This anecdote about a great American begins with a
short account of his life and work. It goes on to
tell about his appearance and habits and then
relates the story that illustrates something fine
in his character. Judge Marshall was born in 1755
and died in 1835. By recalling what events happened
during his lifetime and what great men were his
contemporaries, you will get a clearer idea of the
setting of the story. In reading it try to picture
costumes, houses, etc.
Among the great men of Virginia, John Marshall
will always be remembered with honor and esteem.
He was the son of a poor man, and his early life was spent
in poverty; but he was not afraid of labor, and everybody
saw that he was a person of more than common ability. 5
Little by little he rose to distinction, and there was
scarcely any public office in the gift of the people that he
might not have had for the asking. He served in the legislature
of Virginia; he was sent as envoy to France; he was
made Secretary of State; and finally he became Chief 10
Justice of the United States. When he died at the age of
eighty, he was one of the greatest and most famous men
in America.
My father knew him well and loved him, and told me
many things about him. He was very tall and thin, and 15
dressed very plainly. He wore a suit of plain black cloth,
and common yarn stockings, which fitted tightly to his legs
and showed how thin they were. He was a very great
walker, and would often walk out to his farm, which was
several miles from Richmond. But sometimes he went on
horseback, and once he was met riding out with a bag of
clover seed on the saddle before him.
His manners were plain and simple, and he liked to talk
about everyday matters with plain country people and
laugh and jest with them. In a word, he was so great a man 5
that he never thought of appearing greater than other
people, but was always the same unpretending John
Marshall.
It was the fashion among the gentlemen of Richmond to
walk to market early in the morning and buy fresh meats 10
and vegetables for their family dinners. This was a good
old fashion, and some famous gentlemen continued to do
so to the end of their lives. It was the habit of Judge
Marshall, and very often he took no servant with him. He
would buy what he wanted and return home, carrying his 15
purchases on his arm; and on one of these occasions a little
incident occurred which is well worth telling.
Judge Marshall had made his purchases at the market
and was just starting for home when he heard some one
using very rough and unbecoming language. He turned 20
round and saw what was the cause of the hubbub. A
finely dressed young man, who seemed to be a stranger,
had just bought a turkey in the market. Finding that
it would not be carried home for him, he became very angry.
Judge Marshall listened a moment to his ungentlemanly 25
talk, and then stepping up to him asked very kindly,
"Where do you live, sir?"
The young man looked at the plainly dressed old countryman,
as he supposed him to be, and then named the street
and number where he lived. 30
"I happen to be going that way," said Judge Marshall
with a smile, "and I will take it for you."
The young man handed him the turkey and left the
market, followed by Judge Marshall. When they reached
the young man's home, Marshall politely handed him the
turkey and turned to go.
"What shall I pay you?" asked the young man. 5
"Oh, nothing," answered Marshall. "You are welcome.
It was on my way, and no trouble at all." He bowed and
walked away, while the young man looked after him,
beginning now to see that he had made a mistake.
"Who is that polite old gentleman who carried my turkey 10
for me?" he asked of a friend who was passing.
"That is John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United
States," was the answer.
The young man was astounded and ashamed. "But
why did he offer to carry my turkey?" he exclaimed. 15
"To give you a reprimand and teach you to attend to
your own business and behave like a gentleman."
This little anecdote will show you the character of John
Marshall; and I cannot believe that it was his wish merely
to reprimand the foolish young man. He was too sweet-tempered 20
and kind to take pleasure in reprimanding anyone;
and I have not a doubt that he carried the turkey
simply from the wish to be obliging.
--_Stories of the Old Dominion._
1. What were the offices that Judge Marshall held?
What great men did he probably meet and talk with?
What important events happened during his lifetime?
Describe his appearance, character, and habits.
2. Relate the story about the turkey. Did the young
man mean to be disagreeable? About whom was he
thinking? What was the difference between his point
of view and Judge Marshall's? Why did Judge
Marshall carry the turkey for him?