The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-06-25
For the Union
BOYHOOD DAYS.
ny WILL l.. vOGL.E.

belonged to debating society once.
My mother used 10 say: "Will, why
don't you join the literary association
All the young fellows do, and if you had
any sense you would, too" thought
had some sense, SO got in. believe
was the only member that was not
initiated. When the society was first
organized they had no form of initia-
ton. a short time after was admit
ted they had. II was like going through
a saw-mill. They initiated all the old
members in body. That night | was
absent. | was glad Of it.
was on the negative side Of the
question: "Should women be allowed
to vote ?" had two speeches Of five
minutes each allowed me. Before got
up had "boss" argument. After |
got up | forgot it. stood up about
three minutes, sweating like pig
Then ! said: "Mr. President, am op.
posed to women votingl What would
they look like gadding around the polls
with the mcn?'' | sat down, over
whelmed with the force Of my argument.
Instead Of sitting ON my chair sat in
the spittoon, from which ] rolled to the
floor. Had l been near the door
would have rolled down stairs. crea-
ted fnyo,e. The applause was deafen-
ing. was embarrassed. In my con-
fusion | apologized TO the spittoon,
thinking l had trodden on somebody's
foot. But with all this felt sense OF
greatness stealing over me. was GER
tain my side would win. My argument
was unanswerable. My opponent on
the Off side arose to speak. He wound
up by saying: "Mr. President, my
friend on the negative side thinks the
women would not look well voting with
the men. We could very easily have
separate voting places for them !" That
busted me. never thought of that
When my second turn came | got up
again and informed the President had
nothing to say. l don't think my side
won the argument. Ididn't stop to see.
went home. ! was sick. never de.
batcd any more.
was appointed to read an original
composition at public debate. did
so. The audience was astonished. They
looked upon me rs n genius. II was
about the stars. ! ripped out names
never heard Of before. My composition
made about ten sheets Of foolscap.
got it out OF book.
Twas always late at the meetings.
When did get there was looked upon
rs a nuisance. used to talk to mem.
Der in low tone during business, and
every now and then would calculate
"The devil you sayi" loud enough fol
all to hear. Phydun was president then,
lie was strict churchman. can see
his mild and benevolent eye beaming
on me now as he used to say: "Fine
him ten cents" ] liked tit made
me feel big. was young and didn',
know any better. Inever paid any fine.
On one occasion wanted &c 60 out.
The president objected. insisted
Mr.. X. said: "I-et him 60, Mr.. Presi-
dent, he is a pest anyhow I" | indig.
nantly denied the assertion and de.
manded proof. He said: "JIt mo.
ment ago heard you say that Mr.. w.
was not ft subject for lunitic asy'
lum." didn't want to call him a liar,
for was confident that w. should have
been in lunatic asylum, or some othel
place, at least ten minutes afterwards
as further events will show, so said ir
a very dignified tone: "Mr. X. con
tradict you!" Upon which up jumpt
w. and called me liar, and diaboli
cal one at that. al move we expe
him." said one. ''l amend by expel
ling both !" said another. "I amens
by expelling both dishonorably T. sait
S. The amendment to the amendmen
was adopted, and the motion as amend
ed unanimously carried. eyes," sale
W., "when get him outside will licl
him I" collapsed. felt ae,y SICK
] asked for protection. ! threw mysel
on the mercy Of the association an,
asked that the sergeant alarms NIGH
accompany me home and protect m
from my opponents fury. The ser
gcant was my friend. He did all in hi
power to shield me. When saw ha'
to fight said: "I.et him come" III
did come, and with a vengeance.
made one hit at him. got my fnge
in his eye. was afraid Of hurting him
so took my finger out. He knocke,
me down with such vehemence that
"The Pleiades before me danced,
Shedding sweet influence"
He sat on me. He thrashed me /
fact, he thrashed me like the devil II
| ehraeha1 n.a er ,x.x, ane.ra gats,f. .tsor