News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-02-23
WHY HE LAUGHED.
How Sunset Cox Earned an Occa-
sionaI Hour with Statesmen.

Although nearly 60 years of age, Sun
set Cox is nearly as jolly as he used to
be, He has been q quarter of O. century
in the lower House of Congress, and in
his time has been O little wild, and
needed more fun and excitement than
his own witticisms and the debates / n
the House afforded him. But he has
changed his habits in this respect, and
is taking much better care of his health
than he usedt to do. Cox married a m
" woman with q handsome fortune, and
never likes to do anything to displease
her. He has no children and is wrap
ped up in those domestic relations which
his wife alone affords him. But he used
to want to have a good time away
from the restraining influences OF do
nestle matters about one a week.
"Cox used to get out of his house at
night by @ verynovel and characteristic
excuse" said one of his old chums.
s'When he intended to make a night of
it he would invariably go home at an
early hour, dress himself in his slippers
and smoking coat, crawl well down into
n comfortable chair, draw himself up in
front of the CRATE, read to his wife and
congratulate himself in audible tones
on his ability to get away from the cares
of public life. He generally expressed
himself as not feeling first-rate, and
crawled into bed before II o'clock.
"About midnight the crowd down at
the club, who were to enjoy the society
of the funny statesman, as per arrange
ment, would send a delegate to Cox's
residence. He would rap gently on the
door, and the statesman would com
plain bitterly at being disturbed, al
though he had been resting with eye
open and his mind bent on the good
time in waiting. He generally felt too
badly to go to the door, and Mrs. Cox
would kindly consent to 60 herself. The
delegate from the crowd always wore a
very serious look, and spoke in a zone OF
great Importance and apprehension.
"He would tell Mrs. Cox that there
was a caucus on hand at which her hus-
band was to preside. He always depre-
Gated the fact that the business of
the caucus could not proceed unless her
husband was there, as no one could con-
duct the proceedings without the ln1or-
nation he carried in his head. COX
would first hear this statement n
would groan like q boy who has gored
himself with June apples. When Mrs.
Cox returned to bed and informed HIM
of what was wanted he appeared to be
in the greatest agony and would threaten
to resign his place in Congress if this
thing kept up. Then he would 60 to
the door with Mrs. Cox and beg like a
good fellow to be let off. But the mes
senger would be immovable, and would
declare that his absence from the caucus
would entail untold inconvenience.
When Cox would dress himself, and IN
going out of the house would experience
considerable dis~comforture in SUPPRESS
ing his laughter oven the accomplished
manner in which the scheme was worked.
"When he returned to the house in
time for breakfast next day his prolonged
absence would always be on account OF
the lateness the hour at which the eau
Gus adjourned and his dislike to awaken
the good housewife"
A TRAVELLING man noted a curious
camp along the line of the road in Kan
cnu iIhn urnntl,nr ,ro, o H. l,1Drr p,.N