The record-union., 1899-01-01
THE JUDGE AND THE CAT.

before me, When he died at the ad-
'varoed age of 90. the greater part Of
his library descended to me BY will.
s Ten years after his death, while
searching for his medical diploma,
was surprised to find one of the most
marvellous family records that ever
came to light Much as dislike the
notoriety that will come Of what I
am about to do, T have decided to pub
lish this record; because it is as Won
derIul as anything in fiction, and as
marvellous as the most startling reve1a-
tions Of science.
In searching for the missing diploma,
I opened the private drawer of an old
office desk 1t contained the diploma
and an ofiicial-sized envelope. The
envelope was originally white. but 1t
was yellow with age when found it.
It was not addressed to any one, but
it contained the following sentence,
written in the clear, characteristic
handwriting of my father: 1.-THE true
story Of my marriage-JOHN BAR
BER, NJ D." With the same curiosity
that you would doubtless exhibit under
like circumstances, I broke the seal and
read the contents, which comprised
twelve neatly written pages of manu-
script, as. follows:
THE STORY OF MY MARRIAGE.
By John Barber, M. D.
I am impelled to leave my descend
ants a record Of my courtship, since
the time has come when the story can
do no harm, and since my marriage has
been a thorough success-and I make
this statement after half century in
the harness. 1t was fifty years ago
yesterday that Miss Jane Williams,
youngest daughter Of Judge Hezekiah
Williams, became Mrs. John Barber.
Our grand children and great-grand-
children are for the most part happy
and prosperous-and some of our des-
cendants are even illustrious.
To properly impress those who read
these lines, with the fact that am
serious, declare that every word is the
exact truth-and I have revised the
manuscript thoroughly. In fact, man
of my age has few temptations to lie,
especially if the years have been mel
lowed with success. l find myself
wealthy. healthy, and happy-and I
can scarcely believe that I am SO old,
though I know that my race is nearly
run. CHANGING at the actuary's expect
ancy table (printed on page of my
life insurance policy a few days ago, I
saw that I had calmly sailed far be-
yond the course marked out. I was
insured at the age of 30, with an ex-
pectancy of less than 36 years; but
here I am away up in the eighties,
beyond the age called for by the chart.
Feeling that the curtain will certainly
fall ere many years, take up my pen
in the late evening of life to tell of the
stirring events that marked its rosy
morn. With a firm belief in God and
a hereafter, shall tell the truth with
out fear Though should speak with
the tongue of an angel I could not do
more; soto the point!
At the age of % met and loved Jane
Williams, who was five years my jun
ior. She was the belle of the village of
Silver Bow, Kentucky-a lovely girl of
fine lineage and bright prospects. She
loved me with the courage of a hero
inc, in spite of the obstacles that beset
us. Our courtship was brief and clan
destine: for her father had a strange
notion that she was too young to be
loved, and he thought that was not
the social equal of his daughter. But
we circumvented. the Judge, drinking
the waters of love in secret places.
It is not to the purpose to go into de-
tails concerning our brief and earnest
courtship, but a few facts are OF pri-
mary significance: I was thorough
chemist and a skillful physician, strug-
Cling hard to build up a practice; and
to add to my income, I devoted several
hours each day to pharmacy, working
at a fixed wage for the village apothe-
cary. In those days this custom was
usual among country doctors.
When the income from my practice
and pharmaceutical labors had reached
a figure that justified me in undertake
ing the obligations of matrimony,
sounded Judge Williams regarding the
contemplated marriage. After had
explained to him how truly Jane and
loved each other, and told him how tsyo
lives would certainly be wrecked if ever
anything should prevent the marriage,
frankly asked his consent to the cere-
mony.
Instead of treating me with the re-
spect due to one Of my rank and CHAR
acter. he refused me with insulting
brusqueness; and when l impetuousiy
demanded his reasons for such bitter
opposition, he said: There is social
chasm between our families, sir, that
cannot be bridged! You force me 10
speak plainly-It is possible that your
father was a good man, but the 1act
remains that he died in an aims house.
In vain did argue that was in no
manner blameful for the Illuminating
truth that formed the basis of his oppo-
sition, since l was but two years OLD
when my father died. But got no sat
isfaction.
ITS in the blood, in the blood he
repeated. rubbing his hands with ner-
vous impatience, land the same vice
may break out in your children, even
if you escape it,
His freezing, firm decision showed
plainly that he was of the belief that
the true purple ran in his own veins.
II am holier than thou" was clearly
his cardinal belief.
IF your family should be- overtaken
with financial disaster or if anything
should disgrace it's good name" re-
piled with what calmness I could COM
mand, Il would not desert Jane on that
account, but I'd come and ask you for
her, Just as I'm doing now.
That's your privilege, sir" he re-
piled, with cruel sternness, land, since
you have made the supposition, I shall
add that your proposition is out Of place
until you find us in the position you
have suggested"
The reply angered me, but I was too
much Of a philosopher to blurt out my
feelings. After calming myself for a
moment, said: Judge Williams, you
are a man of undoubted honor and fam