Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1891-07-09

interesting Gossip.
"When I had my last vacation
at Old Orchard last summer" said the
Judge. II met an old woman who knew
-"Oh now!" growled his hearers who
from long suffering had learned when
the judges reminiscent mood was on
come off now, George Washington
stories are out of date II met an old
woman who knew Tom Reed as boy, "
calmly pursued his judgeship.
"PCor old down. trodden thing" said
the democrat. The republican said
nothing but looked volumes, for the
Judge is noted mugwump, and until
the point to bis story showed its brazen
head, they would maintain an armed
neutrality.
II carried Thomas Reed to school the
proudly to me. 1T was to the
school on Bracket Street
Portland. Thomas was little tow.
headed fellow then, and his cheeks were
fat and his eyes were as round as buttons
I know I wanted awfully to take him to
school that day, and so did another girl,
and we had a regular squabble over it.
| remember he sat as still as mouse.
We used to have speaking of poetry
every Saturday then, and the teacher
asked: "Are there any others who have
piece they can speak ?" Up got
Thomas, and said: Il know one:
"Old Jim Grow came riding by;
Says I, "Old man your horse will die"
Says he, eff he dies, I'll tan his skin,
And if he lives, I'll ride agin."
'And that's all I know"
THAT, I suppose, is the first speech
he ever made. He had funny little
voice, but he was so earnest about re-
citing his speech that it made us all
laugh. When he was sixteen he got re-
ligion, and was one of the best speakers
we ever had. They say he is an unbe-
lever know, but I don't believe it. No.
body that had the experience that
Thomas Reed had then, would ever 90
back on it at all"
well, I can go you one better than
that" said quiet man in the corner,
''for studied law with him in the Office
of Sewall O. Strout in Portland"
All Strengthened up in their chairs,
the solitary democrat having the near
est to ghost as an expression that be
ever INDUCED in before his politically
antagonistic brethren. The air of armed
neutrality pervading the republicans
became distinctly hostile, but the quiet
man went on:
'Tom was pretty good lawyer, but
he went into politics 80 early that he
never had a chance to distinguish him
self much. I stood behind Tom Reed
late on the afternoon of the election
day in September, 1876. 1t was the first
time he ran for congress, and the dis.
trict was close one. It was in the
office of The Portland Press,
and with him were also
Stanley Pullen, the editor, and Billy
Marks. afterwards an alderman. Dis
patches from various towns were coming
in, and Reed face was red with excite
ment and beaded with perspiration. He
was too excited to speak, but after every
dispatch he took out his handkerchief
and mopped the top of his head. Fin
ally came decisive dispatch. Stanley
Pullen read it, and then fetched Reed 9
whack between the shoulders.
You've got it, Tom. you've got it,
sure!'
DO, you think SOP" said Reed, the
perspiration rolling down his face in
streams. well, I'm darned glad to
hear it,
''Reed has not the arts of politician.
Names First District is rather close
dangerously close at times by one
sharp oaustio answer Reed, nearly lost
his seat in congress. The people in
Brunswick found it necessary to ap-
point q new postmaster. Nine enths
of the citizens wanted one man; certain
politicians of influence wanted another.
Reed gave tie matter but little thought.
and unfortunately recommended the ap-
pointment of the candidate of
the politicians. Brunswickers were
mad but stif1ed their feelings
Not long after this, they
wanted some old cannon for a soldiers
memorial, and wrote to Reed asking
him to get them some from the war de-
partment. As it happened, he was up
to his eyes in work and he wrote the
committee very discouraging letter.
In fact it's terseness paralyzed them.
1t said: "Gentlemen-I am not in the
old junk business this year. Yours
truly, I. B. Reed" Words can not
picture the rage of the Brunswickers.
They went into the next convention
and one after another swore that if
Ion Reed was nominated not the first
living vote would he get in Brunswick
After silence that was audible some
one got up and nominated Tom Reed
Somebody seconded the motion and it
was carried unanimously-all but the
Brunswickers All that campaign, the
leaders were gently stroking the Bruins
wick fur, trying to get it lay down; and
when election day came, Reed got a
barely respectable vote"
''Say-do you think the oyster has
got any brains?" broke in the demo-
crat who had been rampagious.
Now" said the stranger, angry
at this irrelevant question, but
before he could fill up
his lungs-for another long-winded
discourse, the democrat hurriedly adj
ded: 1T is debatable point among
scientists, to be sure, but know it has
got b-b-brains, for it knows when to
sh:sh.shut up," and then the club hast