Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1894-03-23
OUR HIGHEST TRIBUNAL,
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.
The Robing- Room, Where the Jus
tees Put On Their Silk Gowns-A
Mirror That Was Missed.

Mirror That Was Missed.
TN entering the robing-room ]
passed through small antecham-
Der, 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 a
rustIing mass of black silk, which he
proceeded to show off like a shOp-glrI
shows iscket-by putting her hands
in the armholes and presenting the
back of the garment for your lnspec-
ton. Glow long have you been TAX
ing care of the robing-room, Archie p
I asked, looking at his gray head and
wrinkled face. Ever since the 10th
day of October, 1849," he answered,
with much pride and a fourishing
bow. This here is ledge Shirass
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 d heap
o silk to make 'em. Fifteen yards,
and they cost from $50 to $50, ac
cordin' to the quality"
Saturday is conference day at the
court. The Judges meet IN 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 coy 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 1 was surprised to see one entire
wall sacrificed to wash-stand, with an
oldfashioned 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 adjoining?" "Well, we
are very conservative in the Supreme
Court" he said. 81 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-
fected in the mirror as usual. 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 he 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 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, in q dazed sort
of way, We'll! I would have sworn
that mirror wasn't there this morn
ing"
OuIlSo IbludI3 WHO NlIGu 1dSC WIuieG,
was one of the characters of the court.
A gentleman of the old school, he was
always making inespeeches 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, MADAME was his quick reply,
with one of his courtly bows; ''why,
I've been trying ever since to forget
you" And she laughingly exclaimed,
ooh, go away, you dear, delightful
old Southern humbug !'-Harper's
Weekly