The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-03-14
Blaine's Boyhood.
How He and Tom Ewing Settled Hotel
Bill in Columbus.

had talk recently with certain men,
bers of the Ewing and Sherman families
about Lancaster, Ohio, writes "Gath'' from
New York to the Cincinnati Enquirer. A
good many regard Judge Ewing as the alb
lest of hts family. He looks like his father
good deal, and yet there is also something
of the Blaine family, with which he is con-
nected, in his heavy eyelids and the hue of
his eyes. The Ewings are proud of their
family name and connections, but are rath-
er reticent, plain men, of their fathers
style. l asked Judge Ewing if he remem-
Dered Blaine coming to Lancaster to inhabit
his fathers house and go to school,
YES" said he, "Blaine's mother was a
sister of Mrs. Ewing's mother, so that he
was second cousin of our boys. Blaine
was just as frisky and clever in his boyhood
as he has since been talented. | remember
that he and Tom Ewing saved Up their mon
ey for an excursion to Columbus, which is
80 miles from Lancaster Hugh Ewing was
to drive them, and he was something of
martinez, very particular about appearance
and good conduct The buggy was good
enough for those days, though I think it
had no springs. and Tom and Jim Blaine
sat back while Hugh took the reins. When
they got about 10 miles out of Lancaster
there was Democratic flag pole set up at a
little town, and Blaine and Tom Ewing be-
gan to make signs at it with their thuIlbs to
their noses to express their sderision. You
stop that said Hugh Ewing; this buggy is
known Oh this road to belong to Senator
Ewing. and YOU must behave yourselves ac-
cordingly.' The two boys said that they
would make snch signs at the Democratic
poles whenever they were minded, and
meant to do the same thing coming back
again. Hugh Ewing said he would see that
they did no such thing They again de-
clared that they meant, ON their return from
Columbus, to deride the flag pole. 'Well,'
said Hugh Ewing, I'll put you both out of
the buggy II you do About this time
rabbit ran across the road, and the BOYS
jumped down to run for it, and that dis
posed of the quarrel for that time. When
they got to Columbus, they drove their horse
into Mobiles tavern. He had lived previ-
ously in Lancaster. The boys went around
there for day or two, and as their money
was rather scant, they conferred together as
TO how much the hotel bill would probably
De, because they wanted to stay as long as
they had money enough to discharge the
bill. Finally, they had the horse geared up
and drove around in front of the tavern, and
asked Mr.. Noble how much they owed him.
Oh said he, Il won't chage you boys any
thing. I'll take this as a visit from my old
friends sons. You needn't pay me any
thing, boys Hearing this, the conserva-
tive Hugh Ewing was so much reflective and
pleased that he drove the buggy back to- the
stable and told the negro man to put it up
again, considering that he had nothing to
pay, and therefore might stay another day.
The tavern keeper was very much tickled at
this craft of the boys, and long referred to
1t with delight. On their way back, how
ever, as they approached the town where
the fiag-pole stood, Tom Ewing and Jim
Blaine rose up in the wagon, with their fin
said Hugh Ewing, cor Pll put you both out.
ihey would not stop, and he refined in the
horse and pulled them both out of the wag-
on, and then springing in, started off to Ian
caster, 10 miles distant, making them both
walk home.''