Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1899-08-30
COOK WHO BECAME A JUDGE.
Experience in the Career of Judge
Erskiue of Georgia.

The late Judge John Erskine, OF
A years old. but he soon made his way
to the front, and shortly after the close
of the war President Johnson appoint
ed him To the iudgeship OF the United
States Court for the Northern and
Southern Districts Of Georgia. Judge
Erskine took great pleasure In relat-
ing one story which dealt with incl
dents in his early life and In his later
years. When lie was about 10 years
old he ran away from his home III Ire
land. He joined the crew of sailing
vessel. but as the captain could not
make 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 judgeship year or two when
he went to Savannah to preside over
the Federal Court. One afternoon h.
strolled down to the river to look
the vessels In port. The captain q.
one of the ships came ashore and pass
ed the judge, giving him sharp
glance. Evidently something puzzled
the captain. for he retraeed his steps
and stared hard at the man, who WAS
enjoying the scene on the river.
ID il 1t isn't Johnny the Cook"
exclaimed the bluff sailor.
Erskine looked at him and recognized
heartily and the captain told the other
how he had identified him by scar
on his face. ga s'ff1 slf
II haven't forgotten the fight in
which you We're so badly cut" said the
veteran of the seas. You proved
yourself man that day, and the
whole ship sided with you"
A brief talk about old times followed
and then the captain glanced at his for
mer cooks clothes.
You must have prospered in this
country" he remarked. What Is
yOui iiAC vi DuSihCoSs
"rhere is a long story connected
with that replied the Judge, land as
have to meet an appointment now.
must postpone 1t until | see you
again. Meet me in the United States
court room tomorrow morning at ~
o'clock. Until then good-by."
The captain promised to he 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 gazed around in Il
dazed way, and was evidently disap-
pointed In not finding the man he
sought Finally he raised his eyes to
the bench. For moment he seemed
dazed. He doubted his own eyes. Frs
kline saw him. and beckoned to him to
come to the inside of the railing which
fenced off the lawyers from the spec
tn tors.
With trembling steps the captain
took his stand one step below the plat
form on which the judge sat Frs
kline welcomed him cordially, and dur
ing some unimportant routine business
told the astonished sailor about his ca
reer in America and his elevation TO
the bench.
The story was told In a low tone, and
not word of 1t was heard by anybody
except the captain. The latter was so
thoroughly astonished by what he saw
and heard that he was anxious to get
away, and he seemed to be gratfied
when the Judge dismissed him with an
invitation to dine with him ut his hotel.
When the mariner reached the bottom
step he faced about and gave the Judge
II sweeping glance.
We'll, I'll be d-d"' he calculated
In distinctly audible voice. He left
the court room shaking his head and
looking back every other step. Even
when he was outside the building he
was in the same state of bewilder-
ment. The incident afforded Judge
Erskine intense enjoyment. and he fire.
quently referred to II.