The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-05-30
GENUINE COURTESY.
Instances of True Breeding In the Hur
bier Ranks of Life.

GENUINE COURTESY.
Instances of True Breeding in the Hum.
bier Ranks of Life.
It is not always in court circles or
among the aristocracy Of land that the
truest courtesy is found. In the hum
bier ranks of life are often seen in
stances Of true breeding that would put
to the blush some of our upper five hun
dred. Nearly fifty years ago, when John
j. Crittenden, the distinguished Senator
from Kentucky, was stumping that State
for the election Of his friend, Henry
Clay, to the Presidency, he stayed for a
few days in Danville, 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 neighbor-
hood, together with these visitors, were
invited to big dinner" at the house
of Mr.. s., well-to-do farmer and
stanch Wing, who lived 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 an
pointed for Thursday, that the family
were put on somewhat short commons.
On Wednesday the Senator started
out from the house, where he was STAY
ing, for a morning walk. Absorbed in
thought on the political situation, he
was not aware how the time passed un-
til, glancing up to the sky, he saw by
the sun that it was noon.
why" he said to himself, 81 must
hasten, or / shall be too late for Mr..
SIS dinner!"
He had forgotten that the dinner was
appointed for the next day. Taking a
short cut through the woods, he soon
arrived at the farmhouse. He noticed
an unusual commotion in the yard, where
the slaughter of turkeys was engaging
the attention of a crowd of little darkies.
and thinking he must be late, he has,
tened his steps.
Mr.. and Mrs. s. were standing on
the front porch, watching the turkies
and the darkies, when Mr.. Crittenden
approached. Mrs. S. understood the
situation at once.
"Bless my heart, husband" she said,
''yonders Senator Crittenden! He's COM
ing to dinner, sure's the worlds He
thinks it's tomorrow. What shall we
do?"
Invite him in," said the old farmer,
'and give him the best we have"
At that moment the dinner-horn
sounded, and the visitor reached the
steps. Mr.. S. advanced to meet him.
but before he could utter word, the
Senator said:
II hope 1 have not kept your dinner
waiting, Mr. S. I was walking in
the woods, and did not notice the hour"
Indeed, no." was the instant reply.
''It is only just ready. Walk in, sir
walk in! I am glad to see you under
my roof"
He took his visitors hand heartily,
introduced him to his wife, and then
led the way into the dining-room. 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 cartridges with which the hemp
fields abounded. Senator Crittenden was
proverbially an absent-minded man, and
the fact that he was the only guest did
not occur to him. On the contrary, he
thoroughly enjoyed his dinner, and de-
lighted the heart of his hostess by tell
ing 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 conversa-
ton over cob pipes on the front porch,
he arose to take his leave. AS he shook
hands at parting, Mr.. s. said:
Don't forget, Senator, that you are
to come and dine with me tomorrow"
"TO-morrow!' echoed his visitor, COW
cred with confusion. "Bless my soul,
sir, l thought it was to-day, and of
course, you was not expecting any one
to-dayl What stupid blunder on my
partp'
''Not at ALL" was the courteous an
swer. ''It has only given us two pleas
ures instead of one, and / only wish it
might occur often
The next day forty gentlemen were
entertained at the old farmhouse in
princely, if arbaric, 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, 81 have
never seen any where in any court cir
Gle more ease, more self-possession or
more true courtesy, than was shown by
that old farmer and his family. They
apologized for nothing; there was never
an intimation that was unwelcome, or
even unlocked for, or that any thing
was amiss. 1t was the height of good
breeding. was proud of my people,
Youths Companion.
Homely Women of Portugal.
The Portuguese men are rather below
the medium height, of olive complexion.
L L I L.