Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-10-24
TOM BENTON.
Seine New Anecdotes of Him. ,


Seine New Anecdotes of Him. 8
Correspondence Of the Cincinnati Commercial.
The pleasantest bit of street in Washing
ton is G street, or rather that block of 1t
which runs between Trinity Church and
the new Methodist metropolitan" on
Four-aud-a-half street.
In this street, where are the residences of
Judge Casey, John c. Riyes, and many
other lights and by-gones, lived Thomas
II. Benton, the great Missouri Senator.
His brown stone house is still an ornament
Of the street, and every day, wrapt in his
great blue coat, folding it round him like
Roman Senator, with bis tall hat pulled
down 10 a peak at the brim, his high, black
stock and standing collar, his large, posi-
tive feet and his long, stately stride, Sena-
tor Benton was seen descending the steps
Of his house, taking turn round the cor
ner into Four-and-a-half street, and thence
descending bloSz to ShillingtOn's at the
west corner.
Shillington Is a periodical dealer, pub
lisher and stationer, popular witty those
whom he loves, and his power of recollec-
lion is great He told a story the other
night, which he declared 10 be new for
print, aud as one Of its participants i5 stili
living, and Q journalist, he may deny it if
it be untrue | give il az ShillingtOn tells
it,
Next door 10 Shillington's, on Pennsyl-
vania avenue, fellow came one day, about
1850, and opened a show. He had music
rlaving at the aoor-a hurdy-gurdy, or
some;biBg-and across the pavement
stretched a gorgeous transparency to the
effect;
"Yhe Rocky Mountain Pony, Captured
by Capt John c. Fremont, United States
Army, Ga Exhibition Here"
at is neither horse, nor stag, nor ante
Tone. but marvellous combination Of them
ali; an extraordinary nOHdescripi, the
puzzle Of the iacuity, The miracle Of ma
lure, The admiration Of the world y
The day after this spectacle opened, DR..
Wallace. now Of the New York Herald,
favori;e Of Genlon, was looking over the
papers In Shillington'5 when Col. Benton,
in his pouderous and stately way, turned
the corner, coming down Four-snd. a-half
street. He heard the music Of the hurdy-
curdy, and, seeing the great painted can
yas over the pavement, he folded his cloak
around him and proceeded TO read the in-
rscription. As he did SO, his eaglish nose
bggan 10 expand; his whiskers, brushed
forwsrd lie guu-swabs, begsTSsO curl his
gray ewes looked famine.
Wallace, iuofensively reading the pa
pers. WAS suddenly disturbed by the Colonel
LAYING violent hands upon him.
Here, cir, | want you, sir" Said IN
his deasest and most dreadful tones.
He put his taloul into Wallace's shout
der. lifting him almost of his feet, showed
him ahead, and poked him along into the
street and up the pavement 81 the door
of the show he took Wallace by the nape
of The coat collar and gave him a chuck up
stains.
HSlop," said the Snowman, "you have
not paid your admission
How much, sir, is it?" said Benton,
terribly; what is your fare, sir
"Quarter Of dollar"
Benton produced thequaiter, and handed
it over graciously. Then hechucked Wal
lace further up stare.
$50 on, sir; ! want you for a witness"
nStOp 4" cried the Snowman below to
Benton, who had pushed him, 81 must
have your fare tool
"a l don't recognize you, sir, cried Ben
ton go on TO Wallace.
Wallace, in great CONSERVATION to know
what dis meant, was propelled into the
show room, while the doorkeeper followed
hard after 10 recover his money.
There stood the EOlly horse, eccentric,
indeed. at his nominations, divided from
The people by a rope Across this rope
the Colouel vaulted. He Exed his talons
IN the nOndescripfs wool, with another
grip upon lie crupper, and, at jerk, tore
away hide, horna and the whole outrigger
Of the quadruped.' q
There" said the Colonel, in a scream,
standing Cpon this HIDE like an eagle upon
q sheer, "Ycu are an imposter, sir You
rlandeT, in this imposEion, an officer OF the
army. give you twenty-iOur hours TO
leave this city. Depart"
lie Elung Wallace aside, paying no more
attention to him, and stalked up toward the
Capitol.
Shillington says that in ten minutes
there wasn't a vcstige Of the Snowman left,
Draw, horse, hurdy-gurdy and canvass
folded their wings like the Arabs, and
silently passed away.
At another time, Corbiu, the Clerk of a
Senate Committee, who had been Benton,
ite, and had recently gone over to the anti.
IEllDD ldtllDls CdLllG lllAD tDllAilAAElOu
while Col. Benton was reading at the cOun
ter. TIE Colonel had his hat of, and i
was upon box. He looked up when
Corbin enter a, and the latter touched his
cap. The Col mel folded his mantle
around him, and, taking care that not 8
fold Cfthe same should be sOiled by Corbin
he swept around the latter with look o
ineffable scoru, AID put on his hat
"CoI. Benton, tomorrow being New
YeSr's l suppose you wils keep oPer
house ~
"Yes," said Benton. yes, sir, l shall
cir, for ma friends"
40 words can tell the manner Of the OLD
man SAYING this. lie was the most cuttint
being in The world.
When the Collins line Of steamships hs'
been subsidized 10y Congress, Benton bit
irriy opposed The same Finally, Franl
Piece vetoed the bill As his Clerk an
nounCed the veto 10 the House, where Ben
ton then was, Ga Bullion started up an
took the former by both hands
"Tell the President ] thank him, sir
Tell him | thank him heartily And, sill
ten him that. if | were President of tn
United States, Ia he damned to - if
wouldn't keep blank vetoes at my side {
check these Infamous corruptions Of Coz
gresa. 80
When Benton had abused FOote, Of Mi
riszippi, 10 the height Of his terrible inve
live, he advanced toward him, and Foo
drew 4 pistol -till On The floor Of the Sc
ale, and presented IT, Senators rushed l
al was confusion.
"Fire, sir, Fire. sir" cried Bento
opening his breast.
Fooie, after peace was restored, spol
gized, that he drew the pistol in self-d
tense.
Every sssassin," Numbered BentC
makes the plea Of se!f-defense. Tha
the assassin's plca-the contriyance OF
coward, aud the subterfuge of asc0undrel
"FOote, surprising, as did every boz
dat Benton always went armed, suggest
the same to account for his own weapon
"No, aiIl' cried Benton; 81 scorn to
IL ] scorn it. Never carried pistol
my life. Never knew anybody but a g
ard TO do so
SMOKING IN railway carriages is 4
prohibited in England. From and a
Ike fret Of October every railway Compi