Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1892-10-25
rsg on DgaY raxAs gpITON.

the OLDEST TEXAS GpIvoR.
Al sevsuty-eight IIamiltou Stuart 10
probably The Oldest editorial worker on
daily paper In thc country. Certainly
IN u ths Texas Nestor. II he lives six
year, be viii celebrate hIa seml-centen-
Nal 90 an editor In that state. lie went
10 Texas yesrs before Texaa had become
one Of the United States. Texas's indc-
peuiencc Of MexIco had been declared
only two ycars. The Lone Star rrpabllc
Was In lie Infancy. Young and hopeful,
Nr. stuart srrived In Texas simultane-
ously With an event which aroused tho
liyeliest emotions at the capital, then &C.
tablisi,ed In Houston. The event Was
the reception of q hogshead of Ice,
brought by shlp from New Orleans. The
lee had been opened. 10 Was, perhaps,
the fret that had come Ca the Texas
capital. Aud shen Mr.. stuart MAS In
troduced Ia ssm Houston, the President
of the republic Was In the act at ssmplinK
the icc With the aid Ut . glass of cham
payne.
The moment Was rather . critical one
for the newcomer. lie Was Somewhat
acquainted by hcsrssy With the rough.
aud ready reputation of Texans. Ite'e
were rczsons why be- desired to make
good impression upon Mr.. iIous'on, Tor
I'VE had come Ia make his home and for
tune In Texas. AZ he expected, Mr..
Houston invited him To drink. Aud, q.
be- had determined Ia do beforehand, he
declined. This Mas an extraordinary
thing tn do In those days, aud u MAS
made the more unusual by the fact that
Mr.. stuart had cone TAI Texas from south
of the Ohio. Mr.. stuart ssid tn Mr..
Houston that he feared be- would think
" ungraeious that he decline'i his hospi-
tally, but IL VAS q fact that he had made
lt rule never To take wine.
"Noung man." said Mr. Houston, put
ting his hand on Mr.. stuart's shoulder,
IL never lnslst upon any one drinking
siih me. sometimes think u woah
have been better for me " ] had never
acquired the habit"
The president of the rpabllc and the
Young eiitor bccan. warm friends.
Year. sfter~ ard the opportunity Ia ~
pay Mr. Houston In kind for the court
..y of their fir.t meeting came to Mr.
stuau. Living little way out cf Hal
timore nj q country seat VAS q wealthy
gentleman named Dawson. lie hal
Itran.plsntei to American soli the grn-
,fous aud ho.pltablc ways of the Eng-
| II.h gentleman. When Texas VAS strug-
CLING Tar maintain her Independence, not
Knowing whether MeSico would abide
nv the nrbitrsment of ssn Jscinto, this
Mr.. Dawson MAS the sympsthlrcr ~ho
Furnished Ia the new born rspublic q
navy. IL wasn't much of . navy az
navIes 90 nov adays, but u vent .
long way. Ia help the little ma
tiou Ia maintain its digniiy on the
seas. Mr.. Houston aud other leadln.
men Of Texas vent to Washington
on an important mission. Mr.. stuart
preceded the party. u WAS arranged
that Gu the way the whole party sbould
Il stop At Mr.. law sons country scst aud
IL entertained q day or two before going
To Washington. Mr.. stuart MAS the
guest % Mr.. Daws son before the others
arrived. lie .aw the open-hsDded style
In which Mr.. Dawson entertained, and
he felt spprebensi,e 81 the result. The
baltimore gentleman MAS very proud al
hl. vine cellar. llis custom VAS "a place
befor. whom be wished Ia honor most
special brand 10 vine which va. at
that time sixty year. old. Holding u uP
bcfor. his guests, he would de-cant upon
ts sg,, II. history, and it, qualities, aud
call for an opinion from zach one. sit.
ting az Mr.. Dawson's table, and having
l..sri him tell ~ his h,oriie wine, Mr..
stuart suddenly said;
mir. Daw .on, I would rather lose go
than ace Gen. Houston lo.e his sclf.
control through the effect of that wine. "
Mr.. Dawson pau.ci q momsnt aud
then replied ihcughtfully aud With em'
phasis: -.
"Mr. stuart. I would rather lo.e siSl
than .cc Gen. Ilonston tempted at my
table"
Nothing more passed upon the subject.
In q few days Mr.. Houston and hi. part,
arrived aud were made thoroughly at
home by Mr.. Dawson. Dinner time came
and at the usual place Ia the ceremony.
the chief event of th. day. the sixiy-ycir-
old wine Was brought In and placed
l~forr the host. Hut not q word Vas ut
tered Of the age, history or qualitie. of
III. famou. vine. Having seen the vine
made ready for serving, without any of
the usual preliminary talk. Mr. Dawson
turned To Mr.. Houston, Who at at hi.
right In the place of honor, and remark
.d In the most casual tone!
MIR. President, I believe you do no,
drinky'
.No, sir." said Mr.. Houston, quietly.
| And without anything further the
wine WAS served o. Oh. other guests a'
" Il had been ordinary clarrt.-st'
II l aAl.l-.-