Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1886-04-08
S'irgiuia free gress.
". W. b. GALLAHER, Editor.
Jefferson County, Vest Va.
ApriI s, 1886.
Senatorial Jokers.

The Washington correspondent of the
Baltimore SIN tells the following:
Senators who, when it suits them, are
such sticklers for dignity and etiquette,
like the wisest men, relish a little non
sense now and then. Some of them de-
vote almost as much time to the p.rpe-
tration Of practical jokes on each other
as they do their official duties. The sto-
ry of how some of his associates lay in
wait for Attorney-General Garland when
he was n member Of the Senate, and
palmed off upon him. as caramels, some
atrocious common soap done up in SINH
lar style, gave one instance only Of many
practical Jokes which are of almost daily
occurrence. The last victim was Senator
Beck, at the dinner at the White House,
on Tuesday night Just after the guests
were seated, Senator Butler quietly called d
the butler to him, and motioning toward
Mr. Beck, said that the Kentucky Sena-
tor was apprehensiye of a bilious attack
that champagne always gave him the
headache, and, in accordance with the
wish Of his wife and his physician, he
never took more than one glass "He is
very testy,' continued the South Carroll
ma Senator, and it irritates him very
much to have the walters I'll up his glass
after he has once emptied it. This was
said in the most solemn tone and with
the straightest face, and the butler, hur-
rying off to his assistants, whispered to
them with bated breath 10 be most care
ful not to fill up Mr. Beck's champagne
glass after the first time. The walters
observed the injunction most scrupulous-
ly. Mr.. Beck drained his first glass with
one swallow, rs he Is a most eminent
champagne consumer. Then several
Senators around who had been let into
the secret commenced to torment him.
They would touch their glasses 10 him,
and drink first to one toast and then to
another. Mr.. Beck, in lieu Of cham
pagne, drained his glasse. Of ali the wines
which had preceded champagne. The
walters fought shy Of him, so he had 10
opportunity to drop gentle hint that
they were forgetting him. When his
head was turned they supplied him liber-
ally with Apollinaris, and he had to con
tent himself with that stimulating beyer-
age. 1t was said that he drank the con
tents of two quart bottles, a larger quan
titv. it Is said, than has been consumed
on anv one occasion at the White House
since the famous cold-water banquets Of
Mr.. Hayes. Before the dinner was over
half Of those at the table were let into the
Joke, but it was not until after leaving
the table that through some chance re-
mark the knowledge dawned upon Mr..
Beck Of the amusement which had been
enjoyed at has expense. He interviewed
the butler and found who was responsible.
On matters being explained the butler
drew from his abundant stores, and the
Kentucky Senator was not long in catch
ing up" lie then went TO Senator But
Ter, and firing a shower Of vigorous ex-
pletives at him, but all in good temper,
warned him that he would get even with
him if it took ten years. Mr.. Butler
will be on the alert, but Mr.. Beck IS a
man Of his word"
Society is just ike pie. There is an up
per crust and lower crust but the real