Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-26

One Haggard Congressman Who Hurrfe
lint NJ Toxru

One Haegard Congressman who Hurried
Out OF Town.
eff there amt some one after tina. man you
may stuff my hide for a scarecrow."
Just what WAS thinking. He's the worst
scared-looking man most ever saw. See how
he hides his face and watches folks from under
his hat"
These comments were made by two habitues
Of one Of the downtown hotels the other night.
The object of their attention was Enthusiastically
a man who was at that moment talking with
the hotel clerk and had just come IN from
the depot. He carried a little leather bag in
his hand, his hair had gone week or two
longer without cutting than the rules of civil
lied society sanction, and that part of his face
which was not hidden by the broad brim of a
soft hat pulled low was haggard. He came
in with an air OF haste and nervousness,
quickly surveyed the surroundings as he
slipped up to the desk and as be spoke with the
clerk he glanced furtively about
After a few hurried words the hotel clerk
called bell. boy to show the stranger to a
room. He going up the steps two at a
time, with the dash Of a man who was fleeing
from some hidden danger, when he was stopped
suddenly by some one in front Of him.
We'll, III be When did you come in?
Great Scott! What's the matter With you?"
This salutation brought the stranger to a
stand and be grasped the hand held out to him.
Then the stranger pushed his hat brim back
and the two men came back down the steps and
stood leaning against the cigar stand to talk.
well, you are all right, see," said No. 2,
who was one OF those small politicians always
after you pretty hard. They tell me it was a
great struggle, but you whipped them well. 1
congratulate yon."
Thanks, thanks" replied the stranger, still
looking about with some nervousness.
Il understand they had all the federal off,
GERS after you and spent lots Of money7"
They were like pack of hounds replied
the stranger.
''weli, amt 1t glorious, Landslide! A
regular tidal wave! What was your msjority?"
At this question the two habitues who had
first looked upon the stronger with suspicion
turned to get another look at him and recog-
nized Congressman-it may not do to name
him. They recognized Congressman Blank of
Bankville. They rushed up and seized his
hand. :" 'Rah for Grover.' cried one. ".Rah-
'rah-'rah echoed the other. The stranger was
unmasked and made the best Of it.
I'VE did not know you," his friends oil said
at once. You have had tough campaign. |
Guess you are played out Are you going to
stay until Congress opens?'
II am not going to stay. / am going of
somewhere until the day before Congress meets.
Seventy-five per cent of the voters in my dis
trict are after Office For six weeks of the cam
paign had the hardest fight Of my life for re-
election, but the strain not a circumstance
to what have endured since. At IL O'Clock on
the night OF the election Office seekers began to
circulate petitions. From that time until now
/ have been on the hump to keep out of the
way. 1t does no good to talk about indecent
haste. There Is no use telling them that the
new administration has not vet assumed its
official functions II is vain to tell them that it
is thoughtless of them to intrude upon me now
M front Anor hell - haO nv tba ,piro
The servant has blis.ers on her feet walking to
the door and on her tongue from telling fibs !
am hunted like q fox. THEY'LL be here after me
before morning. Don't let any one know you
saw me. leave tonight Two days after the
election l wen. OUT to little town of 200
inhabitants fifty miles from railroad. l
should be free from molestation. The whole
town welcomed me. They were surprised to
see me, and greatly pleased. Some Of the lead
ing citizens called on me in the evening. They
said that this was thing they had least thought
of. They bad had good men from the district
in Congress before, but none of them had done
so much. They knew was more progressive
and more like one of them than Congressman
generally are, but that they had fully expected
that would want them to come to me. They
had not expected that would get SO far out of
nv way just for them, but they appreciated the
dellcacy Of my course. and that they would
endeavor to make as little confusion as possible
by having each man name some particular Office
ne wanted You see, said one. there are not
more than 200 of us here, and if you can get
Of course We do not all want offce-if you can
fix about fifty of us will have the list made
out to trouble. II was very kind Of you
to come all this way when we could have come
to you just as well. l rode out of that town on
horseback at midnight. / have been coliding
with the same sort of experience ever since.
am going of now to quiet spot in another
state"
'well, we'll see you when you come back
Where are you going to stop" solicited his
friends.
II have fixed all that" replied the hunted
Congressman. II have got q fine place for the
winter, but you will have to excuse me for not
remembering where it is. 1t is on a back
street, convenient to the Capitol but not easy
to find without specific directions. friend
and have engaged rooms in the same house.
Our address will not 60 into the Congressional
Directory. We shall call for our mail at the
House post Office and no one will know where
we live. Why, if / should go TO hotel as
did last year, should be worn out before the
session was half over"