The Portland daily press., 1868-08-06
MISCELLANY
A Disgusted stump Crater,

A correspondent of the Philadelphia Bull
letin, writing from the Isle of Shoals, tells
the following good story: = .i3 {.
lett Inc amazingly may town OF Boston
one very warm morning, in the cars of the
eastern railroad, and after ride of two
hours, reached the town of Portsmouth. So
cable persons always make acquaintance
while travelling, and it was upon this Jour-
ney that l fell lin with the inimitabe Fitz
Smith, whom l now number in my list of
friends. Fltz is something of politician,
and in spite of his intelligence and jovial
good nature, he is a Democrat. 1t is para
doxical, know, but Fitz Smith himself is a
phenomenon. a r ....-t.s
IL was he who year or two since, while
actively canvassing in local election in
Maine, made an engagement to speak at a
mass meeting in Berwick, upon certain
evening. at which time he expected to carry
conviction to the souls of the unterrfied
BY blunder, perhaps a malicious one, on
the par5 OF his carriage driver he was taken
to Somersworth, just over the border in New
Hampshire, in which State there was to be
no election. Fitz Smith got out Of the car
rage and walked quickly to the only large
building IN the town, repeating the thrilling
portions OF his speech TO himself as he went
along When he arrived the room was full.
anu TWO or three men were upon the plat
form. Fltz walked up the aisle and intro
duclng himself, said: "My name is Fitz
smith. have come to address the meeting"
lie was very cordially welcomed, and he
took his seat. The audience was an uncom-
monty respectable one, and Fitz thought they
were certainly the cleanest and most GEN
teel Democrats he had ever seen. He began
to have mis2iylngs. These grew to doubts.
when one OF the gentlemen expressed a de-
sire to know Ii Brother Fitz Smith would
lead us in prayer?" s ..5
VI course he wouldn't He never heard
OF such proceeding at Democratic meet
Ing. But he held bis peace aud gave no ex
preston to his astonishment, while another
person proceeded with the devotional exer-
cises
When he concluded, Fih was called upon
for a few remarks, and rising he cot rid of
about one-third OF one of the most exciting
democratic speeches ever spoken north of
Texas, before he perceived that the audience
were strangely agitated. He was engaged in
an elaborate disquisltion upon the curve in
the negro shin bone, when man stepped up.
and said, Excuse me, sir, but this is little
out of place here" = .sss.s,i, N s.7
Excuse me-" said Fitz 81 guess 1 know
what am about. Wait till get through"
But you can't go on, sir: we cannot be
disturbed in this outrageous Manner
Disturbed" said Fitz Smith, disturbed Z
why this is legitimate Democratic doctrine
Let me alone; haven't come to the exciting
part yet~ and Filz began again. 2
Really, sir, you cannot proceed; prayer
meeting is no place for such ulscussions.o
"Prayer-meeting! Good gracious; and YOU
DON'T mean to say this is prayer-meeting,
doyou? Isn't this Berwick, and isn't this
Democratic mass meeting?v oL tiiUBI
mo, sir; this is Somersworth, and 1 am
the pastor CT this fock.'' pc -
Mr.. Fitz Smith went back to the hotel sad |
ly, with two thirds soi sone of the best
speeches you ever heard lying like lead upon
ms BRAIN. .fhe Maine election went Repub- 4
lican next day, and Fitz gave up politics in
disgust. ~, .sa. ..... 80. $500,