
In few minutes he apperred with
rustling mass of black silk, which he
proceeded to show off like a shop-girl
shows jacket--by putting her hands
in the armholes and presenting the
back of the garment for your inspec-
ton. ''How long have you been TAX
ing care of the robing room, Archie?"
l asked, looking at his gray head and
wrinkled face. Ever since the 10th
day of October, 1S49," he answered,
with much pride and fourishing
bow. This here is Jedge Shiras's
gown, presented to him by his club
mates when he was appointed. Feel
how soft and rich the silk is But it
won't last long They never does, on
account of the Jedges twistin' round
SO in their cheers. Yes, it takes heap
o silk to make 'em. Fifteen yards,
and they cost from $50 to 800, ac-
cordin' to the quality
Saturday is conference day at the
court. The Judges meet III a large
room on the floor below the court to
discuss the business of the tribunal.
1t is bright, cheerful library, lined
with law-books from floor to ceiling,
and looks very coZy and attractive.
Like the robing room, it is entered
through an antechamber, which is also
piled with law books, for they are very
much pressed for space. Noticing
this was surprised to see one entire
wall sacrificed to wash stand, with all
old-fasbioned mirror hanging over it.
"Why don't you move those and use
that space for more shelves?" / asked
the marshal ''What is the use of
that wash-stand when you have such
nice lavatory adioining?" "Well, we
are very conservative in the Supreme
Court" he said. II thought myself
what pity it was not to utilize all
that space, SO one day | had the wash
stand and mirror moved away. Pres
emily Judge Field came in and walked
slowly through to the conference
room. From force of habit be raised
his eyes, expecting to see his face re-
fiected in the mirroi.as usgal. Missing
it instantly, he stopped short and de.
manded of the servant why it had been
taken away. When the reason was ex-
planned to him be made no further
comment, except to say to himself,
half aloud, I've looked at myself in
that mirror for more than twenty-five
years, and now it is gone. He really
seemed to feel as if an old friend had
deserted him, so while the conference
was going on l had everything put
back lust as it was before, and when
the Judge again passed through on his
way out, and turned to look at the
vacant wall, he stared hard for a
moment, and then said, ina dazed sort
of way, We'll | would have sworn
that mirror wasn't there this morn
ing.
Judge Lamar, who died last winter,
was one of the characters of the court
A gentleman of the old school, he was
always making fine speeches to women,
and there are no end of stories told
about him. On one occasion he was
taken to task by lady at Bar Harbor
who thought he did not recognize her.
"Ah, Judge" she said. 81 am afraid
you don't remember me; | met you
here two years ago. Remember
you, madam" was his quick reply,
with one of his courtly bows; ''why,
I've been trying ever since to forget
you" And she laughingly exclaimed,
"Oh, go away, you dear, delightful
old Southern humbug l"-Harper's
Weekly.