The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-05-17
STORY OF A STATESMAN.

He was a dashing young Congress-
man, who came to Washington on the
tidal wave from one Of the districts
in the South. But he had not been at
the Capital more than six months be-
fore those who had known him at
home and came here on business
scarcely recognized him as the same
man. A great change had come over
Algernone Smith Brownlee, M. G. At
home he had never amounted to much,
socially. He came Of very poor pa
rents-"white trash" the colored ver-
Cict said-though his relations had
never been indicted by the grand jury.
Mr.. Brownee's pedigree, however, be-
gan with Mr.. Brownlee, and what he
lacked in aristocracy of blood he made
up by his prodigious hustling abilities.
With his keen energy and upward ten
dency of mind he had the good for
tune to combine an affable disposition,
an accommodating manner, a pleasant
smile and certain good address.
When he entered the race for Con-
gress, none imagined for a minute
that he had the slightest prospect OF
success; but the average political wea-
ther prophet has dangerous tendency
to pin his faith to the infallibility. OF
his own opinions and standing pat
upon them; and that is why it hap
pens so often that young men like Mr..
Brownlee beat out an old race horse
and go to Congress ON a tidal wave.
Unlike the ravens who croaked his
doom, Mr.. Brownlee did some char
acteristic hustling, snatched the nom
in from TRAD old ramnaiQnpr
and was elected.
When he reached Washington he
wore the conventional soft black hat
and long black skirt coat, Southern
idea of Prince Albert; but before he
had been here six months he looked
like a copy of the latest edition OF one
of Jim Bells Broadway swells, with
a silk hat, black cutaway coat and
gray trousers. And that's why his
constituents scarcely recognized him.
It's strange how these things hap
pen in Washington. The rich and
thoroughbred Miss Daisy Vernon,
who had smiled with icy scorn upon
the suits of dozen society men cast
ing themselves at her feet, together
with their fortunes and pedigrees, felt
her heart dissolve beneath the in
c. There may have been something
in that NJ c., a mistaken idea, per-
chance, that a man who is sent to
Congress must be the cock Of the walk
in his district-an idea that some per-
sons have-and that, altogether, the
suit of member OF the Hodse, who
combined as many attractive qualities
as her Brownlee, was preferable to that
of any other mortal.
And so, to cut things short, after
dashing courtship, they were mar
ried at one Of the fashionable
churches, with a great display Of
pomp, the attendance Of her distin-
guished relatives, and his Congress
sional friends members Of the press,
etc. Then, after brilliant reception,
they departed on their bridal trip, but
not TO Brownlee's home. On the con-
trary, he purchased tickets over arail-
road that took him in a Numerically
opposite direction, just as far from his
district as he could go.
The trip came to an end and then
Brownlee and his wife returned to
Washington, Hinstalling themselves at
one of the leading hotels. Brownlee
had seen enough of the world to dis
N"'~' N-4N SNNi ct VI iihhlhS al imp co-
sion in society. With the aid of his
wife's social standing and his IS, 900
income. the way was open to him, and
he made the best of his chances. He
was received everywhere with open
arms, and II one man ever hit it rich
1t was that same energetic young men,
ber Of Congress
On the whole. Brownlee deserved IL.
Fla had n influential fri dc 10 An l.
fer ais rise in the world; no family
influence had stood back of him to
direct his efforts; no money had been
used to buy him seat in Congress.
He had just invested what mother wit
nature had endowed him with, and
when fortune, in her timid way, had
knocked at his door as she Is said to
Go at every mans door once in a life
time, he had said, Come inw in his
loudest tones
And he was honest and sincere. Hs
had not deceived Miss Vernon about
his pedigree She had taken him for
better CT worse, and the fault was
hers If she should feel disappointed.
Brownlee was a good working member
CT Congress. He made friends rapidly
vita the leaders, and watched that
they never lost sight of him a single
cay. al this young man wanted was
caportunity. He would rise to the
ccc2sion, for that he vouched.
The SESSION came to an end. The
election was near at hand, and every
member hastened home TO look after
MS fences II was the hardest strug-
cle CT his life to decide upon a course
OK cetion with regard to his aristo.,
at.o wife. Take her home? Leave
h1r here? He suggested the latter
courso.
u have been thinking a great deal
c't H. remarked Mrs. Brownlee.
j think | shall accompany you. You