Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-04-21
MISC Il l. L A N Y.
ELECTIoMEERING AMECD0TEE.


knowledge of human nature, and greater
skill in electioneering than Hon. Robert p.
Letcher, of KY, the present Minister to
Mexico. Such was his success in this line
that all the traditionary tales of stump
speeches all instances ofuncommon adroit-
ness, have by common consent been father
ed upon him.
1t is said, that in one canvass for the
Legislature, about the commencement OF
his career, he had very shrewd opponent
"a man by no means his equal in elo-
quence, but possessed of winning ways
with the people. Letcher's friends told
him, with evident apprehension. of his
competitors immense success in the out
skirts of the country: how that by treating,
log rolling, fattering the woman and kiss
ing all the children, he was carrying all be-
fore him. By chance, the two candidates
met at the house Of very influential far
mer whose support each felt would be al
most certain to decide the election. Both
desired therefore to get into his good graces.
As frequently happens. 'the grey mare was
the better horse" and the would be legisla-
tors saw that the wife must first be won.
After supper, they were assiduous in their
endeavorS to amuse their host and hostess;
both exerted themselves to the utmost, and
as far as appearances went, neither seemed
to have any decided advantage. The chill
dren, cattle, sheep, COWS, sc, were all talked
of, and the pride Of the farmer and his wife
duly fattered.
Bed time came, and the candidates wen!
to sleep in different apartments. Letcher's
opponent secretly determined to be up be-
times to assist the good woman with her
mornings milking. That, he thought,
would be polite stroke, for Letcher, la
zy lawyer, as he supposed, would sleep
soundly till breakfast. He arose in pretty
good season and went to the yard, felici-
tating himself upon. his shrewdness, when
the first glance at the state of affairs gave
him an electric shock, and tumbled his
air castles into ruin over his head. There
were two pals already filled with the foam
ing milk. and the last COW was undergoing
the operation as she had young calf, &
was rather restive, Letcher was making
himself useful by holding away the cali
with one hand while with the other he
prevented the cows tushy tail from sweep
ing the good woman's face The late can
didate saw that he was ''goner," and af-
ter a few spiritless observations sad.
died his horse, and under plea of ur-
gent business, rode off before breakfast. II
is needless to add that Letcher came off VIC
torious.
On another occasion, his claims to office
were contested by a-man, who, in addition
to various other qualifications, was an ac-
complshed fiddler. His playing was SUI
perb, but from long habit it was done with
his left hand only. There was social gath
ering among the hills, and dancing, whis-
key, and story telling, with some quasi
amatory episodes among the younger peo-
pie, were the principal amusements. Letch-
er could dance and tell story to perfection
or fatter mountain belle to the complex
ion of boiled lobster, but he could not
fiddle and his rivals really excellent mu-
sic was SO glorious in contrast with the
scratching Of gourd fiddles and strumming
of banioes, that the hill tigers were huge
ly delighted. Lctcher ineditated, a thougs.t
occurred to him, and in few moments, by
some artful suggestions, his counter plot was
laid and commenced.
The happy fiddler was drawing his long
and graceful bow in supreme good humor,
when small party of the toughest 'tigers'
came up as tho ugh they would speak to
him. He laid down his bow, and was just
opening his mouth TO accost them, when
their spokesman troke out
"Now stranger your music is good, but
you ken do better; you've gin US enough
of your left-hand fiddlin, now gin us a
touch of your right-hand music, same as
yer do down in Lankster.'
The musical candidate vowed that he
could not play with his right hand, that he
was born left-handed.
"No, dog-on We, folks has seen yer fd-
din right handed in the city, and they say
yer music is huckle5erry above the per.
simmon; that yer think is good enough fol
the hills. Blast yer rufle shirt chaps,
sayl Give us as gcod as yer give them, OIL
by that horn spoon your old gourd'll go tc
heat the whiskey toddy blamed quick!'''
1t was Of no use to reIterate his denials
The crowd, with their natural jealousy o.
the town folks, were determined to decide
against him. His iiddling was boke up,
TO save his instrument from the Vandals
he had to bsat retreat. Letcher remain
ed in undisturbed possession Of the field!
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