Year: 1874

POST.


Our old friend, Judge Tom Farrar, of
Lake Providence, says the New Orleans
Picayune, who is known throughout the
State as a lawyer and jurist of eminent
abilities, and a gentleman of most Iowa
Bile character, tells at his own expense,
and with the keenest gusto, story which
we think too good to lose. 1t appears
that some years ago, while riding thro'
one of the prettiest districts of North Car
olina, he came, about sundown, to a
creek which was so deep as to necessitate
swimming feat. The Judge being a
man of vigorous and invincible determ-
ination, no sooner realized this emergen-
cy than he promptly dismounted, un-
dressed himself with great dispatch, and
attired only in his high plug hat and
pair of spectaces, bestrode his gallant
cob and urged him to the venture.


After a desperate struggle the other
side was gained, and the Judge again
dismounting, this time with profound
sigh of relief, was about to resume his in
teguments, when the horse, prompted by
some diabolcal spirit, started from his
side and trotted slowly down the road.


OF course, the Judge had no recourse
but to trot after him and there upon
there ensued one of the most remarkable
and picturesque chases ever known in
history or tradition. The horse appeared
to have no motive save that of keeping a
certain distance ahead of the Judge,
and of finding some comfortable barn
yard where he might refresh himself af-
ter such gigantic efforts. The Judge,
whatever may have been his ambitions,
confined himself to the effort of keeping
the truant beast in sight. 1t must have
been cheerful and invigorating expe-
rience to see the Judge trotting briskly
along that smooth and sandy road, his
venerable plug hat pulled over his eyes,
and his spectacles bobbing up and down
on his nose. The chase was long, and the
moisture Of the great exertion would
gather on his brow, ard then when he
reached around for his handkerchief,
alas it was not there. All Of which
had the effect Of impressing the Judge
with his very peculiar and unfortunate
situation, and imparting renewed play
lightness to his legs.


So the two bowled pleasantly along,
preserving steady relative distance,
until just as the setting sun was redden-
ing the distant hills and touching the
Judges manly form with gold, the horse
whisked suddenly into a gate and bolted
with eager haste toward stable dimly
visible in the distance.


The farm house sat in grove of trees
whose shadows made a great darkness
around it, and from this grove, as the
Judge was scampering furiously after
his horse and wardrobe, there issued sun
dry yellow dogs, surly Of mien and shag-
gy of appearance. The Judge felt that il
would be utterly impossible, under these
circumstances, to assume that majesty OF
aspect and fearlessness of gaze which is
currently believed to be the correct thing
with dogs, and so, seeing a friendly gate
post near at hand, he gave one wild
bound and reached its summit just as the
leanest and the fercest of the dogs snap
ped viciously at his legs.


When the uproar had subsided, and
the Judge, realizing the absurdity of tho
situation, had regained his customary
frame of mind, female voice was heard
calling from the house


Who's there?"


ga fellow creature in distress, mad
am"


"Where are you?"


"On the gate-post," said the Judge,
beginning to enjoy the joke.


"What can l do for you?"


1t was too much. The Judges old
humor and quizzical love Of merriment
came over him.


"Call off these dogs, and bring me all
the fg-IedUes on the place."