Morris tribune., 1881-01-13
TOM. CORWIN.

New Story of the Great Buckeye Otaror.
In book recently published containing
"reminiscences and anecdotes of the bar of
Cincinnati, the following anecdote is given
Of Corwin:
When Tom Corwin was in congress from
the Warren county district he used to be
disturbed very much by hearing so much
Boosting and Dragging from state of Maryland
members of the wonderful greatness of the
eastern shore of Maryland. Other men,
bers of congress were bored as well as Cor
win by the eastern shore fellows continually
harping upon their great eastern shore, and
their great constituency-theirg great people!
One day an eastern shore member was
speaking on some measure, and Tom de-
clared to some of his fellow members in his
place, if that Maryland chap again said any
thing about his eastern shore, he would re-
ply to it. This was, sub rosa, noised about
among members, and those in the conspir-
acy waited for an euloginm upon the eastern
shore. Sure enough, the orator, in due
time, came to the eastern Shore" and,
among other things, he proclaimed: Look
at the great state of Maryland, look at the
eastern shore of Maryland from whence l
came! Why, it is the garden spot of crea-
tion and its people are the chosen ones of
mankind. 1t is great country, blessed
country, a God-gifted land!" And the ora
tor soon sat down after all that, and Tom
Corwin arose in his place, with his fellow
members around him, all expectant but
not knowing what was to come Among
other things grated eloquent Tom
"The gentleman from Maryland speaks
most eloquently and OPPORTUNITY of his
great state, and pronounces the eastern
shore of that great state the garden spot of
creation, and its people a blessed people,
In reference to this have fact to relate,
if 1 can command sufficient attention"
Everybody in the House was now full of
attention. Mr.. Speaker, am lawyer.
and had case in court one day in my
town of Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio. 1t
was case of much importance, and my
success in it depended upon the evidence
of an aged, venerable, white headed wit
ness, near four-score years; and I called
him to the witness stand, and he gave his
most important testimony and my case, I
thought. was won. But the lawyer. on the
other side commenced to cross examine the
Witness to break him down, if possible, on
account of his extreme old age and neces-
sary want of memory, and says he to the
witness. My aged friend, how old might
you bel? The DID, white headed witness
looked around at the court and at the iury.
and at me and then, at last, at the cross ex-
aiming attorney, and he answered: L am
Just forty-two years of age next month";
This was an astonisher, an amazer. I was
amazed. and felt that nv witness would
certainly be completely broken down for
lunacy. All in court were surprised. The
cross examiner continued: Only forty-two
years of age! why, old man, you look to be
at least eighty years of ager
Well, said the witness, 4 will tell you
how that is. The first part of my life
spent on the eastern shore of the state of
Maryland was born thereon the east
ern shore! and I lived around, and lost
there thirty eight years, and under the good
God have always thought that in estimat-
ing and numbering my years He would not
take account Of the years gone and lost on
that God-forsaken eastern shore of Mary
land, and, therefore. am Just forty-two
years Of age!"