National Republican., 1888-02-24
LIVING IN DREAMLAND.
The Absent Mindedness OF Associate
Justice Lamar.

JuttiCe Lamar.
Justice Lamar, the newly appointed asso-
ciate OF the Supreme Court, Is perhaps the
most absent minded Of all great men on
this continent Some years ago he was
chairman OF an important committee In the
Senate. 1t 10 said he started from his hotel
one morning in great haste in order to be
on time to attend O committee meeting
While going along the avenue at rapid
walk toward the capitol gust OF wind
blew his hat In the street In the oppo-
site direction from which he was going
After his hat had Travelled considerable
distance up the avenue II was finally cap
tured by small boy and presented to the
senator, who In kindness gave him a quar-
ter for his services. After brushing the
dust from bis hat he placed It on his head
and continued towalk in the same direction
the wind had taken his hat, up the avenue
toward the Treasury Department The
senator, rot thinking which way he was
going, continued his walk rapidly until ne
reached the Treasury building. passed
up the steps, jumped In the elevator,
told the man TO put him out on the second
floor, which he did The senator turned
round the broad hall, opened the door OF a
IuOms Wutu, uiuCu W ulb Hb'UulbuIntnl,W WIN
should he find but the Secretary OF the
Treasury. Instead Of being in the Senate
committee room he was in the Secretary's 8
office. He was greeted cordially by the
Secretary and asked to take seat. Tne
senator exclaimed "l have made mistake 3;
| thought was In the capitol; but as am
here will talk little business with you"
"What thall 1t be2n said the Secretary.
Lamar replied: ~ have come to ask the
mt ~ nAlA nj x,.l. d.
worthy In every sense to hold such a posi-
ton as i will ask for him; | want the posi-
tion OF messenger for him." The Secretary
said: ~ will be most happy to comply with
your wishes: the man shall be appointed "
Some days after this ex Senator Bruce,
from Mississippi. called upon the Secretary
ind asked him II he knew anything about
the political record Of the colored mar whom
he had appointed for Senator Lamar. 81
only know this, said the Secretary, "Senator
Lemar recommended him as worthy nd
well qualified fer the position" Bruce re.
piled: THAT II all was Il member Of the
Mississippi Legislature and voted for Lsmar
for United States senator" The Secretary
taid at is so seldom that a Democratic
senator ever recommends colorei man 10
such warm terms as Mr.. Lamar did. think
the appointment should stand.n
The senator left the treasury building,
" tuht u LOT Iut CatlJOI.
Through come mistake he took nm avenue
car, ard when he found himself again he
was at the Georgetown car stables. Look.
ing cut upon the dead old town he soon
saw he was not at the capitol nor the navy
yard He asked the conductor how long
1t would be before he could get q car FOR
tie navy yard. Five minutes, replied the
ticket clipper. Lamar boarded the next
car for the capitol. When the car reached the
Wpr artr SN11 Al fsta - IA,
senator's got aboard. He soon became so
much absorbed with his old friend that he
passed the capitol, aud the next stop was
at the navy yard. He remarked to his
friend that he had been trying to get to the
capitol to attend committee meeting oil
the morning. 1t was then 1880 o'clock.
Lamar saw stray hackman passlng G
slowly, and he hailed him; he asked the
driver II ne could take him to the capitol,
and how long It would be to take him. ''Ff-
teen minutes" was the prompt reply. The
senator boarded the h ok, aud the driver
droTe of for the capitol. Lamar reached
the Senate twenty minutes from the time
he left the navy yard. His friends IN the
Senate asked him where he had been all the
morning, that he had been needed several
times. lie replied, "Ihave been ever since
10 O'Clock trying to get here by way OF tnt
treasury, Georgetown, and the navy yard
and at last ! hired hackman to deliver
me at the Senate; am now here" said he
''and ready for any business which tn,
Democratic party may need me for"