Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-01-07
T0m COR WIN.


soane "Reminiscences Told nv Gsp.
Garfield.
One night Corwin stopped at 4
log hut, where all the family ate
slept and lived In the only rom in
the house, after the simple habits Of
that day. The occupant was q
: Democrat, and Corwin said he new
er dreamed Of getting his vote. But
tharnight, as they gathered around
the fireside. he asked the fellow if
he knew Mr.. -, his competitor.
"WaIl," replied the farmer, II
rather guess 4 dol al never vote
for him." This was sensation to
Corwin. He was now on the trail
OF something that might prove ben
eficial in his anvass---s0mething
that he might use at his next meet
ing to set the house in roar. "NIay
l ask your reasons for not voting
Tor him 2" said Mr.. Corwin. 'sI
am sure Mr. - Is good old Loco
foco." ~ don't keer for that re-
Piled Toms host. ''He kin never
get my vote. No man that wears
woman's gown OF nights kin ever
have my vote" This the old fellow
said as soiemnly as possible, and
without smile. Toms quick pcll-
etration took the point, and with a
vfsage heavy with mock gravi-
~, while he was choking back the
laugh the comic situation provoked.
Tom said: HE wears u woman's
gown does he, eh ? Just think of it
,-wcman's 8 gown! A pretty candi-
date for Congress ~ sfY'aas. % said
the old lady, who sat knitting in
the chimney corner, and raising her
spectacles, she looked up from her
knitting and, In q solemn tone, said:
faas, Mr.. Corwin, that be the AL
mighty Gods truth, eff my old man
ever told the truth in his life.
seed him put on that ar drafted
gown, and ef you believe me, ii had
tail as long as my gown, tOO,v
and the old lady looked fierce. Not
smile appeared on any face. Tom
said he was dying to have good
laugh over it. But the fun of the
thing was its absolute sobriety and
ludicrous solemnity. HWaal,D
drawled the old man, 'syou see II
was In this way. He was here Que
night just as you be here tonight,
and mann and / went into thai arr
bed right here. Afore he got In he
stopped down as IL he was gwine
to pray. Hist SEE i, imam our
is kinder pious., Jist
then he opened his saddle-bags, and
peered out to see what IL was.
And I'll be goli darned if IL wasn't
a wOman's shirt with a tail and a
mile long, and into ii he elm and
popped into the bed, and jist looked
ike an old woman for all the
world. Pll never vote for no sich
man."
Tom had it. He slept little that
light. Next day he went forth on
his errand of drumming up a crowd
for his night meeting. Atthe meet
fig he opened thus: "My friends,
t was thought that there was no
ssue i'm this campaign. / know my
claims there Is none. But
tell you there is. 1t is very SOL
smn one, too. 1t Is the shlrt-tail
ssue,n And then he went on amid
leaIs of laughter to tell the story,
lud carried the crowd with him.
Night after night he told the yarn
o crowds, who serenaoed 1t with
,ells of laughter. Tom carried the
district and went to Congress.
"While Tom Corwin was telling
hat very story" said Gen. Garfield,
and Just as he reached the climax
nd was on his feet vociferating that
olnical speech about the shirt, his
Iead dropped a little, his counters
nee turned ashy and he started to
ali, but l caught him in my arms,
nd so Tom C0rwin died. .'--I,irdte
)dtzeH.