The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-12-27
CONGRESSMAN CUMMINGS.
He Tells Stories Some of His Experience rs
Newspaper Man.

Congressman Amos Cummings was
entertaining little group at a soda
fountain with few of his choicest and
oldest stories the other evening, saws A
Washington letter to the Philadelphia
Times, and among others told was one
concerning the only time he was ever
under arrest. There was a man en-
ployed to write certain editorial matter
for the New York San at time when
Mr.. Cummings was actively connected
with the paper and one day this citizen
went off suddenly on a 'tear." He
was missed from his desk in the office
for several days. One day he was
heard from very unexpectedly. A man
giving the name of Charles A. Dana
was arrested for being intoxicated in
public. At short intervals thereafter
every one employed ON the editorial
staff was brought up in the police
courts for the same ofense. Mr.. Cum
mings' reputation suffered with the
rest. All this time the man, who was
nasquerading under these distinguish
ed names did not put in an appearance
at the Office. One day he appeared
unexpectedly in the business Office of
the paper. He stood for several -min-
utes looking ahead of him. Some one
presently stepped up to him and said:
'.Is there anything we can do for you,
Mr.. Mp
Yes" said the late editor in .
rather foggy voice Il want shee
Mr.. England was passing by. He
was called.
"Well,"' said he what do you want2n
"Are you the proprietorP" was the
inquiry. "
"Yes." was the reply.
"Well.I want give you shum advishe
You discharge your barkeep'. / been
standin' here ten min'tes now, and
havn't had drink yet"
A story of Mr.. Cummings, which is
familiar to only few of his friends, re-
lates to an experience with an old
business associate who had lost his
grip ON affairs through devotion. to
drink. He owed money to every one
he knew and there was no prospect.
immediate or remote, that he would
settle. One day Mr.. Cummings was 60
ing down the street when he saw his
old friend evidently in the tllroes of
despair. His air was of extreme de-
lection, due as much evidently to
trouble as to drink. He was rather
awkwarllly supporting iamp-post and
dismally shaking his head. Mr.. Cum
mings approached him.
whats the matter, Jim" he said.
"Go away" was the reply. '.Ain'r a
mans sorrow his own?"
"'All right" said Mr.. Cummings.
"You take care of your sorrows,
then"
But the man called him back. 81
see you meant to be sympathetic" he
said. II am in great trouble. My wife
and little ones have been turned out of
doors for the rent, and all my furniture
and everything l own in the world is
out on the sidewalk. That's not a very
pleasant thing for man to go home
to-" and he burst into tears.
''Oh, brace up," said the sympathetic
Cummings. BE a man. Here's a
ten-dollar bill. Go home with that now
to your wife and see if you can fix
things up"
Tue man thanked him most profuse-
IL. Two hours later Mr.. Cummings
was walking uptown when he saw in
the doorway of a well-kuown Bohemian
resort his friend of the lamp-post.
He was very full now and in q most
cOngenial humor.
Come in here, Cummings" he
shouted. Come in and have a drink. -
Mr.. Cummings went in and. de-
termined to get back as much of his $40
as possible, ordered Accent drink.
Then he turned to the drunken man
and said: Where did you get your
money, JimP"
"Oh, 1 struck a jay up the street a
little while ago" was the reply, "and
he gave ME $40. Have another drink.
And Mr.. Cummings took the drink,
convinced that it was the only way he
would get back any part Of his charity.