Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-07-10
From Cleveland Penny Press.
THE OLD ROMAN PAIR.
Sketch of Allen G. Thurman and
Lady.
How They Look, How They Live
What They Say and Do, and
What People Think
OfThem

While i'm Columbus at the Democrat
ic state convention had the pleasure of
taking a supper at the same table in the
United States hotel with ex-senator
Allen G.. Thurman and his estimable
lady. This venerable couple were OBJ
served of all.
MRS. THURMAN
Came i'm first, and taking her usual seat,
announced to her table friends, in re-
sponse to inquiries? "Yes, the judge is
feeling well. He will be down present
ly. He is detained few moments
by company" How fatal that deten-
ton by that company was to the Payne
Hoadly-McLean combination, the coun-
try is already familiar with. Mrs.
Thurman is sslightly older in appearance
then when she entertained so plainly
and pleasantly in Washington, while
her husband so ably filled the presidents
chair in the United States senate.
Abont woman's normal height, slightly
stopped with years, she walks with a
step yet elastic. Time deals gently
with her, as her cheeks are still plump,
and glow with health, while the usual
wrinkles of her years have not put in
their appearance. Her eyes are as
bright and expressive as a girls and
serve her well without glasses. Hell
voice is full and clear, and her hearing
acute. Her soft, silken gray hair was
done up in good old fashioned puffs
over her temples, and in Grecian knot
behind her head, which was adorned
with back-comb. A rufi1e of fine lace
encircled her neck. Her dress was a
dark worsted, plainly cut, and modest
ly trimmed. She made no display OF
jewelry, wearing but couple of plain
gold adornments-a brooch and a finger
ring. She conversed freely on all ordi-
nary topics. save politics, but seemed
most deeply interested in the punish
ment of the base ball teams which had
been arrested for playing on Sunday.
She felt that the former idea of the
sanctity of the Sabbath was worthy of
preservation. This good old lady is a
sweetheart still. She watches the judge
with the keen interest the young bride
feels in her ideal, and cautions him
against any excess or any carelessness
that may effect his health and happi-
ness. At the meal in question she re-
minded him that he should not eat too
much pork. Mrs. Thurman is a great
home person, and does not take kindly
to the formalities and frivolities of
modern society. She is consequently
credited with being adverse to her hus-
band re-entering upon a political life,
loving her home in Columbus more
than the excitement and glitter of
Washington. Judge Thurman is build
ing fine brick residence in Columbus,
costing between $12, 900 and SIS 900, and
Mrs. Thurman looks forward with the
greatest anticipation to the time when
she can take possession of it and settle
down to that comfortable, peaceful time
which should ever be the blessing of the
crowning years of life we'll spent.
When Judge Thurman came into the
room there was pause in the clink of
knives, forks, and plates, and the hum
of voices. A respectful silence pre-
vailed until he took his seat at the table
and entered into hearty conversation
with those surrounding him. He ate
with zest that betokened good appe-
tite and perfect digestion. The rotun-
dity of form and the oval lines of his
features prove that his food is well as
simulated. While his hair has whitened
perceptibly siLce he left the senate,
there is no other indication of increas-
ing age. He stands as erect as pine
tree, and his majestic proportions show
him to be q man of still wonderful
physical power. His voice isas full and
resonant as when in early manhood he
the soundest of democratic
doctrine from the stump and the clear
est of legal decisions from the bench.
At the table he discussed the victuals,
the weather, the crops, the base ball be-
tween spells of reading his evening
newspaper. None would have sus-
pected him of any political plans or am
bitions. Still, at that moment he knew
his friends were busy crystalizing a
to Illustrate his old rivals and
send him to Chicago the most conspicu-
ous member of his delegation. Once
upon a time, when crowded about his
aspirations, he replied: III
really have no ambition in that direc-
5ion." A look incredulity on every face
was the only response. The judge took
in these looks and related little story.
Said he: zone summer was at the Oak
land house, Maryland, spending little
vacation up in that cool mountain re-
gion. We got telling fishing stories.
related something ofmy own expert
ance when | was present and saw
caught cat fish weighing 80 ponds.
When I told the weight there was gen.
eral laugh, and I was humorously
awarded the prize for telling fish stories.
quietly remarked to my incredulous
friends that I hoped soon to convince
them of the correctness of my story that
in western waters there were cat fish of
DO pounds weight. When returned to
I went to the leading restaur-
ateur and instructed him to pro-
cure me the largest cat fish that
could possibly be secured. He re-
ported in few days that he had
one. 1 walked over and found an ex-
cellent specimen, weighing rs pounds.
had him boxed and carefully packed
in ice, land shipped him by express to my
friends at the Oakland.
From the restaurator [ got all the re-
cipes 1 could for catfish chowder, cat
catfish steaks, stufftd catfish, roast,
etc., and sent them on by mail. tele-
graphed as follows: Skin your fish be-
fore you cook him. a cat-fish's skin be-
ing so rank as to spoil the flesh when
the fish is cooked with it, on. They got
my telegram, and were puzzled. When
the box arrived, dripping from the melt
ing ice, they were more puzzled. The
letter, which arrived by the same train
as the fish, explained all. They had a
fine feast, and at it formly organized
with president and secretary, and
passed the following resolution, which
was sent me: