Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-02-21
As Good as a Senator.

the Grampain hills. Well, he was my
lineal ancestors. I am positively GER
tain of it, because no one has ever been
able to successfully contradict me.
But an ancient and honorable name
does not afford satisfactory solution
of the bread and butter enigma. It
was SO in my case, and at the age of
twenty-five, found myself without q
relative in the world, and with only FIVE
hundred dollars in my pocket. But I
had just been admitted to the bar, and
my sweetheart was the prettiest little
schoolmistress in Pennsylvania. AS a
matter of course I was ready for an
immediate marriage. Only one thing
stood in the way, and that obstacle was
Katie Jones. That young lady OBJ
jected. She quoted Horace Greeley,
advised me to eco West" and vague
ly limited that, n'fve orsix years time,
she might be willing to marry the right
kind of man; but he must be Senator,
or a Representative at the very least.
To make long story short, took
Katie's advice, removed to Western
state, and in short time, worked my
self into fine practice. Six years
elapsed and l determined to wait no
longer. l would 60 East, present my
self unexpectedly to Katie, and claim
her for my bride. Perhaps the flight
of time had toned her ambition little,
and she would be willing to accept the
rising lawyer instead of the senator.
These reflections were still uppermost
in my mind when the train stopped at
Progress Station. A glance convinced
me that l was the only arrival. A cou-
pie of red faced gentleman, who were
evidently waiting for somebody. hur-
riedly advanced, and tho elder of the
two rather doubtfully said:
d" Mr.. Norval?"
That is my name," replied, con-
siderably amazed, for Progress was Ka-
ties new place of abode, and had nev-
er before set foot in the village.
81 knew you would come" remarked
my new acquaintance. "Boggs is my
name, Mr.. Norval, and my friend here
is Mr.. Smith"
graciously acknowledged the intro
duction, and calmly waited for more
light.
"We felt sure of you," continued
Mr.. Boggs, "and we had a lot of hand
bills printed this afternoon. Perhaps
you would like to see one."
I accepted the hand bill, and read it
with wonder and delight. 1t an
nounced with great many flourishes
of the usual placard rhetoric. That
"Senator Norval, the great Orator of
the West" would address the citizens
of Progress, that evening at 8 O oclock.
l knew Senator Norval intimately and
he had once played off a capital practi-
cal joke ut my expense. He was from
my adopted state, and was then in Wash.
ington. I saw splendid opportunity
of getting even with my senatorial
friend, and of mystifying Miss Katie
Jones.
1t is now O'clock" I observed,
looking at my watch. II suppose the
hotel is not far from the hall ?"
"Only a few yards" said MIR. Smith.
"We will accompany you and intro
duce the other members of the commit
tee."
found the committee and q good
supper awaiting me at the hotel, and q
few cautious inquiries satisfied me that
in all probability not a solitary individ-
ual in the village had ever seen the
real Senator. Still 4 trembled for the
success of my audacious attempt.
had made few stump speeches
before leaving home, and, as accom-
panied the committee to the hall,
managed to recall number of my best
points, and few telling anecdotes.
The band struck up lively air as we
entered the hall, and, by the time
had assembled the pulpit-like stand, I
was ready for anything.
How I looked, and what 1 said, will
never be fully known by me, but my
effort was loudly applauded, and, at
its conclusion, several hundred people
crowded the doorway to shake hands
with me. I was overwhelmed with
compliments. Fortunately for me, Ka-
tie Jones was not present.
The next day was Saturday, and, at