The Portland daily press., 1890-12-24
THE SPEAKER SAID PLEASANT THINGS,
While Stanley Afrlcanus cazed at
the Wall and Said Nothing.
Mr.. Reed Finds Conversation Diff
cult with the Great Explorer.
Daughters of Maine Officers Of the
Washington Christmas Club.
Especial to the Press.l


Is to be in Portland very soon the people of
the Forest City will have an opportunity OF
seeing him upon the stage. of listening to
his lecture, which Is undoubtedly interest
ing; and such of them as have the oppOrtu-
nifty Of meeting him off the stage. will un-
doubtedly experience the wonderful coldness
and reserve Of his manner which have been
the talk of Washington since he was here
Stanley is of medium height, and ina crowd
would not attract attention unless the OBJ
server should be rather close student Of
faces, and partial to those faces which ex-
press determination and capacity for cool
ness in emergencies. In company where
conversation is expected Stanley Is simply
an enigma, The most famous conversation
alists at Washington gave him up In despair.
During his stay here the great explorer Wis
tied the Capitol, and at once called upon the
Speaker. The interview was undoubtedly
pleasant to both men; but not many words
we're wasted. A local paper has recently
given what purDOrts to be the substance Of
the interview; and the story Is creating con-
siderable amusement among the people who
met Stanley. 1t Is probably not far from
the truth:
"All the civilized world knows how Stan
ley found Livingstone, but there has been no
widespread information as to how the great
explorer found Thomas Bracket Reed. The
first meeting Of these two men took place
Immediately after the conclusion OF the re-
ceptlon which Stanley held in tie House
press gallery. In company with Maj. Pond
he was escorted 10 the Speakers room,
where the gentleman from Maine was wait
ing for the stroke Of noon. The ceremony
of introduction was not elaborate. As the
little party entered the room Mr. Reed (whO
had received about ten seconds warning)
arose In his most dlgniied manner.
"'Mr. Speaker, this is Mr.. Henry M. STAN
ley, 80, :,
Reeds obeisance.beiDg much more sweeping
than Mr.. Stanley's.
"'Will you do me the honor to be seated
queried the Speaker, adding to his request
the gracefully rendered courtesy OF another
profound salaam.
Stanley sat down slowly in the chair
which had been indicated and Immediately
fixed his gaze on a grease spot on the wall
before him.
81 regret exceedingly said the Speaker,
that circumstances made it impossible for
me to attend your lecture last night. To be
absent was decided disappointment for me,
but assure you 1t was unavoidable
'Stanley's gaze was as fixed as ever ON that
spot and not a muscle Of his countenance
gave indication that he heard the remarks
which were being addressed to him. The ST.
lence was becoming embarrassing when the
Speaker tried once more:
i am sure should have enjoyed your re-
cital of the scenes you have witnessed. Your
experiences would have been fatal TO most
men,
"The second pause was longer than the
first and Stanley's eyes never wavered from
the stain on the wall. For several seconds
Reed looked keenly at the impassive features
of the silent one, and then, with see me-
make-him-talk' expression In his own optics,
he broke forth: You had brilliant audi
ence, understand; the best people of the
city listened to your enhancing narr alive
SLOWLY did the seml-barbaric chieftain
turn his bronzed visage toward him whom
impulsve Democrats call the moon-faced
desp0t,' and with much deliberation did he
reply: Yes; it was a very brilliant house.
IL could hardly have been more s0.'
Then Mr.. Reed laughed self-satirizlng
laugh as he said: That is undoubtedly true,
my presence would have added nothing to
the lustre Of such distinguished assemb
lage.'
"Fhere was no answering smile on Stan
ley's face. He was watching that grease
spot again. Not even the Speaker could
cate his eye.
.".Will you remain in the city for any length
Of time?' was Mr.. Reeds next question.
STANLEY shook his head slowly, and then.
when Reed thought another query was about
due. said most funereally: L am going away
on Monday morning
"Iha Speaker looked nervously at his
the HOuse in session.
"'No,' replied Stanley, Il have not
y" L shall be more thar pleased II you will
occupy my seat In the gallery suggested
the Speaker. 'rte House will open In a
lew minutes, and you will then have an 0p-
portunity to witness the interesting c0nfu-
sion which ordinarily prevails. My private
SECRETARY will conduct you to the gallery
by this time Stanley had let go his visual
grip on the grease spot. The two celebrities
90 m
Allen opened the door, held 1t 0pen awhile,
and then shut 1t. Stanley had found Reed
and lost him again in less than ten minutes"
Stanley was esDied the moment he entered
the gallery seat; but he was as impassive
urder the staring Of the members of Con-
gress on the floor below as he has shown
himself under all other circumstances. He
did not seem half so much Interested in
Congress as Congress was In him.
The Children's Christmas Club of Wash.
ington Is worthy rival of its sister organi-
zation in Portland. Its objects are the same
and the amount of happiness that it creates
on Christmas Day is probably some greater.
since in city of 100000 people like Wash
iDatOn there Is a considerably wider field for
effort 1t is expected this year that about
six hundred Washington children will be fed
at the great ia bleS at one of the largest arm
cries in Washington, that of the Rifles on q
street. The Children's Christmas Club here
Is something of Maine institution, though
situated many miles from the borders of the
Pine Tree State. The president elected this
year is Miss Fannie Fuller, youngest daugh-
ter of Chief Justice Fuller, who Is well known
as son OF the Pine Tree State, which makes
Miss Fuller a daughter of the Pine Tree
State. But the vice president stands IN much
nearer relationship, being an actual daughter
of the old state Miss Kitty Reed, daughter
of the Speaker Of the House,
Socially Washington is as yet very quiet
The members of Congress and their wives
are dining about quietly; but no formal re-
ceDtions have been held yet, or will be held
until after Mrs. Harrison gives the grand
New year reception at tne White House
world at Washington has executive approval
to plunge Into the whirl OF formal gaiety