The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-14

thich he did not feel inclined to answer,
4 and finally l remarked: "But you have
we'll defined views on these matters, gen.
Gal, have you not?''
"Have II" came the response, 81 have
the reputation of having rather decided
views on what ever subject have views"
And the memory of his political battles
brought smile to his lips, and then fall
ing back listlessly in his chair. he added ::
"But am getting old. you know, and no
good can come of my airing these views
now"
Up in Boston the Democrats cay bitter
things of 1.-The old man." The Republic
ans believe he will vote for Harrison, for
they think he voted that way in 1883. But
General Butler chuckles to himself in his
roomy Office ct No. 8 Ashburton place,
and eyades all inquiries as to his latest
political beliefs.
The most amusing part of my rather in
teresting interview with the generation it
was interesting by reason of his shrewd
evasiveness-were the concluding remarks.
had stepped into the little Office occu-
pied by Mr.. Magnus, the generals private
secretary, to thank the latter for arrang-
ing the interview, when the ex-general
stumbled out of his own room, and, with 3
hearty laugh, remarked:
II hope you'll send me copy of-what
didn't say. My newspaper friends al
ways do that"
NY assurance that intended to publish
only facts was of no avail, for the general
seemed to enjoy his little joke immensely
and was bound to have the laugh out.
Then he touched me on the shoulder. re-
marking: 81 didn't mean it. You news
paper folks are the most truthful in the
world. am ont of practice, but I'll make
an affidavit to that"
When first walked in on the general
found him engaged in the very prosaic
task of counting a roll OF money. 1t took
him some time, and had an excellent OPP
portunity TO study the man. He is bent
With age. His face still has q healthy
look. but the massive frame has become
On unmistakable burden. His hands
move unsteadiiy. His eyes appear swollen
and the thick welts of his cheeks almost
completely hide them.
He glanced up when he had finishsd his
task and recalled my mission to him.
''You must talk louder. / cannot hear
very welI'
pered feet on to the table before him and
vas ready to dodge the issues, to pose
this he always does-as 1.-THE Artful."
And he lodged most warily. He is at "a
@clear-headed, as strong-mined, as care
iui, as shrewd as the great octogenarian of
English politics. and he answered
every inquiry put to him with the
most painstaking care to be certain
his remarks would leave the interviewer
very little the wiser. This weighing of
words and the sudden broadening of the
fotund face into smile when he had
scored decided hit in the way of dodge
convinced me that it was clever man in
deed who could fathom Benjamin +. But
Ter even at ~
de. however, prides himself on his
activity. for il is true that he leaves his
Lowell home daily, most often for trip
70 his office, at times TO visit friends, and
MS greatest pleasure is still the yacht
America, in which he has just been cruis-
Ing.
"She has been o good ship to me for
twenty-five years now and ! always like
70 trust myself to her in the summer
time" said he.
The general does very little work in his
once. His secretary answers all his cor
nespondence, and it is bulky mail bag
mat comes to the brown stone building on
Aahhurton place two or three times dur
ing each day.
Il have passed out of the domain OF
Politics" he began, in response TO my first
exploitation. II am getting TO ne an Old
nan, and what may say can not do any
sood and may do some harm. | have
oo@e to the conclusion not to take any