The Washington times. (Washington, D.C.) 1894-1895, 1894-09-23
TOM BINLEY'S LAUGH.
How 1t Deceived One Of His Oldest
Friends.
Gen. Fanshawe, Of Buffalo, Relates an
Amusing Experience in Wash.
ington Society.

Gen. s. S. Fanshawe, Of Buffalo, who Id
stopping at the Ebbitt, and incidentally re-
neW1ng old acquaintanees in this city, tells Of
an amusing experience that happened TO him
at the wedding reception of Mr.. and Mrs.
George N Catherington, on Massachusetts,
avenue, the other evening.
The general came all the way from Buffalo
TO attend the reception, and in the course Of
the evening he observed among the many
gentlemen present face that seemed strik-
ingly familiar to him. II was that OF tail,
Well-proport1oned man, apparently middle
aged, but WITH a remarkably fresh and youth
full complexion, who seemed 10 be in the most
exuberant spirits, and kept everybody about
him laughing.
II was certain that knew the mar" said
Gen. Fanshawe, when telling the story TO
group Of friends yesterday but to save ms
l couldn't place him. The circumstance so
annoyed me that 1 awaited my opportunity
and spoke to him. Laying my hand on MS
arm, L said: 1 beg pardon, sir, but your face
is very familiar. Surely we are not strang-
ers.' The words were not our OF my mouth
before he had turned and grasped my hand
and was crying out. Why. general, I'm sw-
fully glad 10 see you 1 heard YOU were here,
How are you, and how did you leave the
folks in BufTaIo2' Well sir. the light that
broke in on me az that moment fairly made
me dizzy Great, Scotti' 1 gasped. YOU don't
He laughed and said my words were ex-
tremely uncomplimentary, coming from a
friend of twenty years standing.
at was true. | had known Tom BinleY
intimately for twenty years, and the Joke OF
il was that we hadn't been separated but a
little over two months. think it was about
that long ago that l said gOod-by 70 him at
the railroad station in Buffalo, when he
started for Washington.
But really" added the general, when the
laugh had subsidized, II never saw such a
change in Il man in my life. You see, Tom
was terribly broken down IN health. He was
one Of the most enthusiastic political workers
in the State, and the excitement and over
exertion which he endured In few hot cam
paigDs Just seemed 10 shatter his constitution
completely. He has been going down Mill
for several years. At first he didn't think
much Of il, but after awhile. when he kept
getting " orse and losing flesh right along, he
sought medical advice. One doctor told him
he had cancer OF the stomach. another said
he was being devOured by tape worms. and
another told him he was going in.o consump-
tion. Not one Of them did him any good.
He went to the hot Springs Of Arkansas for
awhile and afterWard tried an ocean voyage
visited the German spas, and knocked about
till his money was all gone, then returned
home TO die. He used to tell me that he had
no appetite, and that nothing
he ate would remain on his stom-
ach: that he was miserable and
wretched and full Of pains and aches; that
what little sleep ne was able 70 get seemed 70
weaken rather than refresh him, and that ne
felt so weary and wornOut that he wanted to
lie down and die. The doctors all gave him
up. and that is why he came TO Washington
10 die among his relatives, who all live here.
Why. hadn't heard Tom laugh. and had
scarcely seen him smile for more than year
He was gloomy and downcast, and wouldn't
go into society az oil. So you see it is
scarcely to be wondered at that didn't know
him when / saw him At the party. laughing
and chatting. his form erect, his cheeks filed
out, his eyes sparkling. very picture OF
health and animal spirits. And he tells ne
that this change was brought about by one Of
your Washington doctors
1T must have been DIR. Walker, them"
suggested the reporter.
That's the name said the general, pro-
ducing card from his pOeket-book- DIR. r.
A. Walker, specialist in the treatment OF dis
orders of the brain and nervous system Tom
gave me his card and told me 70 consult him
about my wife's health. He must be re-
markedly skillfuI physician"
Il never heard of his equal in the medical
profession. spoke up the Hon. Jason Bar
nard VINO had joined the group. Il happen
10 know Of several such instances as that OF
your friend Binley.''
$50 DO 1" said another Of the party.
Il see by this card. said Gen Fanshaws
that his Office is at AL Pennsylvania av-
enue. and that his Office hours are from 1Oa
m. to p. n I think will call and sea
him"
And he did.