The Waco evening news. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 1891-1894, 1894-02-07

| thought that was witty I remem.
Der, and what was nv surprise in
alter years to learn that that same
bit OF repartee figures in we'll
known novel and is represented as
being said by lawyer to Judge in
connection with Latin proverb.
Now, that shows, it seems to me,
that when we hear practically the
same anecdote related about differ
ent persons. we should not hastily
conclude that the stories are cut out
of whole cloth. Perhaps they came
about by the accident of repetition.
However, I think the crediting of
the retort cited by Mr.. Bayard is
Inaccurate as relating to my father.
never heard that he ever made
such remark"
Another good story of MIR.
Cleveland's, and which was told in
the presence Of Daniel S. Lamont,
had reference to the presidents
early political life.
ga curious thing about political
oratory and wit is the sidelight
got upon one aspect of it years ago
in Buffalo Thus Mr.. Cleveland
is quoted by listener: cone
morning a quaint.looking old chap
came into my Office and said that he
had read in the newspapers that |
was to speak al mass meeting the
following night, and wanted to
know if it was true When l told
him that it was so, he revealed to
me new method of gaining orator
ical distinction. He volunteered to
interrupt my speech at stated inter
walls with remark that should be
agreed upon between US. To this
interruption was to retort wittlly,
and thus, as the old fellow pointed
out, ! would acquire a reputation as
a witty speaker My fist impres-
sion was that he was amusing
himself at my expense, bur
he repeated to me several
things | could reply to wittily
and wanted me to pay him roundly
for helping me to a reputation,
But / told him that was Indifferent
TO that kind Of fame, and he went
away disappointed. Not very long
after that / was seated on stage
listening to speaker when who
should rise ia the audience but my
qusiut visitor and bawl out one OF
the very things he wanted me TO pay
him for interruptibg me with. The
orator answered him with the same
retort that | was offered the privil
eye of making, and the audience
exploded into laughter, and ! heart
lily Joined in, but my amusement
had not the same foundation,
fancy, as that Of the rest of the
laughers, And during the rest OF
the evening the old fellow made al
occasional interruption from differ
ent parts of the house and the re
torts were of the same manufactures
sort. i am trifle skepticaI on thf
subject Of witty retorts.
Mr.. Cleveland does not tell his
stories in hilarious fashion. liz
speaks calmly and slowly, in
sober, contemplative way that add
much to the effect of the occasiona
, stories he tells. Nor does his nara
tives spring sporadicalIy that is, hi
never tells story that does not rls'
out of the conversation and form IL
. measure part Of the discussion
4 And, unlike Lincoln, he neve
replies to argument or pleasantr!
by telling story. His tales arr
1 told az part of social chat.
1t has escaped observation, seem
ipelv. that Mr.. Cleveland reaa
4 with deep interest the lives, as thel
8 best bographers have narrate'
Il them, of the long line Of men wh'
have preceded him in the exalted
d Office he now holds. Occaslonali.
n he saws something which reveals nj
r estimate of the presidency of tn
@ United States.
uOpe of the most impressive
things he remarked az recently a