The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-21

'"Too gaited for rue at this time of the month"; he said, but I'll lay you $1OO on the issue"
 Five. if you like. on the vfrginian. sir" said young Belknap of the Ninth to Orme.
 Done and done. gentlemen. Let 1t be dollars and not guineas, if you like"
 A few more wagers were laid, and the civilian element began to plunge a bit on Orme. word having passed that he was an old hand at the game. whereas l was but a novice. Orme took some of these wagers carelessly.
 Now as to our referee. captain" said Stevenson. You are. as you say, something of a stranger among us. and we wish your acquaintance were great CT. so that you might name some one who would suit you.''
 I'm indifferent" said Orme politely Any one MT. Cowles may name will please me-"
 His conduct was handsome through out. and his sporting attitude made him many friends among us. l sus- pect some army money went on him quietly. although little betting was now done in our presence.
 "I see Judge Reeves of the supreme court of the state over there in a car riage." suggested Major Williams. i've 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. a judge of the supreme court ?"
 Williams laughed. You don't know this country. captain. and you don't know Judge Reeves. He's a trif1e old. but game as a fighting cock. and. not to mention a few dueIs in his time. he knows more even about guns and dogs today than he does about law. He'll not be offended if I ask him, and here goes"
 He edged of 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 dignitied 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 Ride of the great bed which all their married life they had occupied in harmony. She, formally lowing to him across the bed. said, Good night. Judge Reeves." whereat he, lowing with yet greater formality, replied. Good night, Mrs. Reeves Each then blew out the can dle and so retired. I 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 I 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. 'tA-a-hem, gen. tlemen.'' he said. "a somewhat unusual situation for one on the bench-most unusual, I 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. I am--ahem-yours with great pleasure" If there was a twin kle in his eye it was 8 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 a 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 I dc not insist"
 Ut is the same to me- said. Sc
 
 be at twenty-eight yards, the use oi both barrels allowed and the boundary at fifty yards-such rules as came tc be later more generally accepted ir | this country.
 Now. then, gentlemen" said Judge Reeves, "the court is informed thai this match is to be for the sum of $2, | 300, wagered by Captain Orme against a certain black stallion horse. the same not introduced in evidence. but stated by MT. Cowles to be of the value o1 ! $2.5OO in the open market. "Ahem, gentlemen he resumed 'the court being. as it were, broke | will some one be so good as to lend tho | court a silver coin? Thank you" (tC | WilIiamsl. And now, gentlemen. vii you toss for the order of precedence?
 We threw the coin. and I lost the