The Shasta courier., 1867-03-09
"Reminiscences of Col. Baker.

Everybody knows Patrick Maronev, of
Josephine county, an impulsive son of Erin !;
as generous and warm hearted n fellow as
ever smacked his lips over a glass of
"poteen," or pretty grl or kicked up
shindy at wake or country fair. Unlike
the large majority of his countrymen, Pat is
an uncompromiSing Union man, and owes
his conversion from Democracy, and his
present enlightened political status, to the
pers s,nal efforts of Col. Baker.
During the canvass of 1861, when the
Colonel was stumping the State for the Union
party. he met Patrick somewhere 10 Jose
phere county and was at once recognized
by him his leader in seve. al severe battles
during the Mexican War Rushing up To
the distinguished orator, Maronev gra>ped
his hand, with all the familiar warmth of
Erin's sons and in less time than it takes to
write it, had him introduced to twenty
people, as the bould soger boy who claned
out the bloody GrazerS, and ALWAYS had a
kind word and the half of his bite and sup
for the poor devils that gave ont on the luig
marches Arrah. Colonel,' said Pat,
: bit its mesef that's glad to see YOU. Och.
wirra but 1t was all dry wild me when the
yellow skinned divil had his long lance pint.
ed at me- bread basket, only that YOU whack
ed the wrist av him wild yer sabre Would
ye take small dhrop for the sake of ould
times?' The Colonel knew him at once.
and, as he was electloneerng, of course took
. smile" with him, and was soon enga ged
in recalling the still vivid scenes of the war.
and comparing notes with the old soller, on
their mutual change of fortune since the
close OF the campaign. Having an eve to
business, Baker quietly asked Patrick " if
t,f,1It a ID
mel, said he, " its johnny Maronev that's
voted the Dimcratc ticket these twenty
years. They've always tould me it xas the
poor mans party, and to vote for the Divil.
if he was on the ticket, and, sure | can't
back down now" Col. Baker explained to
him that if he really felt anv gratitude, on
account of real or fancied service, it was now
In his power to cancel the obligation forever.
by voting the Union ticket Just once. y
. am candidate for the Senate" " said the
Colonel, land your vote, Patrick. may elect
me" Maroney hesitated, and glanced fur
lively at his Democratic compani1ns He
thought of the shame of turning his coat of
the taunts of his friends but gratitude. the
strongest impulse Of an Irishman's heart.
gained the mastery, and grasping the hand
of his old commander, he swure. upon his
honor to do it. But. Colonel" said he.
. be the powers of Moll Kelly. its the bitter
est pill that iver | SWALLOWED" >"
Maroney kept his word honoraby lie
swallowed the pill, bitter as it seemed to
him, and it purged him of the false political
ideas engeniered by the unmeanng word
" Democracy" Patrick voted the Union
ticket. lie had the honor of seeing his
loved commander elected to the United
States Senate, assisted by his vote. Four
years have passed since the magic voice of
the statesman was stilled in Geath-four long
years since the kindly, gray-haired soldier
was laid beneath the sod, in the bloody folds
Of the flag he died to save; but his converted
cJmra lie in arms has not returned to De-
mocracy. Patrick Maroney still votes the
Union ticket, and with Judgment that his
countrymen might emulate, showing bis de-
termination never to turn his back upon the
country that gave him shelter. or the flag
that represents it Oregon Sentinel.
A Rpr- NJ II