The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-12
VINEGAR, PEPPER AND SALT
All That Passed Between Great
Statesmen at Banquet.
Messrs' Mcdonald and Hendricks Occupy
Adjoining Seats at Table with Evil
dent Mutual Embarrassment

Tde Kilkenny statesmen of Indiana, Hen
bricks and Mcdonald, we're brought together at
the Bates House last evening In q way that
placed both in position of evident embarrass.
ment. In the ARRANGEMENTS for the entertain
ment OF the Macon Volunteers the two distn.
guished statesmen had been invited to honor the
company with their presence at supper.
MI HENDRICKS appeared at the hotel first, and
Tor an hour before the company passed into
the ulnlng room sat conversing pleasantly amid
group of eager listeners. Mr. Hendricks ia ex-
ceptOnally fecitous in general CONVEX
sation, and amiability beamed from his
genial countenance as, with smile
and pleasing word for each, he made
friends of the Southerners. Senator Mcdonald,
accompanied by his wife, made his appearance
at the hotel rather late, arriving only d few mo-
ments before the company went out to supper
AS no other ladies were present Mrs. Mcdonald
remained in the parlor. At the dining hall
the rival presidential candidates were
brought together and were seated
side by side, at the head of the
table, which extended the full length of the hall,
1t was an awkward position for the Democratic
presidential gladiators who have each been try
ing to get the poisoned sword between the ribs
of the other, and the embarrassment of the an
tagonlsts, thus brought together in a
public place, where it was incum.
bent upon them to at least assume a
masquerade of social compaisance, could not be
be concealed There was something ludiorous
In the position of the two men and their efforts
to affect Indifference to their surroundings.
The genial cOuntenance of Mr.. Hendricks,
where amiability had beamed only a mo.
ment before with such luster, it
was observed, had changed perceptk
bly,. The lines were not so soft,
the eye seemed restless under constraint of
countenance. Hon. Thomas Hardeman was
seated to the right of Senator Mcdonald,
and he at once became an object of all-absorblng
interest to that distinguished gentlemen, The
Senator, in the ardOr of his conversation, be-
came came. awSwardly demonstrative and
@SoS ' nearer the nose OF a'sf his hea a%@
than it would seem necessary for the calculation
of supper-table subject. Somehow the back of
Ties OF the place, was pointed at neighbor Hem
bricks, but Senator Mcdonald can hardly be
held culpable for his backs conduct Mr.. Hem
Of the gentlemen three seats to
his left was very. interesting but
not get out of place. When supper wns brought
in at last the situation became less painful.
Mr.. Hendricks, with a show of sollcitude for the
fered him the salt, after asking
If 1T was sugar that he wished.
Mr.. Mcdonald inquired If he could help Mr..
Hendricks to anything Within his reach, and be-
fore the latter could reply, had placed the vine
gar before him. An impertinent observer of the
two men noticed that although the condiments
were not. For all that appearances
would have indicated to the casual
observation of commercial traveller the two
great men were strangers to each other. The
supper was an ordeal of painful embarrassment
to both of them, and yet 1t Is said that the 80
cial relations In public of rival politicians are
cordial