The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-02-26

A Cruel Practical Joke which Some
OF his Colleagues Played on the
MEMBER from n Third South Car
DINA District.
WASHINGTON, February IA good
joke on Congressman Latimer has lust
come to light. For some days past this
gentleman has been attending to his
Congressional duties, wearing a long
forlorn countenance as il his last friend
In the world had left him. This is
made o prominent by the contrast
OF an exceedingly joyful countenance
which he exhibited but a short time
ago. Though MI. Latimer has been
asked probably ten times a day the
cause OF his troubled look he has never
yet given a satisfactory answer, but
rather bestows IA clerical smile and
changes b subject. The real cause,
however,, has transpired and is said
can be attributed to a clairyoyant and
a number of friends of Mr.. Latimer,
who desired to have some fun at his
expense.
IL appears that for a long time the
wonderful power Of a prominent Wash
ington ~clairvoyant was being continu-
ally brought to Mr.. Latimer's atten.
tlon. He talked to some friends about
her, and received in solemn looks and
tones the highest recommendations.
they all knew people hat had inter-
viewed her, and said ehe told them
wonderful things that had turned ont
as she had said. The desire to know
something of his future persuaded Mr..
Latlmer until he at last gave in and
visited the clairvoyant.
NOW In some way hat was not re-
vealed h history of tho Congressman
and a few incidents Of his life were told
TO The clalrvoyant previous to his visit,
and, OF course, when he came she was
perfectly prepared. She told him his
occupation, age, the district he was
from and numerous happenings OF his
life. He was naturally astounded and
would, OF course, believe ANYTHING she
said OF his future. Your future"
said she, twill be a brilliant one. You
are not politician, but a statesman.
You will not come back to Congress- ne
q Representative, but as a Senator,
The senior Senator from your State is
In very poor health anu will live but
six mouths. When he dies the re will
have to be q successor and it il willed
Ghat you are to succeed him in the
Senate" ~
1t is understood that Mr.. L,atimer
was so overcome that he paid double
for the information. He knew that
Senator lrby had not beer feeling we'll
ior some time, but nc didn't know that
he was in such dangerous health. He
felt sorry that the Senator was poin,
to leave us, but the clairvoyant told
4 him nothing in the world would ston
II. AS Tor himself he was delighted.
He was for some time the %jolliest fel.
low one would are to meet. He was
always wishing his friends a long life
and successful future, and in fact some
OF his acquaintances who were not in
| Inc 1nKp thnlDht thnf H, 49,. -.
struck a gold mine and wishing they
were in his place. The schcmers said
never a wore His happiness was, &C.
cordlng to the old saying, "too good
to last" With but the throw OF a stone
the glass house was shattered.
a group Of congressman, among
whom were Representatives Izlar and
Latlmer, were clustered together one
evening telling yarns, ard one thing
LED to another. when Representative
lZlar held the attention of all by a mar
Latimer, it is said, was very attentive.
v! called on a ~clairvoyant the other
day." began Mr.. Izlar, "and [ ain in
ciined to believe some of the things
she SAID. According to her statements
am not a politician, but a statesman.
she said that the senior Senator from
south Carolina "a going TO die in six
months time, and | was to succeed
him, but not directly, for another Rep
resentativo would succeed him first,
but that he would die thrce weeks
after his installation, and [ would be
elected to fill out the remainder of the
term and also for the long term"
II crowd laughed. and the schemers
turned their eyes on MIR. Latimcr. He
bad turned pale and was seemingly
very nervous. IL was not long before
ne 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
SO hard that it was thought best to
worry him a little longer. Up TO the
time OF this writing he has not found
out that he is the victim Of a huge joke.