Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-18
The Simple but Suggestive Comment Of the
Judges Shipmate.

The late Judge John lcrskine of
Georgia, 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 APP
pointed him to the judgeship of the
United States court for the northern
and southern districts of Georgia.
Judge Erskine took great pleasure IN
relating one story which dealt with
incidents in his early life and in his
later wears. When he was about l6
years old he ran away from his home
in Ireland He Joined the crew OF
sailing vessel but, as the captain could
not make a sailor of him, She had to do
the cooking. and was known to every
BODY on the ship as Johnny the Cook,
relates the New York Sun.
Al 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 judgeship a year or two when
he went to Savannah to preside over
the Federal court. One afternoon ne
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. giving him "a sharp glance.
Evidently something puzzled the cap
tain. for he retraced his steps and
stared hard at the man. who was en-
joying the scene on the river.
Bowed If 1T isn't Johnny the Cook"
exclaimed the bluff sailor.
Erskine hooked at him and recog-
nized 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 forgotten the fight in
which you were SO badly cut" said the
veteran OF the seas. You proved
yourself a man that day. and the
whole ship sided with you"
A 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 long story connected with
that" replied the judge. land as have
to meet an appointment now. I must
postpone it until l see you again. Meet
me in the United States court room
tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. Until
then, goOd-by.'
The captain promised to be on hand.
The next morning at 10 o'clock Judge
Erskine was on the bench. in his black
robe, dealing out justice to a crowd of
moonshiners. In a 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. Final
ly he raised his eyes to the bench.
For Il moment he seemed daZed. He
doubted his own eyes. Erskine saw
him, and beckoned to him to come in
side 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 unmportant routine business
told the astonished sailor about his
career in America and his elevation to
the bench.
The story was told in a low tone and
not a word of it was heard by anybody
except the captain. The latter was SO
tlorouSHlH dStoillSHeu ny Witdl ic Sd"
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
q sweeping glance.
well, I'll be bowed" he calculated.
in a distinctly audible voice. He left
the courtroom shaking his head and
looking back every other step. Even
when he was outside of the building
he was in the same state of bewilder-
ment. The incident afforded Judge
Erskne intense enjoyment. and he fire.
quently referred to it.