The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-08-14
From the Southern Field and Fireside.
THE POPULAR NJ AN.
BY cERNIx.

situdtcu OH tdIE SuuthCTH siUpC Vi nN hiic-
ghanies. The quiet influence of the day had
so lulled me into dreamy thoughtfulness,
that scarcely noticed the crowded streets
and stirring throng Of the village as enter
ed. However the excited shouts Of g Hur-
rah for Watson" soon recalled my mind to
the remembrance that 1t was election day,
and informed Of the fact that some individu-
al by the name Of Watson was probable the
fortunate candidate.
" Watson," thought I, Watson What
name for Congressman Why il is very
little better than Watts. Go it, Watson"
Hooray for w. W." roared out drunk
en- fellow, stumbling into the streets from
grog-shop.
w. Watson. The name struck me forci-
bly,, and repeated it to myself several times.
/" Why, surely thought, /" it can't be Bill
Watson, Of college times. And yet, now
| that | remember, he was from this State.
But he was of such a fiery, uncompromising
disposition that he aeyer could be elected
corporal of the company, or even secretary
Of The debating society at college. Il cant
/ be our w. w.
After putting up at the inn, and cleaning
my person and apparel from the dust Of tray-
Ell, as well as | could with the implements
for that purpose, conveniently located on
the side porch of the establishment, | in
fquired Of mine host whether there were
within the circle Of his acqaintance an in.
ldividual BY the name Of William Wallace
Watson. The jolly landlord. who evidently
thought he saw through the joke, shut one
eye and replied, "Oh no, NOT by no means.
Never hearn on him."
/ Not having exactly expected an afirma-
tive reply, was rather taken aback BY this
ironical negative, but in moment recover
ed sufficiently to 60 on.
"He isn't about thirty years old, sup
pose, tall and dark p
"0f course not no more'i he's run for
,, Congress and been elected this very day."
And mine host rolled on. chuckling to my
, dry, quiet humour.
| was non-plussed. w. w. Watson, same
J name precisely as our w. W.; tall, dark
and thirty, the same man to fraction, and
Of the same age that ours ought to be by this
time. And then again il could not be. Our
w. W., though at heart clever fellow and
honorable, was unpopular. Tie had some o.
! the warmest friends, but number Of bite
. enemies who continually worked agains
him, some openly, others covertly.
"Look here. Sambo." said to the darkey
: who had taken my horse, " did this Mr.
Watson ever 20 to college at---!''
; "Lor bless you, massa, don't know sir
dzactly. Spect he did. though he's might
:, " educated, sir. tell you.
The more the mystery baffled my research
es, the more interested became in solyin,
s il. Besides Watson had always been ia
= yorite Of mine, and so bending my cours
: up what seemed 10 be Main street, starte
= on voyage Of discovery. w. w. Wat
son, attorney and counsellor at law" 500
: caught my eve. painted over the door Of a
:. office, before which throng Of people wer
= collected. pushed my way through th
! crowd until came Immediately in front ,
: gentleman who seemed TO be the centre
= attraction. Our eyes met. and there was
mutual recognition, though dozen year
had elapsed since our last meeting. The
came the warmest greeting on both part
OF and an introduction OF myself 10 the crow,
le who extended their enthusiasm to nv ow
le person with such hearty good will that b,
gan to think could run right well for Coz
le gress myself.
r. Ten o'clock that night found me snugl
e ensconsed in nv friends cheerful library, Il
d, atmosphere somewhat redolcnt Of Cubs
he perfume. AT length I said, " Well. no,
IN Bill, tell me candidly. how did you ever q
10 to be popular man J" Watson reflected
he moment, his ewes fixed on the ceiling, and
slight smile Of satisfaction on his handson
ln face, before he replied:
e. "It is the story Of struggle. You kno
=. yourself what obstacles | must have e
countered in achieving such position"
81, YES" | said. "you always managed
at keep on hand plentiful stock Of enemies
y college,"
ig Fact" he replied, laughing hearth
u . But now | never allow myself 10 Indu
ly in one. They are, il Is true, continual
springing up here and there, but as soon
tie find il out, take special pains to extc
$, inmate them"
is "How on earth do YOU manage to keep
.. good terms with everybody; What's
y. secret!"
IN Compromise, sir. compromise. ! ha
oi learned TO compromise even with the pref
:. dices Of men. A man, sir, Is as inexoral
,ss in support Of prejudice. as Of rational CO
y yiction, aud frequently more so."
" "when and how did one Of your impct
hts ous nature ever take time to think Of that ]
he should like to profit by your experience
ors well, IL Is seldom a man profits mu
icy by any other experience than his own in
ts science OF human nature, but to amuse y,
The | will give IL. For several years after LEI
RI, ing college, remained, as you knew
m strictly uncompromsing. ! would not
up with the slightest wrong. real or ianei'
The consequence was that there we're G
ng. stantly broils aud difficulties on my han
Ter, A trifliDg slight was sure to occasion 20
70. exhibition Of resentment on my part,
use equivocal word must be explained imme
ute ateiy, and I would rather have lost all
re. friends and fortune than TO leave unpunisl
the smallest act Of injustice not apolosii