Telegram-herald., 1890-08-07


quarter, there on the large lawn was the
speaker OF tie house, clad in his Row
famous summer suit ana bread six sash,
with racquet IA his hand and ms eve
on the little ball IN tss opposite c0urt
was one OF Mr.. Hits young cons, al ac-
complished tennis player. IL was after
ward explained to me that Mr. Reed had
not really been playing tennis. but that
IN a moment Of pranhshnes5 he had left
the veranda at the challenge OF ono Of
the boys and taken a mOmeltary part
in the game. He was very awkward
bat very jolly looking tennis player
Mr. Reed.
And this reminds me that the speaker Of
the house, who is known throughout the
country as the man of iron viii and Ma
poleonic leadership, IS after all good
deal Of boy. Heis fond OF games, such
IS whist and tennis, and is ii himself
one OF the most humorous and jOvial Of
companions. He Is an exceedingly witty
man, and every day some one or other Of
his bright sayings Is passed around IN
the CAPITOL as Toms" latest joke-his
friends always speak of him but never
TO him as TON" For one am glad TO
know that II man may be great and
powerful-be hated and feared-without
being hard sort OF man. Mr.. Reed
fairly bubbles over with fun at times
II anything humorous occurs while he is
in the chair he makes no effort TO repress
his laughter. On the contrary, he shakes
hfc fo$ az IN, -,of,
OF the incident that others, looking on.
catch the spirit Of the moment and join
in. Mr. Reed Is like big boz, further
more, in that he has not forgotten the
art OF blushing. have seen him blush
like freshman when some speaker on
the floor mentioned him or his course as
presiding officer.
Moreover, the speaker OF the house is
not an unpopular man personally. He
may often be seen of late over on the
Democratic side when the house is in
committee OF the whole and another is
occupying i,le chair, talking and laugh
ing right JOLLY with the very Demo-
crats who few months ago were shak-
ing their fists at him and denouncing
him as tyrant and despot. Not many
days ago, before Mr.. Springer, of Hi
nois, the Democratic wax horse, fell sick
from overwork and retired to the sea-
shore saw the speaker and that prince
Of fighters slipping a lemonade together
down in the restaurant. It has always
been supposed that Reed and Springer
were deadly enemies. Recently the
speakers amiabihty has been most
marked. He had not been able to reach
his present eminent position as the lead
er OF his party II cOngress-for he Is
leader both in the house and senate
without walking rather roughly upon
the toes Of q good many men, and not
all Of them were Democrats, either.
So his geuiality Of the present may be
ascribed TO a desire on his part TO soften
some OF the acerbities Of political war
fare. and to convince the men who were
hating him that he is not so bad after
all. There may be more OF ambition
than of goodness in al this, but as saw
the big speaker awkwardly turning ten
his racquet amid the undisguised amuse-
ment Of the young folks tho involuntary
thought was that he Is a hkable man.
One must admire any man who has his
way about the as.airs OF life in which be
is engaged, If necessary by running over
every one who stands in his way, and
who. at the same time, laughs and grows
fat
Mr. Reed is fond Of sitting on the
veranda Of Mr. Hits house, and this is