The Red Cloud chief., 1877-11-01
pen h COkONET.

ZEN AMI NOhVNhe
Washington correspondents! Those
who read their missives are wont to
think of them as ubiquitous. inquisitive
politicians-a cross (as the farmers
would say between a caucus-orator and
a detective policeman. Yetgood judges
of mankind have asserted there is more
genius, AID learning, and gentlemanly
deportment to be found among the &C.
cupants of the Reporters Gallery of the
House of Representatives, than among
the "Honorables" upon the floor be-
meath; and the acknowledged superior
among this legion of pen.workers, du-
ring the session of 81, was Terrence
MCGOWAN, the representative of a lead
ing New York paper.
He had entered the fraternity un-
known and unintrOduced, yet, within a
fortnigh's time, he was the most pOpu.
lar man in the gallery. 1t gradually
became known that he was of an old
Kilkenny family, and had been educa-
ted for the legal profession; but that,
having taken a leading part in the po-
litical excitements of 1S4S, he bad been
forced to leave the Emerald Isle, an
exile. On reaching New York, he had
adopted the vocation of letters, and had
gradually worked his way along, until
he came among us, one of "Our Own"
Young, well formed, with symmetrical
features, clear blue eyes and a frank
smile, there was a hopefulness and con-
fidence about him that irresistibly at.
tracted the most art-hackneyed
among US, and we were soon his devO-
ted friends. Often, when some prOsy
member vas declaiming for home read
ers, would he gather us around him out
in the ante-rOOm of u gallery, and
there entrance us by his glowing de-
scription of men and things across the
water, pouring forth classical lore,
strange fantasies, and glowing truths.
without any apparent effort. And
whenever there vas a dearth of Incl.
dent for II Jurisprudence, he was
always able to coin some paragraph
from his mint of thought. Of course,
we all swOre by Terrence McGowan-
Teddy, we called him, by his own re-
q est.
Gradually. as the session advanced
Teddy went into metropolitan society,
and there, also, soon became a favOrite.
Courtly and gracefulin his movements,
his i!lumined understanding and quiet
demeanor could but attract notice, and
many a belle would gladly turn from
wealthy senator or well-cOnnected
young officer, or rich contractor, to
dance with the penniless reporter.
The members also found out Teddy's
merits. Frequently was he hidden to
a secret sitting at the room of some rep
%resentative who wished to make a
speech, and vas delighted to pay liber-
ally for having dry, skeleton ideas
clothed with vitality and inspired with
life. Many an effective speech in the
Congressional Globe of that session, the
thoughts of which ring like a volley of
musketry, was, in reality, the speech of
Teddy MCGOWAN. Nor had he a more
profitable patron than the Hon. Samp-
son Edward, formerly of the great New
York firm of Edward, Raglan & Co.,
but then representing a rural district
not far distant, in which he had pitched
his tent in the shape of a many-gabled
villa. Having purchased his nomina-
ton and election, the Honorable Samp-
son came to Washington determined to
"cut a figure" (as his wife expressed liz,
in metropolitan society, yet could not
rise above the dignity of a vulgar frac.
ton. Their house was richly furnished,
their repasts were epicurian, their car
riage was not surpass ed; and yet they
would have been kept in the public ex-
ternal circle of society had it not been
for their only child.
Lovely Ellen Edward! A bright and
happy heart was tabernacled in her
fairy form, and, strange to say, the mob.
bish weakness of her parents had be
come SO apparent to her in girlhood,
all p~retension had been banished from
her composition. Blessed with a strong
mind and a lofty will, she had improved
the educational advantages lavlshed
upon her; and when she made her de-
but at Washington, her fond parents
saw with pride that she became the
belle of the season. Titled diplOmatlsts,
courteous congressman and frivolous
fortune. hunters-captivated by her
charms or her fortune-knelt at her
feet. But no one made the least inn.
preston on her virgin heart, until she
saw Terrence MCGOWAN. They loved,
almost at sight.
In her beauty. and intellect, and pu.
rity of heart, the man of the world
found the long sought ideal OF his
dreams-he could stake his existence
here, his hope of happiness hereafter,
upon her love. And she. who could
appreciate the finer feelings and could
honor genius-defying the vanities OF
life-felt that the penniless reporter
was the man that, OF all men. she could
love. ave. could honor and obey. At
last. encouraged by her smiles. he told
his love, and she-what else could she
do she reciprocated it.
The elder Edward, not dreaming OF
this growing attachment, rather encour.
red the visits of MCGOWAN to his house.