The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-11

move he makes he shows the effect OF
clean living and outdoor life. Never,
perhaps, has a man existed with hab-
its more simple than his. Perfectly
contented is he when wandering
around his farm Of ninety acres at
Esopus, which overlooks the Hudson
river, and it is his signal delight to
get out in the broiling sun in his shirt
sleeves to help his men in their work
Of agriculture.
Judge Parker is man who can
best be described as being good to
seen him before, the first meeting al
ways causes an impression of strength
and of indomitable will, expressed by
the firm jaws and the formidable
round chin.
Brown eyes that can be both kindly
and lion like, and a symmetrical brow
are other characteristics Of Judge Par
ker that are to be observed, but above
all there is seen to be look of deter
nination and honesty on his face at
all times, which induces confidence on
the part of his friends and feeling
among strangers that he is man to
be depended upon.
Is Self-Made Man.
Judge Parker is one Of the best ex-
amples of a self-made man in the
United States today.
Born poor, he has built up small
fortune that amply provides for his
needs, and above that he appears to
have no further ambition in a none
tary way. His three farms, one at
Cortland, another at Accord and the
third at Esopus, complete his '~~1
possessions, and, in all his wealth is
estimated at not more than 100000.
The judges house is a modest but
comfortable wooden structure, stand
ing on the stone foundations Of a
Dutch house of colonial times. 1t is
set on the side of a hill among shade
trees, and fronts the river. 1t is the
abode of hospitality and refinement,
the typical home of an American gen
tleman. The pictures, the books, the
furniture, the wide hall and glowing
fireplace, the sunny library and the
dining room, with it's long, mahogany
table, all show evidence Of intelligent
tastes that We're not developed in one
generation.
Pillar of the Church.
! The judge is a vestryman in the
Kingston church, and, altho 4 man Of
very moderate means, he is probably
the wealthiest man in the congrega-
ton. He is the practical pillar of the
church and takes an active interest in
it's charities, it's cooking and sewing
and dancing schools, it's physical Gull
ture class and its basketball games for
boys. He is also a contributor to the
funds of the local orphan asylum, and
| is one of the managers Of the Kings
ton City hospital.
His neighborly usefulness is to be
| seen on all sides. He is even the
freight agent of steamboat company,
so that the little private dock on his
farm may. be used for the convenience
| of the community, and there the fast
| est steamboats, of the Hudson touch
aiY to W
He is confirmed magazine reader.
He seldom reads poetry, but is fond of
| good novels. Mrs. Parker is always
on the alert for new story for her
Woodworking husband. But his nat
ural taste is for Dickens Thackery
and Scott. He delights in the vigorous
| out-of-door atmosphere of THE Scot
! fish Chiefs" Jefferson is his favorite
political writer. Any book or article
on agriculture or cattle breeding Is
sure to interest him.
Fond of Simple Music.
His daughter, Mrs. Hale, is an &C
complished musician and used to sing
in a choir at Kingston. The Judge
but Mrs. Parker's health failed sud-
denly and her daughter insisted on
returning to the United States. Mrs.
Hale plays the piano for her father
and he occasionally sings. His must
cal tastes are very simple and CLASH
cal compositions are apt to bore him.
After he has spent a morning work
ing on his judicial opinions-hours OF
grave concentration, When.ono one is
permitted to interrupt his quiet-and
when he is waiting for lunch, his Sec
rotary Arthur McCausland, will sit at
tenor voice sings old-fashioned bal
lads or hymns. II Feel Just as Young
as I Used to Be-" only An ArmoI
Bearer" Hold the Fort" and so on
1t is all very simple and natural in
that house. And hospitality is the
first law. Indeed the judge carries
hospitality to an extreme. All his
neighbors are his friends. When he
sits at the head of the long mahogany
dining table with his wife, mother
brother, daughter. son-in-law and
grandchildren, with one or two
guests, and perhaps a ne1ghbor Wis
itor, he Is the life Of the scene; gentle,
dignifed, helping the conversation,
| but never forcing ia rare gift in a
man of strong mentality.
! An Early Riser.
He arises usually at half-past 6
o'clock in the morning, takes his cold
plunge, shaves and dresses himself in
thirty minutes. His riding dress is a
brown corduroy jacket and breeches
cloth cap and leather leggings. After
taking a cup of coffee without sugar
he is ready for his ride.
Then he mounts his big bay saddle
hose, and rides at a hard trot for an
hour over the country roads. The
whole region is full Of historical in
terest, and the judge knows every
house and story. Now and then an
early rising farmer sees him riding at
full gallop, talking to his horse and
sometimes throwing up his arms in
sheer excess of animal spirits.
After his daily ride, which he takes
whether in Albany or at Esopus, re-
CARELESS Of the season, he dresses for
business and eats a hearty breakfast
usually of fruit, oatmeal porridge
beefsteak or sausages or bacon and
eggs, buckwheat cakes, maple syrup
hot corn bread and two cups Of coffee
When breakfast is over he goes to
court for consultation, If he is in AL
bany, or works on his opinions, if he
is at Esopus.
His ordinary lunch consists of thin
soup, tea without milk or sugar, fruit
and custard or pumpkin pie.
Then he goes to court and sits or
the bench until 6 o'clock, or, if he is
on the farm, he divides his time be-
tween his cattle, crops and judicial