The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-11-25
COOK BECAME A JUDGE.


The late Judge John Eyskine OF Geor-
gia did not read law until he was 45
years old, but he soon made his way to
the front. and shortly after the close OF
the war President Johnson appointed
him 10 the Judgeship of the United
States Court for the Northern and
Southern districts OF Georgia. Judge
Erskine took great pleasure I'm relating
one story which dealt with Incidents in
his early life and i'm his later years.
When he was about l6 years old he ran
away from his home in Ireland. He
Joined the crew OF a sailing vessel. but
az the Captain could not make a sailor
OF him, he had To do the cooking. and
was known TO everybody on the ship as
Johnny the Cook.
At the end of year the youngster
abandoned the sea and returned home.
After completing his education he came
To this country and settled in Georgia,
where he was remarkably successful
and prosperous. He had held his Judge
ship year or two when he went To Sa-
Vannah To preside over the Federal
Court, One afternoon he strolled down
to the river TO look at the vessels in
port. The Captain of one of the ships
came ashore and passed the Judge, Civ
ing him a sharp glance. Evidently
something puzzled the Captain for he
retraced his steps and stared hard at
the man. who was enjoying the scene
on the river.
Damned If it isn't Johnny the Cook"
exclaimed the bluff sailor.
Erskine looked at him. and recognized
his old Captain. The two shook hands
heartily, and the Captain told the other
how he had identified him by scar on
his face.
Il haven't forgot the fight i'm which
go A Naf
eran OF the seas. You proved yourself
a man that day. and the whole ship
sided with you
4 brief talk about old times followed,
and then the Captain glanced at his
former cooks clothes.
You must have prospered in this
country" he remarked. What is your
line OF business?"
There is a long story connected with
that" replied the Judge. and as have
to meet an appointment now. / must
postpone IL until | see you again. Meet
me In the United States Court room to-
morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Until
then, good by"
The Captain promised to be on hand.
The next morning at 10 o'clock Judge
Erskipe was on the bench, in his black
robe, dealing out justice to crowd Of
moonshiners. In few moments the
old sea Captain walked into the court
room. He glanced around in a dazed
way and was evidently disappointed in
not finding the man he sought. Finally
he raised his eyes to the bench. For a
moment he seemed dazed. He doubted
his own eyes. Erskine saw him. and
beckoned to him to come inside of the
railing which fenced off the lawyers
from the spectators.
With trembling steps the Captain
took his stand one step below the plat
form on which the Judge sat. Erskine
welcomed him cordially. and during
some unimportant routine business told
the astonished sailor about his career
in America and his elevation to the
bench.
The story was told i'm low tone. and
not a word Of II was heard by anybody
except the Captain The latter was so
thoroughly sstonished by what he saw
and heard that he was anxious TO get
away. and he seemed TO be gratified
when the Judge dismissed him with an
invitation to dine with him at his
hotel. When the mariner reached the
bottom step he faced about and gave
the Judge a sweeping glance.
well. I'll be damned" be calculated,
in a distinctly audible voice. He left
the court room shaking his head and
looking back every step. Even when
he was outside OF the building he was
I'm the same state Of bewilderment. The
incident afforded Judge Erskine intense
enjoyment. and he frequently referred
to 1.-THE Sun.