Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-05-02

quietly. although little betting was
now done In our presence.
II see Judge Reeves of the supreme
court of the state over there in car
riage." suggested Major Williams. Eve
very much a notion to go and ask him
to act as our referee"
God bless my SOUL" said Orme,
"this is an extraordinary country!
What, judge of the supreme court?"
Williams laughed. You don't know
this country. captain, and you dol.
know Judge Reeves He's trife old
but game as fighting cock. and, not
to mention a few duels In his time. he
knows more even about guns and dogs
today than he does about law He'll
not be offended if ask him, and here
goes.''
He edged off through the crowd. and
we saw him engaged in earnest con-
versation with the judge. To our sur
prise and amusement. we observed the
judge climb hastily down out of his
carriage and take Major Williams
arm.
Judge Reeves was a tall. thin man.
whose long hair and beard were sill
very white. yet his stature was erect
and vigorous It was always said of
him that he was the most dignified
man In the state of Missouri and that
he carried this formaIity into every
detail of his daily life. The story ran
that each night when he and his aged
consort retired. they stood. each with
candle in hand. on either side of the
great bed which all their married life
they had occupied in harmony. She.
said, Good night. Judge Reeves.
whereat he, bowling with yet greater
formality, replied. Good night, Mrs.
Reeves" Each then blew out the can
die and so retired | cannot vouch as
to the truth of this story or of the
further report that they carried out
their ceremony when seating them
selves at table each meal of the day,
but | will say that the appearance Of
this gentleman would have given such
stories likelihood
We uncovered as the judge approach
ed US, and he shook hands with us in
the most solemn way, his own wide
black hat in his hand. '.A-a- Them, gen.
tlemen." he said. "a somewhat unusual
situation for one on the bench-most
unusual, 1 may say. But the court
can see no harm in it since no law of
the land is violated. Neither does the
court hold it beneath the dignity of
its Office to witness this little trial of
skill between gentlemen. Further
speaking. the court does not here pass
upon questions of law, but sits rather
as jury in matters of ocular evidence,
with the simple duty of determining
whether certain flying objects fall upon
this or the other side of that certain
line marked out as the boundaries
Gentlemen. am-ahem-yours with
great pleasure" If there was twin
kle in his eye it was very solemn
one.
My weapon was supplied me by Cap
tain Stevenson. a good MantOn, some
what battered up from much use, but
of excellent even pattern. Orme shot
Pope made gun of London with the
customary straight hand and slight
drop of the English makes.
'.Shall the firing be with the single
barrel or with both barrels?" inquired
our referee. In those days many Ameri-
can matches were shot from plunge
traps and with the single barrel.
I'm more used to the use of both
barrels" suggested Orme. "but ] do
not insist"
1T is the same to me-" / said. So
finally we decided that the rise should
be at twenty eight yards, the use of
both barrels allowed and the boundary
at fifty yards-such rules as came to
be later more generally accepted in
this country.
.'Now, then, gentlemen" said Judge
Reeves, "the court is informed that
this match Is to be for the sum of ST.
500, wagered by Captain Orme against
a certain black stallion horse, the same
not introduced In evidence. but stated
by Mr.. Cowles to be OF the value Of
! $500 In the open market.
"Ahem. gentlemen" he resumed.
"the court being. as it were. broke.
will some one be SO good as to lend the
court silver coin? Thank you" Ito
Williams). "And now. gentlemen. will
you toss for the order of precedence"
We threw the coin, and lost the
toss. Orme sent me to the score FIRST
with the purpose. as knew, of study
ing bis man.
was perhaps bit too tense and
eager. Our birds were to be flown by
| hand from behind a screen. and my
first bird started of trife low. but
fast. and l knew was not on with
the first barrel. the hang of Steven
sons gun being not quite the same as
my own. | killed it with the second.
but it struggled over the tape.
Lost birdr' called out Judge Reeves
| sharnjv