The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1908-12-11
A Simple Method.

<N~~>>~~>~~~~
Copyright. 1908. by American Press Assoc
ciation.l
I am Judge on the bench.
One morning when ! was disposine
Of a number Of cases. any one Of which
would make q refined and tender heart
bleed, saw young couple. evidently
still in their teens, come into the court
room. Both looked sullen, and the
girl wife especially wretched. Both
were poorly clad, consequence, i
judged, Of difficulties between them.
The. young husband gave every EVIL
dence of being able to make living
for himself and his wife except for
some especial obstacle The wife had
sweet face and was very pretty.
While sitting on the seat Of judgment,
sending hardened criminals to their
punishment, l kept my eye on this
couple. Experience told me that one
4 had come to make some complaint of
the others treatment; but, familiar as
was with real guilt, l knew that 1t
did not belong to either. When had
disposed of the bulk Of my cases
! called the couple before me and with
out inviting either to state the diff
Guilty between them l asked:
How long have you two been mar
ried?"
"Just one year today" replied the
girl sadly.
"And this is the anniversary of your
hor
what you consider trouble. Do you
know that you have no trouble"
There was no reply to this. Both
stood mutely belying my statement by
the misery Of their appearance and the
expression on their faces.
How old are you?" asked the hus-
band.
Nineteen, your honor"
"And your" of the girl.
Seventeen"
What should do with this boy and
girl to turn their antagonism into for
giveness and affection? Suddenly 1t
came to me as an inspiration from
heaven.
@"Sit down there, side by side, and
think pleasant things Of each other
Mind. you are not to think anything
disagreeable. II such things come into
your heads. drive them out at once and
begin again on something affectionate."
They did as bid them. while pro-
ceeded with the remaining cases to
come before me. still had my eye
on them and found them an interesting
study. The husband sat for awhile
with lowering brow, but he was evil
IDENTITY trying to do my bidding, and
inter awhile l noticed that 1t had re-
Taxed. The wife apparently found it
easier to think pleasantly of him. and
presently l saw her steal glance at
him. 1t was anxious, pleading, loving.
His hand was on the seat and partly
covered by her skirts. Hers disap-
peared from view. and l knew thatSit
rested on his. l waited a moment to
see II he would withdraw his. and
when he did not l knew that the case
was won.
A pleasurable feeling came over my
hardened judicial heart. and, looking
from this comparatively innocent pair
to creatures into whom only divinity
could inject mite of the good, I
wished that might be endowed with
such divine power sent one who
had inherited sin and had lived since
birth In its environment to Jail. anoth-
er to the workhouse. third dismissed
with warning. Men and women,
even children, l disposed Of mercilessly.
Then when had attended to all
called the young couple before me.
%"This is the anniversary Of your
wedding" l said. you remember
how happy you were on that day.
You remember" to the husband, "how
pretty she looked. Well. she is as
pretty today, only senseless bicker-
irfgs have kept you from work. and she
Is not so well dressed. And you," to
the wife. don't bother him about I'M
important things. nor importune him,
but dust trouble off him every day as
you dust your rooms. 1t is the wife's
part. Now 60 and celebrate your first
wedding anniversary"
They turned away. but noticed that
there was something on the mans
mind. The wife came back and whis-
pered to me:
HE has nothing to celebrate with"
i put my hand in my pocket and
drew forth some bills. "This Is for
the supper" l said, land this for the
alter tickets. Have good time and
don't ever come here again on such an
Grand"
AS they left me the man had an
abashed look. while his young wife's
face was wreathed in smiles. AS l
looked at them l felt the justice in
my charge to the girl that 1t was her
part to ward trouble from her hus-
band. Whatever he felt he had no abil
lily to show; what she felt was as plain
as the sun In heaven.
The case. though different from the
thousands that came before me and re-
freshing as 1t was, had passed out of
my mind when one day on taking my