Evening star., 1924-03-30

ability more marked than his capacity
as lawyer. He was named chief
justice by Gov. Guild in 1911 and
has remained in that capacity ever
since.
1t is a career typical Of American
politics-from the farmhouse up. But
Judge Rugg never has forsaken the
farmhouse. AS soon as his legal
career was established he purchased
run down Redstone hill farm which
he has improved slowly ever since.
1t is only a few acres, but on 1t he
spends all the time he can spare
from his public duties. "Sholan
Lodge" he calls it.
But don't get the idea that he sets
up as q gentleman farmer. The name
he has selected indicates his greatest
hobby-reSearches into the early his
tory of central Massachusetts. He
has given especial attention to the
early days of Sterling and Sholan
was the Indian chief who occupied
the territory when his ancestors
came.
He surprised Sterling people a few
years ago by digging up the fact that
the little farming town, hidden in the
valley of it's five hills, could lay claim
to another distinguished man. Back
in the days of the Puritans there was
Il CongregationaIist MINISTER there
named Mellon.
His son. Prentice Mellon, became
the first chief Justice of the supreme
court of massachusetts and the first
to declare the illegaIity OF slavery
on tn e soil of the Bay state. 1t was
a source of keen pride to Judge RugG
to have such a predecessor from his
home town in the office he held, but
Sterling had long ago forgotten such
u man had lived. Rugg, out of his
painting Of Mellon and presented 1t
to Sterling to be hung in the town
hall in the center village.
Prophecy for RuEE.
He made the dedication address.
He was introduced to his fellow
townsmen by William S. Walker.
chairman of the selectmen, a martial
appearing veteran of '6l.
Il won't he alive when it happens,
Walker said that night, but. mark
my words, there'll be a statue of
Arthur Rugg put up in the Common
some one of these days"
AS for the man himself. He is
heavily built, square jawed fellow of
medium height. The lines of power
are written on his face but softened
by a culture which is the heritage
of Redstone Hill-a book-learning
which is common to the Buttericks,
the Sawyers, the Kendalls and all
mystery. Most Of them have never
pursued their studies beyond the
three years of Sterling High School.
They have little enough time for
reading-but the culture is there. 1t
is that unmistakable atmosphere of
culture about ii which distinguishes
the face of RugS from that OF a man
who could have become the world S
greatest prize fighter 1t is the face
of a fighter none the less.
Leads Strenuous Life.
Only in recent years has Judge
Rugg owned an automobile, and he
seldom drives it himself Instead,
especially during the summer months.
he submits himself to a regime that
is the wonder even of the farmer
folk among whom he lives. 1t is
three miles from Sholan to the near
est street car line for Worcester He
walks every morning when court is in
session and takes a crowded car,
usually sitting in the side seats at the
rear with mill workers on their way
to work.
If il were any one else he might
form an incongruous contrast-the
dignified. middle-aged gentleman in
high hat and frock coat and the
poorly clad textile operatives, wire
workers and clerks, who jostle this