The Evening critic., 1883-05-03
THE CRITIC ABROAD,

ANohNAbhg JhhBS WnO nDluS "
very high and important position in the
clerks Office of the House of Representa-
tives made call on his friend, Dan Leach
corresponding clerk of the Smithsonian In
stitution. When the Judge approached the
door of the room in which Mr. Leach spent
his time, he was required by the messenger
in attendance to write his name on card
and the nature of his business before he
would take II in to Mr.. Leach. The Judge
took one Of the cards and wrote on 1t
Virgins" The messenger took it and
started to give it to Mr., Leach.
All at once ho stopped, having observed
the name. He looked at the card and then
at the Judge. He gave the card to Mr..
Leach, who told him to admit Mr.. Virgins
After remaining in the room for quite a
asked Mr.. Leach if that was Wiggins the
weather prophet.
Yes said Mr.. Leach, that is the man."
WELL" said the messenger, "he don't
look much like crank, but suppose he is
one"
Since Senator Beck returned to this city
he has been almost pestcred to death by
bootblacks. No sooner does one shine his
No. 12s than another accosts him for job
He is beginning to lose patience over the
infliction. As he came out of Willard S
yesterday afternoon two or three boot
blacks rushed for him.
GO away, go away" said he, "my shoes
are all right"
One impertinent urchin cried: "Here's
your carriage, Senator" as Herdic came
along.
WELL" exclaimed Beck to the Critic,
who was standing by, "those boys beat the
al A1lr TI4., ....I II AA1l L.
with Proctor Knott one day. We were
walking down the Avenue, and was both
cred in the same fashion as am now
Proctor said: Beck, l divide this city into
two classes. One class like-thc other
detest.' Who are they?' asked.
Well said he, 'one class is bootblacks
They persist in reminding me of my per-
sonal inferiority by wanting to black my
boots at every street corner. hate 'em.
Why can't they let a fellow go on think
ing he looks well. The other class is news
paper men. They talk of ones mental
superiority and make you feel good gener-
ally if you treat 'em right. l like news
paper men,"
Senator Beck was branching into another
anecdote, when street-car came along and
he boarded it for the Capitol.
-:o:-
Last evening the Critic ran across man
from old Virginia, who was in the dark days
of our recent little unpleasantness a true
Union man. He said IN the course of an
hours conversation that he could give the
Critic an inside aneedote which had bear
ing upon the emancipation proclamation.
The Critic being in quest of information of
a historical nature asked him to proceed
with his story, which he did, aud here it is
just as he told it
Before the war there lived in the County
of Orange, State of Virginia, one Joe McIn-
tosh. Joe was bright mulatto of more
than ordinary intelligence. He could read
and write, and was looked upon by his race
as far above the ordinary negro, having
been born free and lived among the higher
class. He was for some time the body SER
want of the Hon. jeremiah Morton, who
was one of the prominent and wealthy citi-
zens, and who for some years had repre-
sented the Sixth Congressional District of
Virginia in the United States House of
Representatives. When Virginia seeded
joe espoused the cause Of the Confed-
eracy, and volunteered to go into the army
in the capacity Of a servant. He went as
the body servant of Captain Lewis B. Will
liams, who commanded the Montpelier
Guards" a volunteer company that had
long existed at Orange Court House, Va,
small village near the residence of Mr.. Mad
isOn and named after his residence.
Captain Williams was soon promoted,
and was afterward killed in battle. A more
gallant soldier or more perfect gentleman
never lived or died. After Captain Will
Jams was promoted and sent to different
part Of the Army, Joe remained with
the same command, and was employed at
General Longstreets headquarters. The
adjutant assigned Joe to the department. of
the stables. 1t was such an indignity that
Joe could not brook it, and so incensed him
that he pulled up stakes and swore he
would quit the darned Confederacy; and he
did quit. The next we hear of Joe is in
Washington city. He called on many of
the officials, trying to get an interview with
the President. He finally succeeded.
Mr.. Lincoln asked him how the Rebs
were getting on and how long before they
would give up the contest. Joe said to the
President that he didn't understand the
Southern people; they never would give
up as long as there was q man left to fire o
gun and could get something to fill his
stomach. "Now, Mr.. President" says Joe,
II have come here to put you on plan to
close the war, and it will take two years to
had rather fight than work, and the fact is
they had rather fight than do anything
else, and believe they had rather die than
work. Now If You want to stop the war,
issue proclamation declaring the negroes
free, take the negroes away from them and
let them have to work for something to
eat, and you will soon sec how long they
will hold out" Mr.. Lincoln adopted Joe
suggestion.
The Critic Would Like to See