American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-02-24
An Amusing Scene in the Diplomatic
Gallery OF the Senate.

1t is generally known that Senators and
their families and their special friends
have access to the Diplomatic Gallery in
the Senate, if it is not full of foreigners,
and any stranger may be admitted to it by
the request of a Senator, if there is room
The Diplomatic Gallery is about the worst
place in the whole chamber to sit Only
the face of the Vice-President can be
seen, and the backs of all the Senators,
which may have been brought about by
an architect who had mind above his
trade. AS for hearing anything in that
place, it is simply impossible. Perhaps
that is just as well, too. But the DiplO-
matte Gallery, as a name, is rather aristo-
cratic. 1t is fenced off from the other
galleries, and at first it has a rather dis
tinguished look The country constitu-
ents of Senators, or the female portion,
think it a great honor to sit in the DIplo-
matte Gallery. They sit up very straight,
look severe, and wonder if anybody will
take them tor the wives or daughters of
foreign Ministers. The front seat is
with one exception only, the Presidents
and their families, and for distinguished
foreigners accompanying them.
A day or two ago one of the Senators, l
have not heard which, although l believe
it must have been Conkling, had two
ladies from the rural districts which he
had ensconced in the second row of seats
in the distinguished gallery. Presently
Sir Edward Thornton came in with Rus
sell Quincy. The former took a seat di-
rectly in front of the two ladies, and they
were evidently anxious to know who the
gentlemen were. The Senator, turning
around, noticed their curiosity and wrote
the following on a card and sent it to the
ladies by page:
"That handsome old duffer directly in
front of you, with white hair and white
whiskers, is Sir Edward Thornton. A nice
old fellow, but he drinks too much"
The page, an impairment little cuss, as
they all are did not wait to get half the
directions, but started off. OF course, he
could not get into the gallery, and so he
handed it to the doorkeeper with direc-
tions to deliver it, and was off again on
the run. The doorkeeper, in a hasty
glance at the card, saw the name of Sir
Edward Thornton, and without reading
further, went down to the front seats and
handed the card to Thornton. He adj
justed his eyeglasses, and proceeded to
read it. There was at first look of per
plexity on his face. and then it was dis
PEELED by look of annoyance or sanger.
Then he got up and red the card again.
and then sat down. Then he handed the
card to Quincy, who had also white hair
and whiskers, and with his motions
SttIHttt W say Ills utStIlDcS y ou, Dul
my name is mentioned 1t is evidently
intended for you" Quincy shook his
head, handed back the card, and seemed
to say, No, it is not for me- 1t de-
scribes you and mentions your name.
Handsome old dulfer,' drinks too
much, very good--ha ha ha ~ Then
they both went out into the corridor,
laughing as they went. The doorkeeper,
in the meantime, noticed the actions of
the two gentlemen, and became appre-
hensive that something was wrong: He
therefore approached them and said
Gentlemen, perhaps ! have made a
mistake with that card. ="
oh, not ut all, not at ALL said Cur
ney I" this is right. 1t is intended for
Sir Edward. 1t is all right, my man-
handsome old duffer ha, ha ha." ,
They didn't go back into the gallery
that day, bat it is matter of surprise TO
the Senator that the doorkecper and that
page are still kept on the rolls of the
Senate by the Sergeant alarms. - lTaA
tHqt9H Cor. Cincinnati C0HHclcfaL
DIVORCES at Indianapolis are quoted at