The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-03-25

too, with eq-al cordiality ss the county Of
fetal. Nor was this demonstration of the
shall CIV, polite character sometimes drum
ned up for effect. but the spontaneous man.
ifestations Of the affection of the people
about him. Among them he was no longer
the Congressman, but neiehbor and friend.
Mr.. Stephens was remarkable for his recol-
lection of faces and names. Through years
OF acquaintance and considerable association
with him, never knew him to fail to call
the name Of person whom be had ever
known. A signal illustration Of this faculty
occurred in January, 1878. when he, Ben
jsmin n. Hill. and General John B. Gordon
were candidates before the Legislature for the
United States Senatorship. Mr.. Stephens
wss at the Kimball House at Atlanta. One
day gentleman, a stranger to me. calling at
my office on business found me just leaving
it TO fill en- engagement. bad to see Mr..
Stephens at that hour. Upon my stating my
engagement, he asked me if he might accom-
IaDy me just 10 shake hands with him.
81 met him orce when Was quite yoang
man." he said, and have never seen him
tiroe.n
III be ever net you he viii remember
you" / answered
THAT is in, possible" be replied, ''fdr ct
that time was about twenty-one years Of
sge and clean thGyen, whereas now l have
full heard
a few minutes Later we entered Mr.
Stephens room, where there were several
callers, to one of whom turned TO speak. 1
YVES about moving to introduce the gentle
man when Mr. Stephens, extending his hand
TO him, said: "Why, how do you do, Mr..
-? I metyou st Greensboro, N. O., in
1874, when l was ttumping that State for
Henry Clay"
Tie excellence Of his memory was notice
able at whist, TO which be wss devotee. 1
have more than once known him TO name
TIE lest four cards before they were exposed.
His fondness for this game and his skill
in playir & 1t lave often been referred to in
the prints. He is the author OF the treatise
OF whist in Johnson's Encyclopedia, and,
by the way, the mott complete condensation
of the more important rules CT the game
l have ever seen published. From the mo-
ment of hisl entrance into a game his
mind was AFFORDED by it. For the time
being al questions Of state craft were subor-
dinated TO the taking of an odd trick. He
fought as earnestly to win that IS ever to
carry an election, al d victory ct the end Of
q game sent him to bed in the most smiable
mood. Defeat did not discompose him If
there had been 10 misplays on his side, but
blundering partner was source OF irrita-
ton to him. II was while fretted by such
partner that he cree told an anecdote Of
Scotchmap, who was SO srgersd by stupid
misplsy of his lady Wis Avis that he sprang
up, leaned ever the table, shook his fist in
Ter face and exclaimed:
"You - foolp'
But, realizing his rudeness, the Scotchman
apologizsd by saying:
81 humbly beg pardon; pardon, madame,
1 thought was talking to my wife,"
OF Mr.. Stephens political character or
career intended no mention in this sketch,
but can not refrain from narrating the in
cidents OF one night at Liberty Hail."
which are wildly impressed upon my
memory. 1t was night in October, 1872,
when the Presidential campaign was on.
Mr.. Stevens had bolted the nominee OF the
Democratic Convention at Baltimore
Horace Greeley, and was using
all his influence in favor of the
irregular "bourboL" Democratic candidate,
Charles 0Connor, Of New York. In vsin
did Denocraiic leaders reason with and ep-
peal to him. He declared tie nomination
of Mr.. Greeley al abandonment of Demo
cratic principles, ard boldly declared he
would be as well satisfied with General
Grant ss with Mr.. Greeley in the White
House. On the night I refer to Mr.. Ste
phens had several gues.s-several distin-
guished- and among them Robert Toombs.
We had game Of whist, which. being con-
cluded, the party gathered around the log
fire of his stting.room. Perhaps conversa-
ton had been general far half hour, when
or host incidentally spoke Of some occur
renee of the Presidential campaign OF 1910.
The incidental mention of men engaged in
that canvass lead up to their participation
in the succeeding one of 1914. 1t
seemed then as if door had opened
and he had involuntarily stepped into tenn
pie OF memory which must be explored. We
were irs ated TO interesting episodes OF the
contest between James X. Polk and Henry
Clay, and the causes leading to the latter's
| OeIehI. Next lOllOWeU u 0hIIdtlN6 Ol OOu-
gressionsl legislation during the four sue
ceeding years. and personal "reminiscences OF
the great men Of that periodically, Benton,
Webster Calhoun and others-whom he had
outIived. The "old man eloquent had by
this time become enwrapped in his own mar.
rative. His pipe going out, one OF the party,
without the interruption of word, takes it
from him, reflls it and returns it with q
lighted taper. Even the restless Toombs has
settled quietly into rocker, and is listening
as If to an oracle. Through the campaign
of 1852 goes the historian, only DEPRESSING
to give incidents connected with the death
of Calhoun, Clay and Webster. We could
gee that he was not merely reciting but liv-
ing over that political past among its giants,
and no one disturbs his glowing dream.
Even his old blind dog upon whose shaggy
coat his feet are CUSHIONED continues his
placid sleep without moving. Now comes
the story of the agitation OF the slavery
question in Congress and his criticism upon
the agitation, the woful blundsr Of the