The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1885-02-04
Fe. ne Farmer and Meshsnae-
A LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE.
A Touth's First Attemp , at ON
Seeking and how Beautifully
Things Work
BY old HURRYGKAPH,'
{0f the Wiasfaa Ledfc.l

Born with the pride oil al American
citizen reared in the land where Free
dom planted her standard upon is noun
tain heights, store the azure roSes OF
night,
And &c; the star. Of CORY there"
and with the fires Of patriotism burning
Ike beacon lights upon the affairs Of my
young and tender heart, | yearned 10
serve my country for my counuy's
good. | did not make known my desire,
but let concealment, Ike a mouse in the
pantry, knaw upon II until il became
a-gnawaying. l pined in thought, and
with a terra Gotta melancholy, sat ike
grief gazing at a politician upon a mon
ument. Why should the spirit Of NOR
tai be frustrated in its high aspirations:
| cannot answer my own conuudrum
but ii is often.
Some years ago, with these same sen
timeuts, promenadIng. hand III hand,
thro' every avenue OF my patriotic heart,
the idea struck me that WAS e%mineutly
qualified TO adoru the Senate OF one Of
the States IN the capacity OF a reading
clerk. So thoroughly did this idea Inn
press me that | resolved, at the earnest
solicitation of many friends" TO run for
the office. | ran. The weather at the
time OF the converting of the Legislature
was not of the kind To add inspiration 10
a mans hopes-a drilling rain, muddy.
and not at all cheerful. | purchased a
new pair of rubber overshoes and visited
the States capital TO begin the arduous
duties of a canvass tor..reading clerk. !
reached my destination the day before
the caucuses and the Legislature met.
found the hotel, aud boarding houses
crowded. 1t seemed as il everybody
had left home, except the women and
children. There was no accommoda-
ton tor ple-not even so much as one
nights lodging. a vague idea fioated
through my mind like an unwelcome
dream, after viewing the field, that one
night would be sufficient for me, and II
was. Forget that night! You might as
well ask memory 10 cease gathering up
the recollectlons of the past The clerk
informed me III his most pleasing man
ner that several gentlemen would occu-
py the office. and If | could do no better,
was !, rtectly welcome TO such accom-
modations as | could finding laying
around loose. | could do no better. Ii
was late in the evening. aud belLg weary
from the labors OF a very active cam
paign in which | had the pledges OF a
dozen or mere Senators, | seated my
self III a chair and propped my feet up on
a huge trunk. Wrapt in thought, and a
gossamer coat, | courted natures ,weei
r~estorer. Happy soul. Bright hopes
realized. | was elected Ia my dreams.
The Senate vas organized, busy as d
hive of bees, and the reading clerk was
d~ischarging his business with prompt
ness and dispatch. That was me. How
long | enjoyed this phantom OF hope, OF
pursued, with pleasure the dreamy
whisperings of fancy, | do not know
: When | awoke the night was gone, ant
I so were nay overshoes-gone Ike the
bright dream from which | had beer
aroused. They had been extracted from
nv feet, during my slumbers. Though
it has been years ago, | hope now. nc
rival candidatep erpetrated the decd.
The Legislature met.
The other fellow captured the Senate
got all the votes except three. Wher
the news was very gently conveyed &c
me, at the Hotel where | was stopping
| began to look around for the dozen OF
! more fellows that pledged me their sup
port. But they were not. said ] &c
myself, Young mas, so home; and
went. Go home and study the politician
/ and [ did. Go home and learn the ways
of political life: and j have. Go honi'
and put not your trust IN the pledges o
public men, or what men shall say unto
} and | haven't. | went home congratulate.
ing myself that the fellow who ook my
overshoes didn't take my coat also, anC
that the Senate had, with great gener-
osity and extreme politeness, relieved me
from a wonderful amount OF public read
Ing, thus evincing an extreme regard tol
my modesty, which | appreciate now
Winston, \. G..