National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-10-04
RUINED BY A CLAIM.
The story OF n Man Whose Figure is
Familiar 20 Hotel Lounuers.

FAMILIAR TO Hotel LounRers.
Although the old gentleman's coat was
threadbare, his shoes sadly in need of re-
pairs, and his tall hat had lost its gloss,
ho elevated his feet just as high as anyone
else on the table OF the reading room at q
down town hotel last night, and told the
reporter, who took q seat beside him,
that the rain was welcome sight. The
old gentleman sampled the reporters
tobacco and acknowledged that he was
ahead Of time. "But you 500 couldn't
stay away any longer. Between mo and
you my money gavo out aud had to
come back"
"Do your people live hereP"
mo; but this is the cheapest place to
live for me. No; don't live anywhere.
Como originally from North Carolina
nigh onto seventeen year ago, and have
been here while congress Is in session
since. Well, its the same old story over
again. was sightless fool, that's all, !"
and the old man gave vent to a
sigh, and, after severe struggle, coughed.
"Blame that cough, its always troubling
me, and whisky's the only thing that
does it any good"
The reporter led the way to the bar,
and after drinking his five fingers
straight his new acquaintance set down
the glass and said: swell, to begin.
Seventeen years ago was small truck
farmer in North Carolina, had forty
acres, and was doing well, when an aunt
Of mine took up and died, leaving me her
estate, which consisted of $3.50 and O
claim against the government for dam
ages. This claim amounted to about
81 400, and l camo to Washington to col
lect it. came in a Pullman car.
When / go away now its second class.
| thought that all I'd have to
do was to come here and get the
money. Well, / got here, hunted
up my member, told him of my claim, and
he promised to attend to it for me. hung
about, gave three dinners at Browns to
the members of committee to whom my
claim was referred, and awaited results.
Ii was not long before my money began to
run low, and i was thinking of going
home, but that member Of mine kept tell
ing mo to hang on, and he'd get my claim
through all right. got in the habit of
loaflng around tho capitol, waiting for my
claim, but she didn't come. Congress adj
journed without acting on it, and at the
end of the session found myself dead
broke. / went back home then deter
mined never TO come back again, and
would not have done so but for that
member of mine. He got me to work for
his denomination and he was elected.
Then he told me that the government
wanted men like me, and that if 1 would
sell out my place and come here be would
surely get my claim through. and would
get me in one of the departments.
came back, got in the patent office. and
all went serene until 1874, when
Iat.
garded, and my member defeated.
had formed were hard to break
away from, and / finally got hanging
about the committee rooms doing odd
Jobs for members. They would give me q
little money now and then and l managed
to exc out living, but that was all.
During all this trouble became careless
of myself. / had no desire to go back to
my home, where l know I'd have got a
start, but simply hung about and never
managed to get clear Of the rut fell into
Yes, I've tried it, but it's no go, and I'm
back here again. During tho summer
months: some member generally gets me
pass and gives me little money, and
60 to some Of the watering places. This
year | went homo. Everybody had for
gotten me. My money gave out and
had to come back"
"How do you liver"
"On whisky. Yes, whisky; it's easier
to get whisky than bread. hang about
get invited, and work the lunch. Sleep
Oh, the corridors of hotels arc convenient
and once-but only once--I went to the
station house. I'll manage to live through
until tho mill gets going again, and ther
| I'll get on to some scheme and make
enough, perhaps, to go away next sum
mer, Although you would not think it
Pm only Al years Of age. but feel 20
Thanks, will 60 you again, aud, say
you haven't got spare quarter have you
l think I'd like to try bed tonight"
! DuRKEEs SALAD DRESSING is composed o.