Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-05
A GREAT REJUVENATOR.
What ThirtY-SiX-Year-O Whisky
Did for Lazy Congressman.
wasAin0toa Cor. Baltimore Amsrican


Wdshinotoa Cor. Baltimore Amsricdn.
Senator Joe Blackburn. of Kentucky,
entered the committee room Of Represen-
tative Wharton Green, of North Carolina,
the other day during the sitting of Con-
gress. In his arms he carried small
package, neatly put up. A crowd Of
southerners stood around discussing
politics and legislation. The Blue Grass
statesman, soon after entering the room,
gave vent to his enthusiasm by remark
ing:
"Wharton. l have a present for you.
Take it. 1t is a bottle OF th1rty-six-year-
old whisky, smooth as oil and sweet as
honey"
Mr.. Green, who is one of the most eX-
tensive wine growers in the United States
and who knows what good article Of
drink is, took the bottle and thanked the
doncr. Senator Blackburn continued to
stand in the middle Of the floor and smile.
Finally, be said:
'Thirty-six years ago old Grandfather
LOchrane, of Woodford county, Kentucky,
spent an hour at my fathers house. They
were old friends. l was a chump of boy
10 years old. Lochrane always pointed
me out as a rising statesman, and took
great pride In assuring my father that
that bow joe would be in the United
States Senate. On this occasion of
Lochrane's visit to my fathers house /
remember to have been with the two men
when old man Lochrane said that he had
just run of the finest barrel of whisky
that had ever passed through Kentucky
worm, and that he had Dramatically
sealed the bungs to that barrel. and dtd
not propose to open them till that boy
joe was United States Senator. Well,
to make long story short, Lochrane
! never tailed to remind my father of his
vow whenever l took step upwards.
The old man was here a few years ago,
when was member of the House, and
reminded me that he had that barrel OF
| LIQUOR vet, which would not be opened
until / was promoted to the other end Of
the capitol. A year ago the old man
Lochrane died. On his lips was request
that his son should execute his pledge in
reference to that barrel of whisky. At
that time had been elected to the Senate,
but had not taken my seat. The other
day received letter from young Loeb
rane, stating that he had shipped to my
address several bottles OF whisky from the
barrel filled by his father more than a
third of a century ago. They came in
this shape" Holding up quart bottle
sealed with wax.
Presently Senator Pugh entered the
room, Senator Blackburn immediately
presented him with a bottle Of the liquor.
Next day Senator Blackburn was in
the same room when Senator Pugh en-
tered.
Joe" said tbe Alabama Senator, 81
am not a beggsE but there is one
thing that L would like to request of
you"
Senator Blackburn looked up at his
friend in surprise and expected o very
grave request.
THAT bottle of liquer which you gave
me Yesterday" continued Senator Pugh,
''was the smoothest and most eXhilarat-
ing stimulaRt l ever tasted. 1t is the
elixir of life. l have two friends in the
Senate who are reformed drunkards. Now
] haven't much confidence in reformed
drunkards, because they either become no
account or return to their designations.
The men l refer to are Vance and Vest.
They have not been worth fig for Sena-
torial work for weeks. They are com.
pIetely relaxed and have no ambition"
Before Senator Pugh could proceed
further the Kentuckian assured him that
two bottles OF the "Eixir of Life" should
be delivered to the Senator's aforesaid that
afternoon. On the following morning
Senator Push paid Senator Blackburn
another visit. Wreaths of smiles clothed
his face.
Ibid you observe" remarked Pugh, as
soon as he entered Blackburn's commit
tee room, chow agile, how fsr-seelng, and
quick, and broad-brained a Senator from
Missouri and a Senator from North Caro-
lima were last EVENING" The brightest
speeches and the greatest statemsushIp
flowed from their lips. Joe, I wish we
had thousand barrels OF the rejuvenator.
II we had, we could reunite the two
ganti0ua Of the country roRtOra the
South, and become a prosperous party
again -