The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-02-20
Laughing at A. C. Lstimer.

WASHINGTON, Feb. IA good joke
on Congressman Latimer has just come
to light For some days past this gentle
man has been attending to his Congress
sional duties, wearing long forlorn
countcnance as if his last friend in the
world had left him. This is made more
prominent by the contrast of al exceed
inrly joyful countenance which he ex-
hbited but short time ago. Though
Mr.. I.atimer has been asked probably
ton times day the cause OF his troubled
look he has never yet given satisfactory
answer, but rather bestows q clerical
smile and changes the subject. The real
cause, however, has transpired and is
said can be attributed to clairvoyant
and number Of friends of Mr.. Latimer
who desired to have some fun at his ex-
pense.
It appears that for long time the Won
derful power of prominent Washing
ton clairvoyapt was being continually
brought to Mr.. Latimers attention. lie
talked to some friends about her, and
received in solemn looks aud tones the
highest recommendations. They all
knew people that had interviewed her,
and said she told them wonderful things
that had turned out as she had said. The
desire to know something of his future
persuaded Mr.. Latimer until he at last
gave in and visited the clairvoyant.
Now in some way that was not revealed
the history of the Congressman and few
incidents of his life were told to the clair
voyant previous to his visit, and, OF
course, when he came she was perfectly
prepared. She told him his occupation,
age, the district he wss from and numer-
GUS happenings Of his life. lie was natu-
rally astounded and would, Of course,
believe anything she said of his future.
"Your future" said she, "will be bril-
liant one. You are not a politician, but
statesman. You will not come back to
Congress as Representative, but as
Senator. The senior Senator from your
State is in very poor health aud will live
but six months. When he dies there
will have to be successor and 1t is Wliled
that you are to succeed him in the Sem
ate."
1t is understood that Mr.. Latimer was
so overcome that he paid double for the
information. He knew that Senator 1rby
had not been feeling we'll for some time,
but he didn't know that he was In such
dangerous health. He felt sorry that the
Senator was going to leave us, but the
clairvoyant told him nothing in the world
would stop it. As for himself be was de-
lighted. He was for some time the jol-
| liest fellow one would care to meet. He
was always wishing his friends long
life and successful future, and in fact
some Of his acquaintances, who were not
in the joke, thought that be must have
struck a gold mine and wishing they
were In his place. The schemers said
never word His happiness was, ac-
oording to the old saying, "too good to
last" With but the throw Of stone the
glass house was shattered.
A group of congressman, ann ong whom
were Representatives Izlar and Latimer,
were clustered together one evening tell.
| ing yarns, aud one thing led to another,
when Representative Izlar held the atten-
ton of all by narrative of his visit to a
clairvoyant. Mr.. Latimer, it is said, was
very attentive.
"I called on clairvoyant the other
day." began Mr.. Izlar, "and am incin-
ed to believe some of the things she said.
According to her statements am not
| politician, but statesman. She said that
| the senior Senator. from South Carolina
was going to die in six months time,
and that was to succeed him: but not
directly, for another Representative
would succeed him first, but that he
would die three weeks after his installa-
ton, and would be elected to fill the
remainder of the term and also for the
! long term"
The crowd laughed, and the schem ers
| turned their eyes on Mr.. Latimer. He
had turned pale and was seemingly very
nervous. It was not long before he left
| the crowd and went home. Since then
he has been completely broken up. 1t
was the intention of the jokers to reveal
the whole thing and turn the laugh on
him, but he took it 30 hard that 1t was
thought best to worry him'a little longer.
Up to the time of this writing he has not
found out that he is victim of huge
| joke.-iSDecidL to Ne,0S and Courier.