The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-09-21

A f1ippant young Democratic orator
had an appointment to make speech
in small town down on the Illinois
Central Railroad the other night. The
meeting was called to order, and mount
ing the platform, the orator commenc-
ed by saying: There are only a few
of us here, and if am not mistaken all
of you are Democrats. Now, 1 don't
see much use of making a Democratic
speech to Democrats. They will vote
for Tilden and Hendricks anyhow. 1
wish that there were some Republicans
here, so that could talk to them and
convert them. Are there any Republi-
cans here?"
"Yes, SIR" responded heavy voice
from the rear of the hall. The voice
was that of stout built farmer resid-
ing in the neighborhood, who had drop
ped in merely to see the show. He was
plain-looking man, but he had that in
his face which denoted that he was no.
body's fool. "Yes, sir,'' responded
the heavy voice, 'sthere are lots of Re-
publicans in this neck of woods; but 1
believe Pm the only one now in this
hall.''
'sGlad to hear. it-glad there's at
least one Republican here," spoke up
the oratorical youth; land now will you
be good enough to come up here and
take front seat? want to talk with
you and convert you.''
''I've no objection to coming up and
taking front seat" said the heavy
voice, as its owner came striding up
the aisle; "but reckon that there's two
sides in the converting part of the busi-
ness"
sWe'll see about that" replied the
orator, rubbing his hands and trying to
look like Daniel Webster.
go on with your word-mill-
ready" said the farmer, taking seat
directly in front of the orator.
"Well, now, Mr.. Republican''-here
the speaker inflated his lungs with
fresh supply of atmospheric force
where did you come from, anyhow"
Il came to Illinois from York State
from Columbia county, where Sammy
Tilden was born and raised. and know
him and his folks just like book
ssDo, ehpn
"Yes 1 do, and what's more, don't
know any good of him, either.'
mo matter about Tilden just now
we'll talk about that by and by. What
l desire to ask you now is, why are you
RepublicanP''
''Well now, that's pretty big ques-
ton to answer, and it would take good
many words and some little time to do
it. AS / understand the programme,
you are the speaker for this evening,
but if you want to give up the time to
me, I'll make the speech. / think /
might, in answering the question why
am Republican, tell you and these
other fellows here'a thing or two that
might be new, interesting and instruc-
tive.n
"a modest proposition, certainly"
sneered the young orator, curling his
mustached lip. I'VE don't propose to
turn this into Republican meeting
that isn't down in the bill"
''All right. came up here at your
request, and am merely passenger in
this stage-coach. Drive on.''
"Well, Z" resumed the orator in BAN
tering manner, " since you are Re-
publican, will you tell us how you feel
anyhow?n
''Certainly,n said the farmer, rising
to his feet, indingnatly 81 see that every
man in this room but myself is Demo-
crat, and if you really want to know
how feel, I'll tell you. l feel feel
well, to speak the truth, 1 feel very
much as think a big, well kept Tom
cat would feel if he should be suddenly
thrown into den of hungry rats, and
the boss rat was nibbling the end of his
tail.''
Thereupon the farmer turned and
slowly walked out, leaving the unhappy
stump-speaker and his friends to pond
er at their leisure whether it is not a
little risky to ask Republicans foolish or
impudent questions.
This is true story, but, not being
copyrighted, our Democratic cotempo-
raries need have no scruples about re-
publishing it.