Year: 1874

Our old friend, Judge Tom Farrar,
OF Lake Providence, says the New
Orleans Ptcdy1lne, who is known
throughout the State as lawyer and
jurist of eminent abilities, and q gen.
tleman of most lovable. character, tells
at his own expense, and with the
keenest gusto, story which we think
too good to lose. 1tappears that some
years ago, while riding through one
of the prettiest districts of North
Louisiana, he came, about sundown,
to creek which was so deep as to
necessitate "a swimming feat. The
Judge being man of vigorous and
invineible determination, no sooner
realized this emergency than he
promptly dismounted, undressed him.
self with great dispatch, and attired
only in his high plug hat and a pair
of spectacles, bestrOde his gallant cob
and urged him to the venture.


After q desperate struggle the other
side was gained, and the Judge again
dismounting, this time with a pro-
found sigh or relief, was about to re-
sumo his integuments, when the
horse, prompted by some diabOlical
spirit, started from his side and trot-
ted slowly down the road.


or course, the Judge had no recourse
but to trot after him and thereupOn
there ensued one of the most remark
able and picturesque chases ever
known in history or tradition. The
horse appeared to have no motive save
that of keeping certain distance
ahead Of the Judge, and of finding
some comfortable barn-yard where he
might refresh himself after such gi-
gantic efforts. The Judge, whatever
may have been his ambitions, con-
fined himself to the effort of keeping
the truant beast in sight. 1t must
have been q cheerful and invigorating
experience to see the Judge trOtting
brlskly along that smooth and sandy
road, mis- venerable plug hat pulled
over his eyes, and his spectaeles bob
bing 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
the effect OF impressIng the Judge
with his very peculiar and unfOrtu-
nate situation, and imparting renewed
play and lightness to his legs.


So the two bowled pleasantly along,
preserving a 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 q
gate and bolted with eager haste to-
ward a stable dimly visible in the dis
tance.


The farm house sat in a grove of
trees whose shadows made a great
darkness round it, and from this
furiously after his horse and ward
robe, there issued sundry yellow dogs,
surly of mein and shaggy of appear
ance. The Judge felt that it would be
utterly impossible, under these cir
cumstances, to assume that majesty
of aspect and fearlessness of gaze
which is currently believed to be the
correct thing with dogs, and so, see
ing friendly gate post near at hand,
he gave one wild bound and reached
its summit Just as the leanest and
fiercest of the dogs snapped viciously
at his legs.


When the uproar had subsided, aud
the Judge, realizing the absuTdity
of the situation, had regained his GUS
tomary frame of mind, female voice
was heard calling from the house:


"Wbo's there?"


"a fellow creature in distress, mad
am"


"Where are you ?"


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


HWhat can 1 do for you ?"


It was too much. The old Judges
humor and quizzical love of merri-
ment came over him


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