Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-01-27
PHILIP
GOLD HILL, NEVADA:
Saturday Evcning,....Jnnunry ~, 1855.


Saturday EvcninE,....Jnuunry -, 1885.
A Private INQUIRY, VERY Politely
PrT.-Hon. Thomas Lane. a member Of
the Assembly delegation from this county,
is regarded as the wit Of the Legislature.
and some of his jokes have the genuine
Abe Lincoln, Tom Corwin relish Of taste.
We have been told of one perpe,rated by
him a few days ago, which is too good to
remain unpublished. 1t is well known
that Haskell, Of Esmeralda, has been the
champion and spokesman Of the Dutch
Flat Company IN the Legislature of this
State. He is a very proper selection for
the place, as he is invariably unsuc-
cessful in opposing such legislation as is
calculated to help other and rival railroad
projects, and at the same time hasten the
work on and completion Of the Central
Pacific. so-called. It is now,f furthermore,
known. that for some time the Dutch
Flat route has been impossible for stages;
while on the Placerville route regular time
is made. Under all this condition Of af-
fairs explained, Mr.. Lanes little COAX on
brother Haskell can be fully appreciated.
Mr.. Lane met Mr.. Haskell on Wednes-
day evening last, in the Assembly cham
Der. and said:
Mr.. Haskell, I would like to ask you
a private question, If you have no objec-
ton"
"Cer,ainly-I have no objection" re-
piled the uniformly urbane member from
the county Of Esmeralda.
81 want to ask you a pirate ques-
tiop," repeated Mr.. Lane; land l don't
want you to feel under any obligation to
answer it, unless you are perfectly willing
and competent to do so. l want it I'M
ders,ood. l would not in,rude upon your
confidential relations-not for the world.
So don't answer me, if you have the
slightest reason to suppose that your re-
ply will in amy manner or degree betray
any Of your business secrets"
What is your question :" exclaimed
Mr.. Haskell ; "if l can answer it, I will"
Now" said Lane. "if I inquire con-
corning a matter about which your in
formation is a secret, and you choose to
answer it by telling me wha, You know in
-, r.a,.ana can rnlx- ,,nnn un fNr
keeping the whole affair between our
selves. strictly"
What is your question? What is
it that you want TO know: :" inquired
Haskell, a little disturbed by this long
preamble. I'm answer your question. if
l can. Out with it."
well. I'll tell you what my question
is" retorted Lane; "at the same time I
hope you will feel under no c~ompulsion to
answer. if a direct reply would conflict
with your confidential relations. l know
its q private question; and perhaps l
ought not to put it TO you. But I'll VEN
ture. It's a private question"
go on with your question:" now said
the Esmeralds Assemblyman ; "wha. in
the devil is it -
It's jus. this" said Lane; land /
trus, it will not be asking too much, or
invading your confidential -
"For Gods sake. tell me what your
question is" said Haskell; ~ can't stay
here all day. III answer you!
Don't you answer me. unless you are
perfectly willing and feel sure you would
no, be betrayins confidential -
Have you got any question you wish
to ask me:" interrupted Haskell, with
mingled DISCUS, and indignation cleaning
from his eyes. "If you have, you'd bet
ter ask it; for I'm in a hurry to go"
II told you I had a question; and its a
private question. Don't reply if the ans
wer would compromise you in any way.
This is the ques,ion-a private question"
And Lane faced himself square round in
front Of Haskell. This private question
l want to ask you is this: Do you know
whether the Dutch Fla, Company intend
opening their route again. next Sum-
mer :"
Haskell bolted leaving lane standing
alone in the center Of the Assembly Cham
Der, and s~oliloquizing thus: II knew it
was a private question. Just my luck
l told him it was a private question. He
can't get mad about it for l a~pologized
Il him in advance. l thought it would
be intrudIng upon his confidential rels-
tions" -
Hello . What are you muttering
abouti" inquired McDougall; jus, then
coming up to the place Of private" in
terview.
We'll l asked Haskell a private ques-
ton ; and as he didn't answer me, l sup
pose I can tell you what it was about"
replied Lane. And so the story was told
and i. has travelled up to Gold Hill for
tie benefit of our circulating print.
We are indebted to Mr.. Haskell for
three or four copies of the State Trea-
surer's report. He will please accept our
thanks.
"THlSos." We will "shoot. on
SIGHT that scallywag in the Assembly