Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-07-06
AN ODD CHARACTER.

The stories Of Tom Marshall, the Com
gressionsl wit from Kentucky, ere nu-
nsrous, and some Of them have been SO
often told that he would be bold man
who should attempt to retail them for Il
newspaper. Tom Marshall is dead, and
sll kind men, who can appreciate his
great heart and mind, hope shat Christ.
who died for sinners. and who will be
their Judge, has found means TO cure and
save so worthy a creature of His hand
How often has Marshall, faultless in
dress. calm and perfectly sober, stood on
the platform before hushed and expec!ant
audience. Of the beauty, fashion, and best
manhood Of Kentucky, and, with every
nerve OF his boing braced fer the supreme
effort, his eyes flashing and his form tow
ering, told how he had been before a
q magistrate and sworn on the holy evan
gelists never again to touch or taste in
toXicaiing drink. .s
seem to see him now, pale with grow
ing excitement and unusual abstinence,
with his hands lifted as in Thanksgiving
and prayer, apparently willing TO die
rather than go back TO the old degrade
tion Of the cup, while his audience was
thrilled as he shouted out his JOY at self
emancipation-now with streaming eyes
that he was forever free from a drunk
ards life free and free forever from
the horror of drunkard's death. Some
times for three months this eestacy and
inspiration would last, aud then the
need of artificial stimulation for so over
wrought condition would return, and
Tom, 'Old Tom Poor Tom, as men
called him would be drunk again.
Once Henry 3ascome, LII. D., the
able and eloQent Bishop OF the Metho-
dist Church, saw him leaning for support
against the outer wills of Methodist
chapel at night, and said, not knowing
him +: 81 suppose you are n Methodist,
from your attachment to the building ?"
II lean that way, Bishop said Tom, in
his best congressional style "give (hic)
me your arm and | II see you as fur as
my door," which the Bishop did.
Professor Shannon, since President OF
the Kentucky University, and now OF
st. Louis, once tried to reproye him as he
staggered up the stops Of the Harrod sburg
Court II ouse. "0h deari Mr. Marshall"
hs began, drunk again 90 " Never
m ind,' said Tom, $50 am IT, and ho
went in, and stesdying himself by a table
made speech which saved man from
the gallows.
Like Daniel Webster, who once soaked
up pint Of brandy in loaf of bread and
ate the bread, being retained in a case
during the trial Of which he had promised
not to drink anything, Marshall was
brillisn. in his cups, and only at the heel
of a weeks CONSTITUTIONAL did he ever
get so oblivious of facts as to make the
following story of the Battert0n House n
possibility. 1t has been told in many
ways, but Mr.. Talbot who was his init
mate friend, says that this is the true
version
Tom had gone to his room, after lect
uring group of medica students on the
vice Of drinking, butIsoon came out partly
dressed, and called excitedly for the land
lord. That gentleman hastily responded,
and Tom said: "Ain't responsible
'nough to have a private room What
dye put that fellow in there with me
for 2" e5Q .a49 e--
''It is a strictly private room, Mr..
MARSHALL" said mine host. .. t0.ai
"Tain't SO foller's in there" persisted
Tom.
The landlord went to see, and Tom,
holding his arm, soon had him in the
middle of the room, opposite large and
handsome mirror. "There," said Tom,
'tOld you so. See him yourself, don It
you ?" Don't think I'm drunk now, do
you ? Two Of 'em. by George One of
'en 'nough like you to be yeur brother,
t'other one the drunkenest, silliest looking
fool ever did see !"
Marshall, when sober, said the whole
thing was made up TO tease him, which
was not improbable, save that his ten
dency to shoot made jokes about him
very like torpedo warfare-dangerou to
the holder.