The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-09
he LICKED THs BULLY
Gov. Curtin Tells How a Soldier won
Promotion.
From the Nelo YORK SIM

WV SHEbln 4otIS HOW a Solder Wol
Promotion.
From The Neto York Sun.
II was several L1onths ago. We war.
sitting by a cosy fire in the cloak room q,
the democratic side of the House n
Representatives when ex-Gov. Andres
q. Curtin of Pennsylvania entered
His hair is as white as the pIuma0t
Of snowy heron, but he retaIS,
much OF the fire OF the youth. He is a,
straight as an arrow, and his ewes sDarL[Ie
like the eyes of a canary. And there is fuII
as much music in him. His mind ia as clear
as an Italian sky, his memory Of past ,yenrs
marvellous, and his power of descriDtior
perfect. A colored boy took his coat hot
and umbrella, ana he Joined tbe
storytelling group at the bright fireslde
1t was a favorlte nook with him while q
member OF the House. He preferred it TO
the room OF the committee on foreign
affairs, of which he was chairman. He was
hardly seated before Gen. Fornev of Ala
banla passed him a fragrant Intirnidad
After lighting it, he crossed his legs hIavv
wreaths OF smoke into the air. and listened
TO past "reminiscences.
In the hall outside the droning reading of
the clerk OF the House was heard interrupted
at times by the sharp rap of the speakers
gavel. Through the open door a glIurSe of
the side gallery was had. Several
ladies were leaning forward, evidently
regarding the little circle at the ipgle-
side with curious interest. Their at
tentlon was momentarily distracted bv
a sharp spat between Gen. Spinola and
Louis E. McComas over a district hill bnt
1t again became concentrated upon the
group in the cloak room. Gov. Curtin
was telling q war story. The handsome
old fellow was all aglow. His face pict-
uret the emotions of his soul. and
his gestures were alive with descrintiva
power. Framed by the doorway, with the
fire as background, and such men as Crisn
Of Georgia and Flower of New York in the
circle OF listeners, he must have made a
more than interesting picture as seen from
the galleries.
There was some humor in the governors
story, but it was almost lost In its-strain Of
sentiment. The incident occurred in the
second or third year Of the war The gov
ernor had left Harrisburg, and come to
Washington on business. A great battle
had been fought. The number of killed
and wounded hao mounted into the
thousands. Gov. Curtin had been in con
sultatlon with the President and members
OF his cabinet. He had returned to the cap
ltol, where there was night session of con
gress when an old lady dressed in deep
mourning accosted him. She was evidently
very poor and nearly distracted. She
wore old-fashioned black mlts, and her
habillments of woe were worn and
rusty. Her face was wan and wrinkled.
and her fingers we're toughened with work
and gnarled with rheumatism. She had not
heard from her boy since the great battle
and she had come to Washington in search
of information. He had enlisted in a regi-
ment raised in the mountains of Pennsyl-
vania, and had been at the front for more
than year.
"Oh, governor" she cried, as tears
streamed down her faded cheeks, my boy
never failed to write before. He always
sent me letter after a battle. | haven't
heard from him now in more than a fort
night. He's the only boy left me, and can
never live without him. Oh, fear he's
dead or sorely wounded. If / could only
get through the lines to nurse him or bring
his body back home. Please, governor, try
70 get me pass, and God will bless you.
My heart will break without my boy"
The governor said that he heard the num-
Der OF the regiment with shudder. It had
been in the very heart OF the tight. and had
been cut to pieces. His heart went out to
the old mother. II her boy was alive be
was determined that she should sea him, or
II dead, hat she ould have his BODY
Upon questioning her he found that she
was utterly destitute. She hadn't even
money enough to pay for nights lodging.
tie as ured her that he would do what he
could for her. He would see either the
PRESIDENT or the Secretary of War in the
morning and get her a pass through our
lines. Then he took her by the arm and
escorted her down stairs. Passing out ul-
Ger the arch OF the Senate wing Of the CAPT
tol he hailed a cab. Gallanlly ;sjst. NJ the
old lady into it he paid the cabmau his fee
and told him to drive his charge
% hotel where the governor was
~
.ent many destitute friend AS the cab
rattled away the governor turned t. re-
enter the capitol, Men ne met John Sher-
man, Ben Wade and GalusLa j. Grow,
then speaker Of the House. The Senate had
adjourned, and they were on their way
home. 1t was a clear night. The grea.
temple Of national legislation shene III the
moonlight like u palace of G!abaster. The
city lay below them dotted with gas lights.
The music OF drum wes heard away Off
on the right. A railroad train had arrived
with a new regiment, and the troops were
seeking quarters at the Soldiers Rest.
The four statesmen descended Capitol Hill
together. The dritted down PENNSYLVANIA
avenue, conversing on political topics. They
had halted on curner near the National
hotel, preparatory to separating, when a
cab was driven to the curb near by. It's
driver was IN an alteration with q
woman inside the vehicle Gov. Cur
tin was even then telling the senators and
speaker the story of his meeting with the
old lady in the capitol. The alteration at
tracted his attention. The driver was using
villainous language. He insisted that his
passenger should leave the hack then and
there, or he would pull her out.
something told me.n said the governor,
that it was my old lady who was in
trouble
He stepped to the door Of the hack and
looked in. The suspicion was confirmed.
She was the old woman whom he had sent
to the hotel, and she was in trouble The
driver had not taken her to her destination.
he had stopped at two or three saloons and
spent his fee for liquor. Possibly he had
forgotten where the old lady was to go. but
at all events be had determined to drop her
on the street, and let her shift for her
self He was filling the air with
profanity and threatening the poor old
woman with violence. The governor was
indignant. He asked the hackman whether
he had not paid him to take the old lady to
specified place of shelter. The driver
swore that he had never seen him before,
and threatened TO punch his head if he
did not mind his own business. The
governors indignation was getting the
better of mis- Judgment. Sherman
and Grow tried to calm him, but old Ben
Wade grew as hot as a bird pepper and
swore like a pirate. He not only wanted
tie hackman thrashed, but he wanted TO
helm Curtin thrash hin, The drivaf. wac @