Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-05-10
COngressmen's Boys.

Looking down from the reporters gallery
of the house the wielder of the quill now
and then has an opportunity of witnessing
some very funny sights, and like man up
tree, makes mental comments and says
nothing. 1t often comes under his notice
that congressman 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 counter
parts Of their fathers, az it were In this
connection it is not out Of place say word
or two of the children that frequently grace
the floor of the present house. To start
with, there is Congressman Belford's boys,
pair of fiery red-headed cberubs. 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 gray
est statesmen. "Belfords boys" are fire.
quently the envy of the most Juvenile of
the pages, because they are such pets. Such
| members as have red hair are most consider
| otC VI uiio paul q kOubN uttuDtT
| drop in some morning and anchor himself
on bent pin, " Belford's boys" are held
responsible. Should another find his ink
well filled with water, " Belfords boys +"
are blamed, and so it happens that many
boyish FRANKS of which members are vic.
Tins are credited to " Belford's boys" how
ever innocent they may be. Leopold Morse
has a pair of bright little lads who often
visit the house. They are mischievous, as
their venerable papa used to be, perhaps,
but more daring. On more than one occasion
they have caused the heart of pater fdmii,ds
to quake with alarm as they approached and
asked some sturdy representative point
blank questions, or when they rolled spit
toons 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
children of the congressional group are the
bright-eyed, fair-haired boy and girl of Con-
gresham Skinner. Their pretty manners
and charming prattle has made them popu.
lar 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 house is in session, and
he can sit behind his desk with one on each
knee, he seems the happiest man in con-
gress. Congressman Hammond of New York
has fine little son, who always makes
friends, and when he stands around the floor
he is dignifisd and polite, and shakes hands
and chats brightly with members on all
sides. He's friend of Belford's boys, and
when these little chaps are together it is a
pleasant picture to watch their many pranks.
Two of the brightest children are the daugh-
ters of Congressman Mills and Dingley
They are handsome girls, and always pref.
tily dressed. Little Miss Mills is an especial
favorite with Joe Blackburn, who takes par
ticular pride in teasing her with reference to
her fathers political statues. MIR. Mills is a
greenbacker, but Blackburn, when talking
with the little miss, always speaks of him as
a republican, at which the little girl fires up
with indignation, and with all the language
her baby lips can command, rebukes Mr..
Black burn fiercely, fact which pleases the
latter immensely, and WAYS 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, handsome and full OF
vigor, and complete the list of as fine a
body of youngsters as ever adorned con-
gress.- Washington Critic.