The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-08-08
ONE OF TOM CORWIN'S FRANKS.
How He Rid His Sister Of the Atten-
tons OF an Obnoxious Suitor.


Among the many interesting things
that were printed in the Louisville
Journal of Monday, July II, 1865,
is the following amusing story, in which
the famous Tom Corwin figured.
Every one has heard of the eloquent,
pathetic and humorous stump orator Of
Ohio. He was pronounced by Henry
Clay-a most competent authority
to be the finest stump speaker he had
ever heard. He carried his love of fun
into every department of life. In the
private circle, where he knew every
person and where he unbosomed him
self fully, he was a most delightful con-
versationalist.
81 do not know" says writer in the
old Louisville Journal of the date
above referred to, "that he now, as age
and inhrmities are creeping on, in
dulges in the humorous proclivities so
much as he used to do, but some
twenty years ago he used to tell with
great gusto the following story:
"Tn early life-so early that | can
not remember the removal-my father
pulled up stakes and, carrying with him
the household goods, went from Bour-
bon county, KY, where | was born, to
Ohio. Notwithstanding a rough-and-
tumble struggle with the world, | had a
hard time to get on, owing to numer'
Gus and rapidly increasing family. Well,
family matters had not much improved
when | reached my thirteenth or four
teenth year.
"'At this time there lived in the
neighborhood a young man named
Pickering. He had inherited we'll
stocked farm, was good-looking and
made strong profession of religion.
This latter qualification caused him to
find peculiar favor in the eyes of my
father who alwas was blinded by pro-
LESSONS of extra piety.
"'This fellow had a strong banker.
ing after one of my sisters, who was a
very pretty girl. To her he was pc
cullarly distasteful She seemed
always annoyed at his presence. Yet
he was ever at her side. She dared
not dismiss him entirely, for fear of the
paternal anger. Things went on thi:
way for year or two, and as partool
largely of my sisters hatred of him,
resolved to get rid of him in some way
l cast about some time for plan, bu
nothing gave me the slightest hope o
being successful
"'At last, returning home late ont
summer night from the mill, | founc
the family at their nightly devotions
Passing by the windows OF the rooms
in which they were assembled, ] saw
that Pickering was there, and prett.
soon discovered that he was nodding
and finally his head dropped. Nov
was my opportunity. l stole slyly into
the hall, and, reaching the hall door
which was slightly ajar and close b.
which Pickering was 'on Bonded knee,
| reached in and quickly pulling hi
chair from under him, he rolled heavily
as a sound sleeper would, upon the floor
The noise alarmed all. The old gentle
man stopped in the midst of his almos
interminable prayer and saw the position
of Pickering. All the family LAUGHED
outright; even my mother smiled.
"Pickerlng endeavored to pick hin
self up as rapidly as possible, but h
had touched the old man upon hi
tender point. 1t was evident, from hi
rubbing his eyes that he had sleE
under the old gentleman's minstra
tions and had not my father a reputa
ton far and wide for the strength AM
fervence of his ministradons, and wa
not Pickering his protesting brother
Slowly, yet most dignihsdly, did tn
old gentleman approach him. "B'
gone, hypocrite !" he cried in thunder
ing tones. "Never entr my hous
again." .,
Pickering was thunde struck h
felt that he could make no apolog
which would not add to th insult. II
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