The Washington critic., 1886-01-27
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

A friend of Tom Scott, the noted
president of the Pennsylvania Railroad,
told "Carp" of the Cleveland Leader
the other day how Scotts choosing of
railroading as profession hung on the
Tipping of penny. Said he: tom
Scott told me the story himself. He
was the toll collector on the Pennsyl,
vania Canal at Columbia, when the
railroad authorities, hearing that he
was bright young man, offered him
the position of station agent at Altoona,
Scott was very popular, and when he
told his friends of his offer, they urged
him to refuse it and stay on the canal.
He resisted their opportunities, but
finally taking big red copper In his
fingers, said: Boys, will let the fates
decideW Heads is Altoona, and tails
COLUMBIA lie then threw the copper
into the air with twist which sent it
into dozen somersaults, but II fell and
the head was uppermost. The boys
then said that one trial was not enough.
1t must be the best two out Of three.
Scott consented to this and threw twice
more. His next throw was heads, and
so the railroad won. Had the copper
fallen on the other side, who can tell
what his future would have been? ?"
47N
"Carp" also says on the authority of
William Walter Phelps that Mr. Blaine
has just finished the rough draft Of his
last chapter, and that the work will
soon go to press. He does not know
that Mr.. Blaine has any other literary
work in view, but says that he is feel
ing well and spending one of the hap
piest winters of his life. Mr.. Blaine
will not come to Washington this win.
ter, though many of his friends have
been trying to persuade him to do so,
and Mr.. Phelps is especially anxious in
order that Blaine may give some sit
tings to noted Washington artist, who
is painting a full.length portrait of him
for Mr.. Phelps picture gallery. Mr..
Phelps has already a fine full-length
portrait of Garfield, and he desires this
picture of Blaine as sort of companion
piece to it.
Wv
Says +. II. II. in the Atlanta C0nsti,
tuition: happened to be in the Presi-
dents Office the other day when Sena-
tors Camden and Kenna came in. a
dozen gentlemen were already present,
but Senatorial dignity received due and
instant recognition. When the two
Senators of State approach the Presi.
dent together they generally mean
business. And so did the West Vir.
| ginia statesmen. After few casual
remarks they invited the President tc
so shape his affairs that in the spring
lie might spend week with them
| fishing in the matchless bass shoals OF
their mountain streams. The invita-,
tion was followed with glowing de
scriptions of the scenery through
which these clear waters dash, aud with
inspiring tales of the sport they
afforded, Both Senators told good fish
stories which evidently interested the
President. He thanked them heartily
and said he would be delighted to re
move few West Virginia bass from
their present offices. Said hc "Youl
fish stories remind me of one | once
heard. A fellow related to chance
acquaintance a wonderful fish story
and as he concluded asked: Now
don't that surprise your No. was
the cool response; Il am liar my
self. " Both Senators laughed at thi
sally Of Executive humor.
@@@
The signing of the Presidential Sue
cession bill, says Washington lctte
to the Providence journal, suggests
new feature Of the social situation
The old question, "who is the frs
ladyY" is likely to be vigorously dis
cussed, Society had not settled tn
status of Mrs. Sherman as the wife o
the man next in succession TO the Prcsi
dent before the new law was enacted
Those who have contended that Mrs
Sherman was entitled to the plac
of First lady" are nonplussed
Has the supremacy now passeC
to Mrs, Bayard? If Mr.. Bay
ard should die, would Mrs. Man
ming, as the wife of the member of tn
Cabinet second Ain the succession, be
come "frst lad At State dinner
and on other or, Noecasions will tn
wives of member pf the Cabinet tax
rank as first. second, third, fourth an,
fifth ladies. and so on, in accordance t,
the order in which their husband
stand in the Succession bill? Wouldn'
IL be curious, after getting the countr