Year: 1874

Our old friend, Judge Tom Farrar,
of Lake Providence, says the New
Orleans Picay1e'ae, who is known
throughout the State as a lawyer and
jurist of eminent abilities, and a gen.
tleman of most lovable 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
through one of the prettiest districts
of North Louisiana, he came about
sundown, to a creek which was so
deep as to neeessitaie a swimming
feat. The Judge being a man of
vigorous and invincible determine
tion, no sooner realized this emer-
gency than he promptly dismounted,
undressed himself with great dis
patch, and attired only in his high
plug hat and a pair of spectacles, be-
strobe his gallant cob and urged him
to the venture.


After desperate struggle the 9th
er side was gained, and the Judge
again dismounting, this time with a
sigh of relief, was about to resume
his integuments, when the horse,
prompted by some diabolical spirit,
started from his side and trotted
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 Ger
tain distance ahead of the Judge,
and of finding some comfortable
barnyard where he might refresh
himself after such gigantic efforts.
The Judge, whatever may have been
his ambition, confined himself to the
effort of keeping the truant beast in
sight. 1t must have been cheerful
and invigorating experience to see
the Judge trOtting briskly along that
smooth and sandy road, his venera-
BILE 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 exer-
ton would gather on his brow, and
then, when he reached around for
his handkerchief, alasi it was not
there. All of which had the effect
of impressing the Judge with his We
ry peculiar and unfortunate situa-
tion, and imparting renewed play
and hghtness to his legs.


So the two bowled pleasantly
along, preserving a steady relative
distance, until lust as the setting sun
was reddeniDg the distant bills and
touching the judges manly form
with gold, the horse wlH1isked sud
denly into a gate and bolt,Hd with
eager haste toward a stable only
visible in the distance.


The farm house sat in a grove of
trees whose shadows made a great
darkness round it, and from this
grove, as the Judge was scampering
furiously after his horse and ward
robe. there issued sundry yellow
DOGS. surly of mien and shaggy of
apSearance. The Judge felt that it
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
IS the leanest and iereest of the dogs
snapped viciously at his legs.


When the uproar had subsidized,
and the Judge, realizing the absurd
.ty of the situation, had recovered
his customary frame of mind, fe-
male voice was heard calling from
he house:


"Who's there?"


GA fellow creature in distress, mad
I'M"


."Where are you?"


"On the gate-post," said the
Judge, beginning to enjoy the joke,
aWhat can I do for you"


II was too much. The Judges
old humor and quizzical love Of mer-
-iment came over him.


"Call of these dogs and bring ne
ii the 6g-lssYss On the V'sO~