Year: 1874

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of Lake Providence, says the New
Orleans Picayune, who is known
throughout the State as a lawyer and
jurist of eminent abilities, and a gen
tlenan of most lovable character
tells at his own expense, and with
the keenest gusto, story which VIC
think too good to lose. 1t appears
that some years ago, while riding
through one of the prettiest districts
of North Louisiana, he came, about
sundown, to a creek which was so
deep as to necessitate a swimming
feat. The Judge being a man Of
vigorous and invincible determine
ton, no sooner realized this cmer.
gency than he prom pity dismounted,
undressed himself with great dis
patch, and attired only in his high
plug hat and pair Of spectacles, be-
strobe his gallant cob and urged him
to the venture.


After desperate struggle the
other side was gained, and the Judge
again dismounting, this time with a
profound sigh Of relief, was about to
resume his integuments, when the
horse, prompted by some diabolical
spirit, started from his side and trot-
ted slowly down the road.


OF course, the Judge had no re-
course but to trot after him; and
thereupon there ensued one of the
most remarkable and picturesque
chases ever known in history or ira
dition. The horse appeared to have
no motive save that Of keeping a Ger
tain distance ahead of the Judge,
and of finding some comfortable
barn-yard where he might refresh
himself after such gigantic efforts.
The Judge, whatever might have
been his ambitions, confined himself
to the effort of keeping the truant
beast in sight. 1t must have been a
cheerful and invlgorating experience
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 upon his nose. The
chase was long, and the moisture of
great exertion would gather on his
brow, and 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 and lightness to his legs.


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


The farm house sat in a grove of
trees whose shadows made a great
darkess round it, and from this grove,
as the Judge was scampering flri-
ously after his horse and wardrobe,
there issued sundry yellow dogs, sur
ly of mein and shaggy of appearance.
The Judge felt that it would be ut
terly impossible, under these circum-
stances, to assume that majesty of
aspect and fearlessness of gaze which
is currently believed to be the cor
rect thing with dogs, and SO, seeing
friendly gate post near at hand, he
gave one wild bound and reached its
summit just as the leancst and fierc-
est of the dogs snapped viciously at
his legs.


When the uproar had subsidized,
and the Judge, realizing the absurdi-
ty of the situation, had regained his
customary frame Of mind, female
voice was heard calling from the
house:


"Who's there?"


"a fellow creature in distress,
madam"


"Where are your"


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


"What can do for you?"


1t was too much. The Judges
old humor and quizzical love of mer-
riment came over him.


"Call off these dogs, and bring me
all tile .tg-leaves on the place.