The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-05-17
CONGREssMES.s CHILDREN.


Looking down from the reporters
gallery of the Housc the wielder OF the
GULL now and then has an opportunity
of witnessing some very funny sights,
and like q man up tree, makes mental
comments and says nothing. 1t often
comes under his notice that Congress-
men have children, though why they
should have is mystery, and that some
of the children are very good, and that
some are very pretty, and that Others
are very ugly and very, very bad, exact
couterparts of their fathers, as it were.
In this connection it is not out of place
to say word or two of the children that
frequently grace the floor of the pres.
ent House.
To start with, there is Congressman
Belford's boys, q pair of fiery red
headed cherubs. There is no mistake
as to whose boys they are, for their
" "top-knots pronounce them veritable
chips of the old block. These little
lads come up to the House quite often,
They are each about two feet high and
very bright. Whether the father is
present or not they are by no means
Disconnected, and scramble over the
desks and make themselves at
home, and are favorites with
even the gravest statesmen. "Belford's
boys" are frequently the envy of
the most juvenile of the pages, because
they are such pets. Such members as
have red hair are most considerate of
this pair. Should gouty member
drop in some morning and anchor him
self on a bent pin, " Belford's boys"
are held responsible. Should another
find his ink we'll filed with water,
4" Belford's boys" are blamed, and 30
it happens that many boyish pranks of
which members are victims are credited
to Belford's boys" however innocent
they may be.
Leopold Morse has pair of bright
little lads who often visit the House.
They are mischievous, as their venera-
BILE papa used to be, perhaps, but more
daring. On more than one occasion
they have caused the heart of pater
fsmilias to quake with alarm as they
and asked some sturdy Re-
preventative point blank questions, or
when they rolled spittoons over the
floor, or drew pictures with chalk on
members desks. Morse is proud of his
heirs, but he can't manage them, and
the little fellows make it lively enough
for him sometimes.
The prettiest and most favored chill
dren of the congressional group are the
bright-eyed, fair-haired boy and girl of
Congressman Skinner. Their pretty
and charming prattle has made
them popular with every one connected
with the House. They can climb over
desks and all that sort of thing, but
unlike the majority of children of their
ages are not boisterous or inclined to
precociousness. Mr.. Skinner is proud
of them, and when the ouse is in ses-
sion, and he can sit behind his desk
with one on each knee, he seems the
happiest man in Congress.
Congressman Hammond, of New
York, has fine little son, who always
makes friends, and when he stands
around the floor he is dignified and po-
lite, and shakes hands and chats bright
ly with members on all sides. He's q
friend of Belford's boys, and when these
little chaps are together it is pleasant
picture to watch their many pranks.
Two of the brightest children are the
daughters of congressman Mills and
DinRley. They are handsome girls and
always prettily dressed. Little Miss
Mills is an especial favorite with Joe
Blackburn, who takes particular pride
in teasing her with reference to her
fathers political status.
Mr. Mills is a Greenbacker, but Black
burn, when talking with the little
miss, always speaks of him as being a
Republican, at which the little girl fires
mp with indignation, and with all the
language her baby lips can command,
rebukes Mr.. Blackburn fiercely fact
which pleases the latter immensely, and
always attracts group OF statesmen
about the two.
Congressman Valentines boy is
another who is favorite in Congress,
and is friend of Master Harry Smith,
son of the journal clerk.
These little chaps are bright, hand
some and full of vigor, and complete
the list of as fine a body of youngsters
as ever adorned Congress- Washing-
on Critic.