Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-04-20
A STATESMAN.

the tidal wave from one OF the dis
tricts in the south. But he had not
been at the capitol more than six
months before those who had known
him at home and came here on bust
ness, scarcely recoknTzed him as the
same man. A great change had come
over Algernone Smith Brownlee, NJ. c.
AT home he had never amounted to
much socially He came OF very poor
parents white trash" the colored YER
diet said-though his relations had new
er been indicted by the grand jury.
Mr.. Brownlee's pedigree, however be
gan with Mr.. Brownlee, and what he
lacked in pedigree he made up by his
prodigious hustling abilities.
With his keen energy and hustling
tendency of mind, he had had the good
fortune TO combine an affable disposl-
tion. an accommodating manner, a
pleasant smile and a certain good adj
dress. When he entered the race for
congress none imagined for 4 minute
that he had the slightest prospect of
success. but the average political
weather prophet has very dangerous
tendency to pin his faith TO the infalli-
bility OF his own opinions and stand
pat upon them; and that is why 1t
happens so often that young men like
Mr. Brownlee beat out an old race
horse and got to congress on tidal
wave. Unlike the ravens who croaked
his doom. Brownlee did some charac-
teristic hustling, snatched the nomina-
ton from a tried old campaigner and
was elected.
When he reached Washington he
wore the conventional soft black felt
hat and long black skirt coat-a south
ern idea of a Prince Albert But be-
fore he had been here six months he
looked like a copy of the latest edi-
tion of one of Jim Bells Broadway
swells, with a silk hat, black cutaway
coat and gray trousers. And that's
why his constituents scarcely recog
nlzed him.
1t is 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 a dozen society people casting
themselves at her feet. together with
the fortunes and pedigrees, felt her
heart dissolve beneath the insidious
attention of Mr. Brownlee. NJ. c.
There may have 6een something in
that NJ c.. a mistaken idea. perhaps.
that a man who is sent to congress
must be the cock of the walk in the
district-an idea that some persons
havC-and that altogether. the suit OF
a member of the house who combined
as many attractive qualities as her
BrOwnlee was preferable to that OF
any other mortal
And So to cut thir- gs short. after
dashing cOurtShip they ere married
at one of the fashionable churches.
with great display of pomp. the at
tendance Of her distinguished relatives
and his congressional friends. mem
hers of the press. etc. Then after a
brilliant reception, they departed on
their bridal trip. but not to Brownies
home On the contrary he purchased
tickets over a railroad that took him
in n Giameuically opposite direction.
just as far from the district as he
could 90
On the whole Brownlee deserved
success. He had no influential friends
to thank for his rise in the world: no
family influence had stood back Of
him to direct his efforts: no money had
been used to buy seat in congress
had Just invested that wit mother ma
ture had endowed him with. in such
opportunities as came to hand. and
when fortune in her timid way. had
knocked at his door. as she is said
to do at every mans door once in a
lifetime. he had said "Come inp' In
his loudest tones.
The session came to an end. The
election was near at hand, and every
member FASTENED home to look after
his fences 1t was the hardest strug-
gle OF his life to decide upon a course
OF action with regard to his aristocrat-
ic wife? Take her home? Leave her
here? He suggested the latter course.
Il have been thinking a good deal
about IT," remarked Mrs. Brownlee.
81 think 1 shall accompany you. You
know, dear, | have never seen your
papa and mama. l have formed my
own ideas Of then, and am real anx-
iOus to see them. They must be just
charming people to have son like my
Ally"
well, I'm not ashamed Of 'em any
how" he replied in desperation.
They packed their things and left
town the next ey ening.
II Mrs HrOwnlee in her buOyant
trustfulness. anticipated scenes Of
greeting in which Mingled the pictur-
csque effects Of a summer residence on
the banks of Lake Cono. as described
by Claude Mclnotte. with the other de-
tails Of romantic stage Illusions wn.ch
beguile the senses Of a girl who has
seen only the fashionable side OF life,
her anticipatioDs were somewhat damp
ened when they stepped off the train
In the dark and found themselves on
a platform where some rough looking
men were lounging about under the
sRM lRIp JOoI 5uuosroId 10 GdouB0
sheltering them from a dreary rain
fall
Dog my oats, Billp' called out one,
''if this amt Smith Brownlee. Hello,
Smith; got back, have yo'?" slapDing
him on the back. My. but yo' look
putty Come ere. Jim. look at i'm.
Would We know i'm IF yo' met i'm on
a dark road? Say. Smith, yo' must