Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-04-10
Washington Cor. of the Syracuse Journal.
How Mr.. Sumner was Cornered by
an Old Lady.

One instance related to me by widow
shows his really sympathetic nature.
Having bill before Congress for ere
lief, she called at the senate parlor and
sent her card to Sumner, with request
for an interview. The reply was possibly
written with fear OF the foils of fe-
male lobbyist before his eyes. can
not leave my seat to see you" She sent
another request, "Will Mr., Sumner
grant an interview TO Mrs. at any
time, at any place? :" Here was an ap-
peal to his reasonableness, not easily
thrust aside. The response was, "To-
day, at my house, at tour o'clock At
the hour mentioned the rain poured
down; but the lady, though seventy
years of age, would not miss the appoint
ment; and taking her grand daughter
with her, entered the street car, where
she at once saw Mr.. Sumner, though he
did not know her. As he alighted, his
man met him with an umbrella, and he
ran up the street to his house. The
ladies, too, alighted, and if some one
had been looking, he might have seen
the comical sight of Mr.. Sumner run
ming and two ladies pursuing. From
the entrance he bounded up stairs to his
office, and as the man was about to close
the door, the old lady was there asking
admission, urging that she had an ap-
pointment with Mr.. Sumner at that hour.
Being invited into the parlor she de-
clined, saying that was too nice room
to admit dripping cloaks, Mr.. Sumner
soon appeared, and as the lady spoke
her name he said, 80, yes, as if recol-
lecting his promise, but with face any
thing but encouraging, he continued,
Mrs. - | am very busy. The COM
mittee OF foreign relations are going to
have a meeting" But, Mr.. Sumner,
will you give me fifteen minutes ?" mo,
madame, | cannot spare fifteen minutes y
Will you give me ten minutes?" No
madame" These words fell like lead on
her heart but with the energy of last
hope she persisted. "Mr. Sumner, will
you give me five minutes ?" Here was
another appeal to his reasonableness, but
the eyes " fell reluctantly and resigned
ly. Will you listen TO me FIVE minute:
without interrupting me ?" 80 yes
certainly" with more alacrity. With
the utmost brevity she recounted her
trials and losses, and the feeble person.
depending upon her the fact that she
had been bereft of home, and that
while in prosperous circumstances, sht
had spent three years at the front in thu
service OF the government, in connection
with the sanitary commission, for whiel
she never accepted cent" Mr.. Sum
ner, my time is up" Why, madame,
said he, 4" how have you managed to tel
me so much in five minutes Go on.
"No, sir. | will not trespass on YOU
time. All [ have to ask is that wber
my bill comes before your committee
you will not oppose me" But | wan
to hear all about your history. / an
not in hurry now. Some of you
friends should be brought in to aid you
+" l have no friends" she said, 81 am {
stranger here. / have no money and nj
home, and | am so unfortunate as to b,
white; if was black l could get help.
Summers face softened as he said, {"
shouldn't think you would dare TO say
that to me when you come to ask ia
vor," and turning to the young lady, re
marked "Your grandma is the drolles
person / ever saw" But he was amused
with her wit, and felt the force of hel
allusion, and sitting down, as he insisted
she should be seated in the parlor, pa
tiently listened to her recital, and ther
said, " never heard of such complica
ton of misfortunes !" and alluding tc
one of the decisions against her, exciaim
ed with Indignation, That is unconsti
tutional, and ought to be appealed >
But | have no money to pay lawyers.
Admitting she could not appeal, he add
ed, with the warmth of brother, "
will do all can for you" and he did
the bill passed, and now she mourns his
death as one of the props that has sup
ported her courage; for she felt assured
he would aid her again if necessity should
requir'.