The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-05-14
ATTORNEY-GENERAL GARLAND.
the POnderous Joke Which Colonel Dick
Bright Played Upon Him.

The Ponderous Joke Which Colonel Dick
Bright Played Upon Him.
Colonel Dick Bright, of Indiana, bears
off the honor of perpetrating the first
joke at the expense of the new Attorney
General, himself an inveterate Joker and
hearty lover of good fun. While
Colonel Bright wassSergeant-at-Arms of
the Senate his personal relations with
Mr.. Garland, then member of that
body, were intimate and cordial The
two gentlemen, indeed, became warm
friends, and have since remained so.
To-day Colonel Bright walked into the
Department of Justice and made his
way back into the Attorney Generals
private Office. 1t was after office hours,
and in few moments the Attorney
General made his appearance. The
day had been busy one, and Mr.. Gar
land was very tired. Into both of his
ears since early in the morning had
been poured ceaseless flood of praise
and appeal in the interests of men seek
ing office.
''Dick, old fellow" said the Attorney
General, advancing with his hand ex-
tended and wearing a pleasant smile.
I'm glad to see you.h
The two clasped hands and dropped
down on sofa side by side. Mr.. Gar
land had pleasant chat in prospect,
and the hope of hearing new story or
two.
''Mr. Attorney General, you look fa-
tigued," said Colonel Bright, sympa-
thetically.
'.Dick, am fatigued I'm glad it's
all over for the day, and I'm glad you
are here. It's refreshing to talk to a
man on some other subject than office.
Mr.. Garland took one of Colonel
Bright's hands and rubbed it down
with gentle stroke. Colonel Bright,
all unobserved, smiled very wicked
smile. He then Strengthened up and as
sumed a slightly embarrassed and Sc
riouS expression of face.
"Senator," he said, dropping into the
old title, I'm sorry to disappoint you;
but am seeking office myself / have
come in late to get an uninterrupted
audience"
Mr.. Garland's face heightened and a
small sigh escaped him. But he rallied
and said in his old way:
''Well, Tn glad to see you, anyhow.
State your case, old fellow
1--WE have always been good friends,
Senator" began Colonel Bright; 1.-The
very best, trust. served you when l
could when in office"
You did more than ever asked yon
to, and | can never forget it," gener-
ously admitted Mr.. Garland.
"Well, then, l ask small return
now," replied Colonel Bright. Il
don't want any of these places here at
home. where there is such scramble,
but want to 90 abroad. If there is no
other applicant deemed worthier of the
place, | should like to be made In
spector of Pork at Jerusalem. | am
well indorsed for the place. as Won will
see," handing over some papers. II
ask your assistance to get it. | can inn
agine no objection to me, unless il
should be urged that, being from a hog
raising country, l might become the
creature of pork ring and force only
| one kind of meat on the Jerusalem mar
ket. My character, however, is good
enough, / trust to survive such an as.
sault.''
Mr.. Garland had mechanically taken
the Coloners papers and heard him
| through without once catching on He
had actually begun to read the applica-
ton, which had been made out in due
form, before the light dawned upon
him. Then his lips began working,
and, the start once made, the corners
of his mouth ran away toward his ears,
and the Attorney General subsidized in a
hearty roar Of laughter. Colonel Bright
joined in. and the two friends again
shook hands.
Dick" said Mr. Garland, rising and
walking off few steps, ''what will yor
take to go over and try your game or
Bayard? Do it; and you can com
mand me for the best dinner in Wash
ington."
But Colonel Bright was afraid. Ht
felt that he didn't know the Secretary
well enough. He contented himsel
with lunching with Mr.. Garland at Mr.
Garland's expense on what he had al
ready accomplished Washington Tele,
| gram.