The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-08-19
The Great
Passing Show
One of ST Haskells Best Stories
Regarding the Sad Fate
of Judge.

ly tie human intellect is balanced"
said the Close Observer while in rem-
iniscent mood few days ago in the
park. even the strongest and brav-
est minds are SO delicately pivoted that
the most trivial circumstance will
sometimes upset their equilibrium and
send them tumbling down in chahotic
tumble.
81 often call to mind the sad case of
Judge WitLerspoon, a man whose stern
and immutable characteristics and d
whose sterling qualities were admitted
and admired by all who knew him.
Yet, today he is confined in sanitari-
um, drooling, babbling wreck, and all
on account of perhaps one of the most
nonsensical incidents that occurred dur
ing his long and useful life.
Judge Witherspoon had NJ whims
nor hobbies nor foibles, he was eccen-
trio in but one thing-that was the long,
squarecut, straight-brushed-back, trag-
edy style in which he wore his hair. 1t
was probably an affectation in his
younger days, but it had developed in
to habit and as it was neither Often
sive nor unbecoming it was looked up
on as part of his apparel, or adorn-
ment, and respected accordingly.
| eff man were to go down town to
business some morning with his trou-
sers' legs cut off at the knees, or his
coat sleeves cut off at the elbows, he
certainly would attract attention, and
probably be subjected to many meddle-
some comments and caustic remarks.
$50, when one day during very
warm and depressing spell during late
August, the Judge showed up with his
heavy hair closely cut in the latest i'm
proved summer style, he laid himself
open to just such comments and re-
marks as would be applied to the man
with the abbreviated trousers legs or
coat sieeves.
"When the Judge entered his office
Miss Smythe, the steuographer, looked
up from her work, and in unconcealed
astonishment exclaimed: why, Judge
You have had your hair cut. What q
striking change in your appearance
"fYes, yes,' said the Judge rather
sharply, L have had my hair cut, anc
it does no doubt change my appearance
somewhat
GA few minutes later the Office bo!
entered the judges sanctum. Hull!
: Gee! yuse has had yuh hair cutp he ex
claimed in wide-mouthed amazement
"Yesp snapped the Judge, Il hav,
had my hair cut
"And so the day wore away. Eacl
caller at the office added to the Judge
irascibility He went without his luncl
, and at least an hour before his usua
time he telephoned to his coachman t
call at the Office with the surrey an
take him home.
/, "When the Judge stepped into tn
surrey the old colored coachman's eye
!. stuck out and his ivories CLEANED
T "Ya ah, yah; Marse Jedge, yuse done ha
!. yo' ha-ar cut he blurted out.
: "Yes, you internal black rasca
t drive on homer shouted the Judge.
"By this time the Judge was almos
l beside himself. On the way home b
+ noticed the coachman's shoulders worl
, ing up and down every few minute
J. and he knew that the coachman we
shaking with silent mirth; this onl
u added more fuel to his indignation.
G "As the Judge entered his home b
g youngest daughter rushed toward hi1
> for the usual embrace, but she pause
T midway and exclaimed! why, pap'
n You've had your hair cutp Yes, T.,
y had my hair cut screamed the Judg
L as he tore away and started for tt
q. library, but before reaching there |
q met Mrs. Witherspoon who grabbe
him by the coat sleeve and said: sWh
lpa! | am SO surprised; you have hs