In 1889, he dropped in where the election was being held in Tabor precinct, and made some remark about what the governor of North Carolina said to the governor of South Carolina. He had about a pint of that now obsolete beverage in a quart bottle, and passed it to the nearest member of the board. It went the rounds and Phil replaced the cork and put what was left in his pocket. "Gentlemen," he asked, "would you like to hear a song?" Being assured that they would be delighted he sang, "The Irish Exile," in a fine tenor voice. Then he emptied the bottle and mounted his horse. As he rode away he announced that he was going over the Castle Rock precinct to defeat Runey Campbell for constable. He failed in his mission. Phil had a little case in district court over some water rights, and he secured the services of Judge Heist. As the case was about to go to the court, the Judge said in that wheezy voice of his: "Well, Phil, I guess it is about time to give me a retainer." Phil asked how much and when the judge said, "About twenty dollars," Jurish nearly had a fit. He paid the money which then was a big sum, after which he' exclaimed : "Well, Judge, we will sure win the case now, won't we ?' "No-o" drawled the judge as he tucked away the twenty, "No-o -- we will lose the case, Phil." "What,"' yelled the surprised client, as the money disappeared into the judge's watch pocket, "me paying you twenty to tell me I am going to lose?" "Well," drawled Heist, "it is worth something to know it in advance."