Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-06-24

The Colonel and the Senator sgreeably
TO the wishes of the members resumed at
the last meeting the relating Of reminis-
eenees concerning notable individuals that
they began the week before. The stock In
trade that they had acquired during their
stay in the National Capital proved large
and varied and We xill not attempt to re-
peat here bat a few Of the many stories
told.
The Colonel opened FIRE with the follow
ing
The old rule Of duelling which allows
the challenged party the choice of weapons
has doubtless furnished some of the most
grotesque engagements" which ever oc-
-curred under the old Code Of Honor"
and has probably enabled many a differ
enee to be satisfactorily settled without
bloodshed. Col. Bob Lewis, q prominent
Georgia politician recently related the fol-
lowing personal experience that happened
a number of years ago. He was then pay.
ing devoted attention to young lady, and
had rival as devoted as himself. The
rival grew quarrelsome. and his feelings.
of which he possessed IS fne az assort-
ment IS any duelist that ever stood on the
field, were hurt by something that Col.
Lewis had said. He sent friend" to see
his enemy. A card was handed Col. Lewis,
which read about as follows: "You have
insulted me and 1 demand satisfaction.
You may choose the weapons we shall
fight with. Shall it be pistols. shot guns,
bowie-knives, or What To this card Col.
Lewis replied briefly that he would fight
him with what" I'VE haven't fought
yet" said Col. Bob. 81 don suppose they
have yet invented the weapon / wanted to
fight with. But every time | see that man
in crowd can run him awsy-we are
good friends now-by asking him if he
still wants to fight,
THE number of stories told about
Stephen Girsrd the eccentric founder of the
college which bears his name are numerous"
said the Senator. The following incident
that was told me the other day illustrates
one Of his peculiarities. Girard bad
drsyman who was a decidedly poor man.
One day the drsyman, who was an indus
trous. bright fellow, with ! good many
mouths TO fill at home, was heard to remark
that he wished he was rich. Whats
that. sharply said Girard, WHO heard the
grumble oh. said the man. Il WAS
only wishing | was rich. Well. why
don't You get iichy' said The millionaire
harshy. Il don's know how without
money returned the drayman. 'You
don't need money, said Girard. Well, if
you will tell me how 10 get rich without
money I won't let the grass grow before
trying it, returned the other. There is
going to be q ship load Of confscated
tea sold at auction tomorrow at the wharf;
90 down there and buy it in and then come
10 me- The man laughed. Il have no
money to buy a ship load OF tea with he
said. You don't need any money, tell
you,' snapped the old man. Go down and
bid in the whole cargo and then come TO
me- The next day the arsymsn went
down to the sale. A large crowd of retailers
were present and the auctioneer sail that
those bidding would have the privilege Of
taking one Gaze of the whole ship-losd, and
that the bidding would be 90 the pound
lie then begin the sale. retail grocer
started the bidding and the drayman raised
him. On seeing this the crowd gszad with
no small amount Of surprise. When the case
was knocked down to the draymsn the
auct oneer said he supposed the buyer only
desired the one case. IN take The whole
ship load" ooolly returned the successful
bidder The sactioneer was sstonisbed
but on some one whispering to him that it
was Girard's man who was the speaker his
manner changed. and he said he supposed
il was all right. The news soon spread
that Girard was buying tea in large qusnti-
ties. and the next day the price rose several
cents. go and sell your tea. said tiirard
to the drsy man the mex. day. The draymau
was shrewd. and he went out and made
contracts with several brokers 10 take the
stock at shade below the market rrice,
thereby making quick sale. In few
hours he WAS worth $50, 900.
Say, Senator did you meet Uncle Jer-
~ Rusk when you were in the city asked
the Colonel. and We knew that he was
about to unbosom himself of a story. Ii
wasn't of humorous nature, to be sure,
but it serves TO clearly show that Mr.. Agri-
cultural Secretary is q man of absolute in
dependence in regard to the political re-
comm ndation of his clerks when that
would interfere with what he believes TO be
the best interests of the government ser.
vice. AN intimate friend of the Secre-
tary told me IN = following about that gen.
tieman that ! thought quite interesting
continued the Colonel. ia rearrsnging
matters at ,he close of the fiscal wear it be-
came necessary to transfer one lady from
a roll on which she had been borne to an
other. She was kno~n TO be strongly
backed, and had for some time before the
present administration come into power
dore about as she pleased. The chief of
her division, when informed of the decision
that mad been made in regard to her, said !:
But suppose she objects. l expect she
will be dispieased At the change
Whom will she object tos' asked the
secretary Of agriculture.
Well WAS the reply, L will be the first
TO feel her resentment. for don't suppose
she will appeal to you until she has vented
her anger upon me-
If that woman makes one word Of COM
plant said Uncle Jerry. you make on.
her dismissal and will sign il without de-
lay I'm running this department in the
interest of the govern meat and not to please
any clerk
If didn't hear whether the lady objected
or not -"