The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-12-06

think they were sad enough. He was, in a
measure, a disappointed man. He was pos
sessed Of great powers, and he was fully con
scious Of that fact. He may have felt that ii
he had exerted his talents in other ways than
he had been accustomed to do, he might
haye reached a more solid fame, and possibly
create r offices. l do net know, but i do know
he sometimes said as much to me in his
calmer moments. But in q trice he was OIL
again with his yarns that st the whole COM
pany in a constant roar Of isughter. lie once
told me hew he got into Congress
the first time. He was nominated,
aud had no more idea OF al cleo
ton than the dead. But lie went out to
canvass on horseback through. the settle
ments from log cabin to log cabin and solicit
vote His competitor was almost sure OF
election, for the district was strongly with his
party. One night Corwin stopped at a log
hut where all the family ate, slept and lived
in the only room in the house, after the SIM
pie habits of that day. The occupant was a
Democrat, and Corwin said hs never dreamed
Of getting his vote. But that night, As they
gathered arousd the tireside, he asked the
fellow if he knew Mr.. ---, his competitor.
WAL replied the farmer, Il rather guess l
do-Ill never vote for him. This was a SEN
sation to Corwin. He was now on the trail
of something tina. might prove beneficial in
his canvass-something he might use at his
next meeting to set the house in a roar. May
| ask your reasons for not voting for him !?
asked Mr.. Csrwln. Il am sure Mr.. - 10 a
good old Locofoco.' :. don't keer for that
replied Toms host, he kin never get my
vote. No mau that wears a wolnan's GOWN
of nights kin ever have my Vote This the
old fellow said as %aolemnly as possible, and
without = smile. Toms quick penetration
took the point, and with a yissss heavy with
mock gravity, while lie was choking back the
laugh that the comic situation provoked.
Tom SAID: HE wears a womsn's gown, does
he, Ell? Just think of ia woman's gown.
A pretty candidate for Congress- 'Yaas,'
M. Corwin, that be the sod Alaighty's
truth, ef my old man ever told the truth in
his life. l seed him put on that ar drafted
gov II. &Lu Cl ySN liz my ~ ~
long az my gown, too and the old lady
looked fierce. Not a smile appeared on any
face. Tom said he was dying to have a good
laugh over it.. But the fun Of the whole
thing was its absolute sobriety and ludicrous
solemnity. WAL drawled the old man;
'ysu see it was this way: He was here one
night jlst az you be tonight, and mann and [
went into that ar bed there, and he got into
this bed right here. Afore he got in he
stopped Down IS if he was a-gwine to pray.
kinder pious.' Jist then he opens his saddle
bags, and | peered out to see what it was.
And I'll be gell darned if it warn't a wo-
mans skirt with a tail a mile long, aid into
it he elm and popped into bed, and jist
locked like an old woman for all tho world.
I'll never vote for no SIGH man."
Tom had it. He slept but little that night.
Next day he went forth on his errand of
drumming up = crowd + n his night meeting
At the mesting he opened thus: ''Ny riends,
il was thought there was no issue in this cam
paign. My opponent claims there is none.
But | tell you there TO-. 1t 10 a vely solemn
one, 800. It IS the shirt-tail issue" And
then he went on amid peals Of laughter 10
tell the story, and carried the crowd with
him. Night after night he told that yarn to
whe serenaded it with yells Of laugh
ser. Tom carried the district and went to
Congress.
"While Tom Corwin was telling that very
said Gen. Garfield, san just rs he
reached tina CLIMAX and was on his feet vocif-
that comical speech abou. the shirt,
his head dropped a little, his countenance
turned ashy, and he started to fall, but |
him in my srms, and SO Tom Corwin
died :"