Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-10-15
GaIts ar,o Sketftes.
reN 0CHILrREE'S YARNS.

Everybody reads the newspapers, there
fore is Is fair to presume that everybody
has heard of Major Tom Ochiltree Of
Texas. after whom John Chamberlin, the
well known sportsman. named his famous
racehorse Major Tom was Marshal Of
Texas, under Grant, and is known as one
of that distinguished travellers warmest
adherents The Major has the gift Of
speech, developed to the remotest limits
Of exaggeration, which has caused him to
be called by his many friends the Arab
ian Knight" But, although his vivid
Imagination will not permit him to reply
to simple question about the weather
without decorating il with what he calls
a rainbow here and there. it must not be
inferred that in serious matters the red
headed ranger of the Rio Grande - at all
wanting in veracitv. His word Is quite
as good as his bond in business matters.
Perilap / cannot better illustrate the facin-
ating characteristics o. one who - now n
natianaI character than By relating A scene
which took place the other night at the
Union League Club, which has recently
removed 10 new and magnificent quarters
on the southern slope Of Murray HILL 1t
is Of course impossible to put in dull type
the Majors graceful gestures, his kaleld-
oscopic changes OF thought and the
magnetism Of his ardent manner. but
good idea Of the peculiarities which have
made him famous may be obtained from
what was enabled to catch from sofa
which sat an amused listener. II ~as
rather a slow evening at the Union
League. and the new members sitting a
round the fire asked Major Ochiltrce to
enliyen them with one OF his adventures
Tom threw searching glance around ine
circle to stake in" as II were, MS
audience, and related as follows:
well. gentlemen, I've nothing more
interesting in the caves OF my memory
than wide range OF travel and some very
eminent people I've met will be. but
will try to entertain you until my latch
runs down In the spring of 1886 found
myself in Paris. ] had been sent by the
State of Texas to negotiate loan to buIid
a railroad between Galveston and the City
O! Mexico. Some Of you may doubtless
remember that General Santiago Barboso,
then Dictator of Mexico. was in favor OF
the scheme. OF course, my presence on
the Bourse attracted considerable atten-
ton, and was approached one fine morn
ing on the Boulevard des Capucines by
magnifcently -costumed chasseur, all gold
lace and red pants-looking noble. tell
you-who said, in sort OF Algerian
French: His Majesty commands your
presence at the Tuileries tonight at 10
O'Clock. told him to say to my fellow
sovereign that would be on deck sharp
ut the hour named, and not to forget it.
"You said that in FRENCH" said a con-
sumptive looking member, in modest,
inquiring tone
'.Yes. sir; spoke just as good French
then as do now. | met his Majesty at
the appointed hour. and. by Jove. the En-
press was with him, and hadn't come
dressed to see ladies'. Not to dwell too
long on phase of European society which
is now familiar to so many Travelled
Americans. his Majesty wanted me to go
TO Central Africa and buy about $500
pounds of elephants teeth-ivory, you
know-for him. Eugene wanted to deck
her boudoir in the palace Mt Fontainebleau
in ivory. and the European markets were
exhausted. At first pleaded the impor
lance of the interests intrusted to my care.
but the Emperor interrupted me with a
gesture OF Impotence and exclaimed
Consider that loan placed. I'll make
Italy and Belgium take it all this week
The Empress, then the most beautiful
woman in Europe and the most beautiful
woman | ever saw except one-a St.
Louis gamblers wite-added her entrea-
ties. paying n compliment to my native
State. and saving she had heard that had
a faculty for finding my way safely around
Greasers. Navajos. newspaper reporters
and hackmen. That settled it | started
the next day with letter ct credit on the
French Consul General Mt Cairo for , 900
900 francs, about 100000. The Egyp-
tian Goyernment-Said Pasha was in
power-rendered me every assistance. and
in four months was up the White Nile.
5000 miles from the Delta. thousand
miles inland toward the Nyanzas. the
guest Of Mtesa. the King of Uganda
Ibid you hear anything of Living
stone ?" asked u fat member.
II haven't come to that vet" replied
the Texan Major. fixing bad eye on him.
IL became great friends with Mtesa. He
was fine-looking spendidly formed mig
ger. feet inches tall He was rather
too fond of merissa. a strong native beer.
and when under its influence would do
things to make your hair stand on end
very much such man as Jim Bennett
One night, after we had been on hunt
and Knocked over few lions. some bles-
box. dozen giraffes. and brace of hip
popotami-"
lis it strictly 'potami or 'potamuses ~
meekly inquired the thoughtful member.
The Major darted n fiery glance a, him.
but without reply went on.
Zone night. say. before was inter-
rupted by this lineal descendant of Noah
Webster. Mtesa was as full as goat. and
for some trifling infraction OF court Ell
quettc he ordered up his corps OF execu-
TONERS and struck off the heads of 800
of the first mobiles about the royal town
and court was forced to witness the
inhuman butchery or run the risk of losing
my own head if exhibited the slightest
sign Of disgust. So | nerved myself up
to it by a pint of old cognac Victor Hugo
had pressed upon me the morning | left
Paris and smoked an exquisitely carved
meerschaum pipe presented to me by
Marshal Canrobert. who had received it
rs wedding gift from Victor Emanuel
the King of Italy. you know. SIR said
Major Tom, severely, as one of the circle
began to cough violently and hold his
head down s.what did I understand v.,n