The true northerner., 1895-06-14
A JUDGES PREDICAMENT
BY JOHN RIDGARD.


Shore limited, speeding northward
along the shore of the Hudson and, as
the increasing darkness obscured the
view of the river and the Catskills, my
attention was drawn to couple of
gentlemen who sat nearly opposite me
on the other side of the car They
were evidently old friends and were
engaged in animated conversation-so
animated, in fact, that it came clearly
TO my ears. We were the only passen-
gers in the coach and, doubtless, my
late preoccupation led them TO disre-
gard my presence in the fancied Sc
curity of the noise of the train. 1t was
far from my thoughts to become an
eavesdropper, but had no reason to
suppose there was anything confden-
tial in their talk until had become SO
interested in what had heard that |
smothered all scruples and listened to
the end.
II would never have known him."
said one of tire two men, the farther
one from me, though perhaps that is
not strange, for had not seen him for
twenty years. Yet knew you, old fell
low, the moment we met. 1t is won
derful how little you have changed,
for all your gray hairs" and he put
his hand affectiouately on the others
knee.
Il have held my. own pretty WELL"
said the other, and his bright and still
youthful face flashed back an answer
ing smile, NOR can | see much change
in you. Georgia. little stouter, some
what more staid, but that is all What
a streak of luck this is that should
have met you this afternoon when you
landed and that we should have this
ride to Chicago together"
But, say, Jack - this is the first
chance | have had TO ask you-what
the deuce is the matter with Phil? He
has not only changed in appearance,
but has radically changed in manner.
Why, he is as fidgcty as an old woman
l don't think he was half glad to see
me. In the olden time he was jolly
enough and right good fellow; but
to-day he hurried off ON board his
steamer two hours ahead of time, when
we hadn't been together a minute.
Really, felt hurt"
You are misjudging him, George.
He is n good fellow and thinks FIST as
much of you as he ever did. But he is
not himself just now, and there is
every reason why he should not be.
There is a story connected with our trip
to New York which, in justice to him, 1
ought to tell you. am sure he would
wish me to do SO.
Il don't know that you are aware
that Phil has been very successful in
in his profession. He is Judge" and
the speakers voice here sank so low
that | missed a few words. when he
got to Chicago he took rooms for him
self and wife some six or eight blocks
south of the worlds fair grounds-and,
by the way, he has a charming wife
l must tell you to call upon her, for
she Is still there, at the Palmer house.
She is to remain there until i return.
well, Phil and his wife put in
couple of weeks at the fair. / met
them there frequently and we had
many pleasant hours together They
had seats reserved at the Auditorium.
When the time came Phil's wife was
tired aud didn't care to go. This more
than inclined Phil to give up going,
but he finally decided that he would
not lose this his only chance of seeing
a very fine spectacular play that had
drawn great crowds during the fair.
Before he came 10 Chicago he had pur-
chased an elegant. sclf-cocking revolver
"a thing he had never owned before
and on that evening, at his wife's re-
quest, he put it in his hip pocket.
''IIe took a street car fo' the fair
grounds, intending to take train
there for the city. There was appar-
emily no standing room in the crowded
car, and il was with the greatest diff
ficulty that he secured a footing on the
rear platform.
1.-The car had gone but two or three
blocks when it stopped at crossing
The pressure increased, people trod
upon his feet and dug their elbows into
his sides in their efforts to make way
for some one who was coming from the
inside of the car.
THE subject of all this commotion
came crowding by him toward the
steps. In passing him the stranger
stumbled, muttercd word of apology
and then, hurrying on, reached the
steps and alighted. AS he did SO Phil
caught the CLEAN of gold in the mans
hand.
''Instinctively he clapped his hand to
his breast-his watch and chain were
gone. They had belonged TO his ia
ther. He could not lose them.
1.-THE car had started, but in a twin
king Phil sprang to the ground. The
man had reached the sidewalk, and as
he passed under the street lamp Phil
saw that he was fumbling about his
vest, as IL attaching chain to
buttonhole. The houses are much
scattered in that neighborhood and
there was no one else in sight.
Drawing his revolver, Phil ran soft
lv hut swiftly after him Tho man