White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1869-02-04
Correspondents.
tFOr the Chief.)
Letter from Topeka

/
Mn. CHiEF:-Did it ever strike you that all
the butter in Kansas is made by red-headsd
women7 At least, l have found only red hairs
in the butter, since have been here.
l stumbled into old Kingman's room, the
other day. They call him Judge, for short.
Il was several years since had seen him. He
has taken to smoking pipe. and is somewhat
thin in flesh. think be is grieving for the
loss of Bailey from the Bench. He says he
was so used to Baiiey's snore, which was sort
of company to him, and kept him reminded of
the fact that he did not constitute the entire
Court-that there vas some one besides him
self to hear arguments, and decide questions
Of law.
"Ah"' said Kinsman, al have often thought
Bailey must be happy man. There he has
sat and sweetly slept for hours. dreaming of his
salary and his farm. perft city oblivious Of the
gems Of legal eloquencs that were crowding.
like meat from the nozzle Of sausase -stuffsr,
from the lips Of Douthitt, and Brockwsy, and
Gilchriss, and Case, and Huggins-ail the
while be seemed 80 unconscionsly contented,
that have sometimes envied him his peace.
full, unbroken slumbcr"
While in Kingman's room. ! noticed F. P.
Baker, editor of the Record, pass BY, which
reminded me Of . little incident that occurred
the fret tiue I ever met Kingman. 1t was
seven years ago, Sering the session Of the Le-
gislature. He occupied q room in the second
story of the Ritchie Block. Right beside his
door was the foot Of = stairway leading to the
third story. I called there one night with
some friends, and Kngmau was entertaining
US with "reminiscences Of good old deacon be
once knew, Who went West and died, when
suddenly there rose q tremendous racket, as
of some one plunging from the top to the bot
tom of the stairway. The company rushed to
the door and opened it; when sure enough,
there lay q man. He was picked up and
brought in, and discovered to be Baker, then
member of the Legislature from a Northern
County, and, If I mistake net, Speaker of the
House. He was somewhat bruised and bleed
ing, but not seriously hurt. Kingman seemed
to be much concerned about it, and was appa.
ren.ly more hurt than Baker. Finally Baker
begged of him not to mind it, as be was not
killed, and be did not blame him for the ac-
cident.
"That is not what troubles me-" replied
forty years, and this is the first time that a
mean thing has been laid at my door,"
Baker gave such look as imagine Caesar
must have given when he exclaimed, "Et tn
Brute" don't believe he has ever forgiven
Kipgman for that remark.
Shortly after my arrival here, l was walking
in front Of the State Offices, when man With
forehead extending to the neighborhood Of his
bump of selfesteem, came up to me smiling.
and holding out his hand. thought l had
probably seen him somewhere. but could not
remember exactly where; still, could not re-
fuse to shake hands.
"Have you found good place to stop q. .f''
he asked.
"WeIl," l replied, ri have been stopping at
the Tefft House; but discover there is an in
compatibility between myself and the landlord
, regarding the medicinal virtues of alcoholic
spirits. L think shall change my quarters"
$50 to the Capitol House," said he. "Un-
Gle Johnny keeps the best hotel in the city.
Clean beds, good fare, and reasonable prices.
I'll be happy to see You there"
"Arc you employed there nowl" asked.
al am stopping there, for the present." he
answered.
"Ah, you cuss!" / exclaimed, suddenly
thinking recognized him; 81 accepted your
invitation once, when ysu we're following the
business in St. Louis. and lost carpet sack in
the operation; and the only thing that saved
me from the calamity of going to Congress in
consequence, was the fact that the carpet-sack
did not contain military vouchers"
"My dear sir" he mildly replied, +" I could
not possibly have followed the business any.
, where else that do here. What do you
, meant"
care you not runner for the Capitol
Hosse7" asked.
The fellow laughed right in my face, and
said his name was Eskridge, and that he was
| Lieutenant Governor of Kansas! never fell
so foolish in my lie.
A day or two ago, went into house that ]
supposed belonged to one Of the branches of the
{ Legislature, as it had sign over the door tina,
read "Senate." But the men inside did no,
appear to be engaged in Legislative business
go concluded that it mus. either be Com.
! mittee room, or the Senate had formerly met
there, and had neglected to take down the sign
when it removed elsewhere. In fact, two bill.
lizard tables were in full blast, and crowd Of
men we're standing around a counter, looking
upward through glass vessels. suppose they
we're trying to look into Heaven. as heard
} them frequently mention the name of God.
sat down BY the side of person who had
somewhat Of a pngnacious look. and entered
Into conversation. BE said he frequently welt
there for q few moments quiet meditation up.
on the uncertainties and disappointments oi
!. life. Warming up with his subject, he inform.
ed me that he vas possessed Of an ardent
spirit
"Yes," interrupted, "I perceived that,
the moment you breathed in my face.'
"Sir!' he said. sternIy. "this is not time
nor place for levity. L am in earnest. am
possessed Of an ardent. yesrning spirit. tina,
longs for fame-not that I court worldly ap.
plause, but because I desire that my name
may live and be spoken BY men, long after
this noble brow has become food for worms
and things. have sought it on the tented
field, but it Hanked me. l have aspired 70
! Congress, but the lightning rod market was