Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-09-14
THE GAZETTE FORT WORTH. TEXAS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER

given to the page with instruc tons to find her
r'member, - would share the fate of hundreds
similarly sent and be carried out OF sight, torn
up, and the answer brought back mot in. -
Having sent her card to the congressman who
never comes, the little woman sits down, ner-
hand and ready to chat with whomsoever she
happens TO fancy II is said that in all these
years of fruitless waiting she has never exhib-
lied astonishment, disappointment or impa-
thence. Neither in dress, expression or modu-
lation OF voice does she differ much
from the so-called level-headed fem
nlns ~Sts rbbon e0s t ass sbro BLACK
spray or cluster of flowers decorating her belt,
and jaunty tip-back bonnet and stylish red
veil make her very like her sister who claims to
have a mind.
A TALK WITH A PROPHECIES.
The cyclone will be here at 81 she re-
marked, somewhat irrelevantly by way of in
PRODUCTION.
"Where did you get your information?"
asked lady, glancing nervously out at the
''Oh, the Saviour, - replied the seeress. he
generally gives me direct warning of all great
calamities. had day on Lincoln's assasslna-
ton and four hours on Gartield's. The Johns
town flood was told TO me that same morning.
You know, OF course, how to get such messages.
Always stand under a sycamore tree. Mrs. Car
ter, who claims to be the descendant OF Nathan
lei Green, says that her husband was staff Off
Ger under Gen. Banks. She is also more or less
Instantly related to Queen Victoria, Louis Napo-
leon and James G; Blaine. Her principal busi-
ness is that of national detective and her connec
ton with the Silcott she refers to with par
ticular pride. Nothing says Mrs. Carter,
pertaining to the department of Justice is pn-
dertaken without my sanction While the dis
trlct appropriations engage her best efforts she
does not neglect bills OF general lmpor-.
lance an5 she the silver sT
BILE cleverness and confesses to- the frequent
private talks which she enjoys with Harrison,
the supreme judges and congressman, none of
vel Le wit
sulting her.
IN LOVE WITH A CONGRESSMAN.
Among her favorites in the house is ''Dovey
of Delaware who is other than the tall,
elegant and distinguished Mr.. Pennington of
Delaware. Mrs. Carter declares that ''Dovey''
is the author of bill compelling her to marry,
which bill she has had hard time keeping back
this session.
~ have an adopted son in the senate, - re-
marked the national detective.
'.Who?''
mo, indeed, I'll not tell his name but he's
young fellow, and looks exactly like an oys-
ter; fat and slick like an oyster. and no amount
OF coaXlng could induce her to give his other
name
With the exception of ';Dovey'' from Della
ware, she holds congressman in light esteem,
while senators, supreme judges, and even presl-
dents, are regarded as little more than her
chosen messengers and clerks, elected upon her
recommendation and subject to instant DISMISS
al. Against Superintendent Ellis she cherishes
an ill-concealed spite, occasioned it is said, on
his refusing her the privilege of sitting on his
smile, ''I'll clear him out, 1 do the others
when they bother me-
For years to come, as in the past, she will
doubtless continue to hold her imaginary posi-
doubtedly derive more solid comfort from her
fancied power than does any man or woman
from the actual thing.
SHE CARRIED PRESIDENT JAcKSoN'S SNUFF BOX.
Death removed not many months ago another
habitue of newspaper offices and government
departments. She was the widow OF Gen. Ben
Ward Bennett PennSVlVania a
the Mexican war, who was breveted for his
bravery and presented with q gold snuff box, in
which the freedom of New York City had been
given to Andrew Jackson forty years before.
This snuff box YVES always carried by the widow
who fancied that it somehow entitled her to
financial support from New York City, and her
failure to receive which income among her
many grievances. Mrs. Bennett, usual, had
pension claim, which shadow she patiently
supervisory interest over the Nicaragua
canal. She always on the point OF pro-
ducing her maps and explaining the merits Of
her scheme. She was large, handsome wo-
man, always extensively though somewhat
showily dressed, had q fine face, beautiful dark
hair and sparkling dark eyes, and while she
politely received. She had evidently been
society belle in her youth and woman accus-
toned to Difference and respect, and
and demands she approached editors
and officials with easy, half-confidential,
half-disdainful manner, compelling from them
such persons. She was always alone, always
pursuing her claim, yet like so many persons
who have become obliyicus to realities she was
always cheerful and good numored, unless
roused upon her pet hobby. When sudden
death ended her fruitless quest. there were only
kindly words of remem brance spoken OF this
queer lady.
THE GHOST OF CLARA MORRIS AND SPEAKER REED.
The ghost of the little French woman whom
Speaker Reed drove from the capitol, is back
again in flesh and blood. She cannot bring her
store of photographs and souvenirs with her, but
she haunts the galleries and spends hours in the
ladies reception rooms. Aunt ClarR's thirty
years among politicians have not been without
effect. She has learned the fine art of dissimu-
lation. The other day Clara stopped member
in his passage across statuary hall and refer
ing usual to her grievance proceeded TO
berate Speaker Reed. "Scoundrel, brute and
bulldog were some OF the epithets hurled at
/ he man from Maine by her high pitched voice,
when turning suddenly she saw the speaker
himself not three feet away. ''Oh Mr.. Reed.
How do YOU do Mr.. Reed? 1 hope you are well
cantankerous dame. while an elusive smile and
softened glances chased away the frowning
wrinkles and the forked lightning in her eyes.
A CALIFORNIA BEAT.
Straddlebug, Jack OF Clubs, as he is pleas
antly designated by capitol habitues, combines
with his queerness an additional gift for beating
his way. He is an ex-Californian, which fact
has been sorrowfullv demonstrated to the Cali
fornians in official life. 1t is said that this tall
lean, grizzly queer who haunts the senate and
supreme court corridors, succeeds almost daily
in securing something from California mem
Der, senator or from Justice Field So persist
emily does ne pursue the latter that it is said on
approaching the justice will put his hand in his
pocket and give him some money, saying:
There, now; don't talk to me to-day sena-
tor Stanford, in a moment of evaporation one
DAY, gave the man a $40 gold piece thinking to
buy peace by big donation. The next morn
ing as the senator opened his front door to enter
his carriage. his California brother rose up from
the door step and demanded another $50. 1t is
said that the gentleman who has acquired his
peculiar title, by reason OF most unlovely gait,
is married to crippled colored lady, and that
when he returns home without having earned
anything on the California account she beats
him with her crutch.
AN EDUCATED CRANK.
more interesting character is the elderly
STOPPING, grizzled and not over-cleanlY prophet
who studies all the year round in the congress
sional library. This gentleman, who is grad
uate of Yale, master of languages and most
scholarly man, has, he declares, been sent to
e arth by the Lord to lead the colored people
None other than a thorough biblical scholar
would find it profitable to open up theological
discussion with him. and those who have heard
him deliver some of his Sunday night addresses
to the colored people declare them to be won
derful sermons. Every day at noon he leaves
49,,