Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-05-22
GENUINE COURTESY.
Ins tances Of True Breeding In
the Humber Ranks Of Life.

1t Is not always in court circles or
among the aristocracv of land that the
truest courtesy is found. In the humber
ranks OF life are often seen instances Of
true. breeding that would put to the
blush some of our upper five hundred.
Nearly fifty years ago, when John j..
Crittenden, the distinguished Senator
from Kentucky, was stumping that
state for the election of his friend, Hen
ry Clay, to the Presidency, he stayed
for few days in Danville, a town in
the Blue Grass region.
The Wings from near and far were
gathered IN force in the little city, and
the distinguished men of the neighbour
hood, together with these visitors, were
invited to a "big dinner" at the house
of Mr.. s., IL we'll to do farmer and
staunch Wing, who lived a mile Or two
in the country.
For days the available force of the
farm had been so employed in preparing
for the great occasion, which was ap-
pointed for Thur day, that the family
were put on somewhat short commons.
On Wednesday the Senator started
out from the house, where he was stay
ing, for morning walk. Absorbed in
thought on the political situation, he
was not aware how the tl.ne passed
until, glancing up to the sky, he saw
by the sun that it was noon.
"Why,' he said to himself, II must
hasten, or | shall be too late for Mr..
SIS dinner J.
He had forgotten that the dinner was
appointed for the next day. Taking a
short cut through the woods, he soon
arrived at the farm house. He noticed
an unusual commotion in the yard,
where the slaughter of turkeys was
engaging the attention of crowd Of
little darkies. and thinking he must be
late, he fastened his steps.
Mr.. and Mrs. s. We're standing on
the front porch, watching the turkies
and the darkies, when Mr.. Crittenden
approached. Mrs. S. understood the
situation ut once.
"Bless my heart, husband she said,
"yonders Senator Crittenden He's
coming to dinner, sure's the world ,
He thinks it's tomorrow. What shall
we do?'
Invite him in said the old farmer,
land give him the best we have"
At that moment the dlnnsr-horn
sounded, and the visitor reached the
steps. Mr.. s. advanced to meet
him, but before he could utter word,
the Senator said:
I hope have not kept your dinner
waiting, Mr.. s.. l was walking in
the woods, and did not notice the hour.
Indeed, no. was the instant reply
1t is only just ready. Walk in, SIR
walk in! l am glad to see you under
my roof.
lie took his visitors hand heartily,
introduced him to his wife, and then
led the way to the diningroom. In the
room were already gathered his three
stalwart sons, and smoking on the board
were the traditional hog and hominy,
with the potatoes and corn bread Of
Kentucky farm-life.
The homely dishes were passed to the
Washington Senator, while the talk ran.
upon the coming election, the crops and
the partridges with which the hemp
fields abounded. Senator Crittnden
was proverbialfy an absentminded man
and the fact that he was the only guest
did not occur to him, On the contrary,
he thoroughly enjoyed his dinner, and
delighted the heart of his hostess by
telling her that her corn pones tasted
Just as his mothers used to do when he
was boy in Woodford county.
After dinner, and an hours conyer-
sation over cob pipes on the front porch
he arose to take his leave. AS he shook
hands at parting. Mr.. s. said:
Dent forget, Senator that you are to
come and dine with me to morrow
Tomorrow echoed his visitor, Gov
cred with confusion. Bless my soul,
sir, I thought it was today, and of course
you was not expecting any one to-day !
What stupid blunder on my part
Not at ALL was the courteous an
swer. 1T has only given us two pleas.
ures instead of one, and I only wish it
might occur often
The next day forty gentlemen were
entertained at the old farm house in
princely, if semi barbaric, style, but the
Senator declared that he enjoyed none
of it as he had done the simplicity of the
day before.
and, SIR he said, telling the story
to friend in Washington, I have new.