The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-02
A PRESIDENT MAKER.
Adolph Fricticrichs!

Adolph Fricdcrichs!
A most fascinating man-briliant,
dashing, sparkling, optimistic, inlpul.
slve and gcnerous-a natural leader of
men. Hc had all tho qualities that win
mons admiration. He had follics-and,
almost said, viccs--tht could only be
condoned by ovcrshadowin. them with
his multiplied virtues BY birth a Ger
man; by naturalization an American;
by profession Il journalist. If you would
know more Of him, he was Il short,
stocly man about 40 years of age, with
a smoothly shavcn. round face, and a
leonine head like Millocker. the COM
poser. He married IL sweet faced, mild
tempered, little woihal, who idolized
him and whom he loved with all the
warmth of an impulsivo and affcctionate
nature
His income was sufficient for the
needs of an economical man, but Fried
erlchs was not economical; he did not
premedltato extravaganza, but was one
OF those unfortunates whose tastes were
patrician and whose means were pie
beian. He knew little or nothing of the
value of money; bill Or a coin was to
$1,000 $40 - AStit oiAb llC lIl0 OWIlcT OI
bounded forests. - He gambled some
times often. When he won, he felt
no pleasure other than what came
through the purchase of some luxury for
the little wife at home. When he lost, he
was depressed-not for tho loss of the
money but because the little wife would
suffer some deprivation. Then his exu-
berant disposition would assert itself.
and he would cheerfully borrow such
sums as he needed from the first friend
who would lend. Many such obligations
were never repaid. His inability to meet
them within reasonable length of time
caused him much temporary annoyance;
then he neglected them and eventually
forgot them.
Anomalous as it may seem, his sense
OF honor was high and strong. Had he
been accused of being truant to any
debt of honor he would have resented it
to any extremity. His weakness was his
optimism. Itnatterod not how dark and
oheerless the present, tho future was
roseate, the past was dead.
The morning Of that rosy future never
dawned.
Friederichs sat III room in Chicago
hotel with two senators of the United
States. The city was filled with people
gathered for q special occasion. Men
were rushing about, pausing for hasty
handshakes or whispered consultation,
secret conferences were being held be-
hind locked doors, and everything DOR
tended that an event of Importance and
magnitude was about to take place.
Without q swelling cheer is heard, min
gled with the notes of patriotic air
played by brass band. Presently the
band wheels into sight from across the
street and marches down one of the
great thoroughfares. Following comes
an army of men with flags and banners.
The conspicuous attire ia long linen
coats and tall white hats. On their
coats are badges of ribbon denoting the
organization to which they belong.
They carry no more formidable weapons
than light walking sticks and sun UNI
brellas. They are greeted with cheers
from the surging, struggling mass that
lines the sidewalks, and an answering
cheer goes up from the ulstered, high
halted line. Occasionally some unduly
excited individual utters yell.
AS the procession passes out of sight
a similar one crosses on side street,
and the crowd shifts and struggles into
position to obtain view of the latter.
Thus the day is spent, thus the evening
and far into the night. 1t is o scene
with which Americans are familiar
They know the meaning of this assem-
bling of hosts, this gathering of CLANS
On the morrow national convention of
q great political party is to be held to
select candidate for president of these
United States.
Senator, cannot do it, said Fried