Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-01
ONE OF YOUNG TOM CoRw1N,s FRANKS
How He Rid His Sister OF the Attentions Of
an Obnoxious Suitor.

How He Rid His Sister Of the Attentions Of
an Obnoxious Sutton.
From the Courier-Journal
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 De 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 un-
bosomed himself fully. he was a most delight
full conversationalist
II do not know" says q writer in the old
Louisville Journal Of the date above referred
to, that he now. as age and infirmities are
creeping on, INDUCES in the humorous proclivi-
ties so much as he used to do, but some twenty
years ago he used to tell with great gusto the
following story:
"'In early life-so early that cannot remem-
Der the removal-my father pulled up stakes
and, carrying with him the household goods,
went from Bourbon county, Ky, where L was
born, to Ohio. Notwithstanding a rough and
tumble struggle with the world, had a hard
time to get on, owing to a numerous and rap
idly increasing family. Well. family matters
had not much improved when / reached nv
thirteenth or fourteenth year.
SAT this time there lived in the neighbor-
hood q young man named Pickering He had
inherited a well-stocked farm was good look
ing, and made strong profession Of religion
This latter qualification caused him to find De-
culiar favor in the eyes Of my father, who al
ways was blinded by professions of extra piesy
This fellow had strong hankering after
one of my sisters who was a very pretty girl
To her he was peculiarly distasteful She
oA al uov Of hia W. L.
was ever at her side. She dared not dismiss
him entirely, for fear of the paternal anger
Things went on this way for year or two. and
as partook largely Of my sisters hatred of him
1 resolved to get rid OF him in some way
cast about some time for a plan, but nothing
gave me the slightest hope Of being successful.
"'At last, returning home late one summer
night from the mill, found the family at their
nightly devotions. Passing by the windows Of
the rooms in which they were assembled. 1 saw
that Pickering was there, and pretty soon dis
covered that he was nodding, and finally his
head dropped. Now was my opportunity.
stole slylv into the hall, and reaching the hall
door, which was slightly ajar and close by
which Pickering was ION Bonded knee"
reached in and quickly pulling his chair from
under him, he rolled heavily, as a sound sleeper
would, upon the floor. The noise alarmed all.
The old gentleman stopped in the midst Of his
almost interminable prayer and saw the position
of Pickering. All the family laughed outright;
even my mother smiled
Pickering endeavored to pick himself up as
rapidly as possible, but he had touched the old
man upon his tender point. 1t was evident.
from his rubbing his eyes, that he had slept I'M
der the old gentleman's ministrations; and had
not my father reputation far and wide for the
strength and fervency of his mnistrations, and
was not Pickering his protesting brother?
Slowly, yet most diguihedly. did the old gentle
man approach him. "Begone. hypocrite,'' he
cried in laundering tones. Never enter my
house again"
Pickering was thunderstruck. He felt that
he could make no apology which would not
add to the insult. He had no suspicion of
the extra force which had aided him in
his fall He at once found his hat, took
up his line of march, and, completely crest
fallen, passed by me as stood in the shadow of
the porch.
seat a suitable time entered and got nv sup
per.was told by my brother in hurried whispers
what had happened and then / stole off to bed
affecting ignorance and laughing most heartily,
as ensconced myself between the sheets,
at the complete success Of nv plan
Next day L cautiously impaired nv secret
to my sister. She was in her own room at
the time and threw herself upon the bed and
rolled in agonieS and commissions Of laughter,
She had been emancipated forever from an
obnoxious lover. The old gentleman did not
hear tine real state of the facts for fully twenty
years, but when he did he laughed heartily"