The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-26
THE FUN OF FAME.
Senators Vest, Of Missouri and Berry.
Of Arkansas, Tell 1t.

Washington Letter Pittsburg News
Senators Berry. Of Arkansas, and
Vest. of Missouri. were seated on a Sem
ate lounge the other day swapping"
stories. and during the course of their
"reminiscences several incidents which
have happened them during political
campaigns were related. Mr.. Vest
amused his colleague with story of
which he was the principal when the
Missouri Senator was candidate for
Office In his native state.
1T was 30 years ago. perhaps, when l
was fighting for municipal Office In
Western Missouri, that trifiing Oc-
cur, ice imbued in me an antipathy to-
wards what some people are pleased to
call fame" said Mr. Vest. During
the course of my campaign I was book
ed to deliver number of speeches In
my county. For one speech in particu-
| lar. to be delivered In town of no
small size, had made great prepara-
ton and was confident that | could
4hold my own. Before entered the hall
| where ] was to talk. | had allowed my
| self to believe that | was-fairly we'll
known among the people. but subse-
| quent event soon dispelled that idea
from my mind. At the appointed hour
| other candidates and politicians and
| took seat. Two or three speakers pre-
ceded me. but being the star of the
evening grandilOquent introduction
| was or course necessary to present me
| in proper shape to the audience, A
| local politician took upon himself the
| task OF introducing me to the large
| gathering Of Democrats and the man
ner In which he began fiattered me,
but his conclusion robbed me of every
vestige OF self-cOmpOsure and / col
| lapsed. Fellow Democrats he began
| In stentorian tones and with grand
sweep or the arms. the speaker which
| l am about to present to you needs no
| introduction here. His sterling quail
| tiles and unimpeachable character as
a Jeffersonian Democrat have COM
! mended him to every one in the state.
| We all know and respect him His
| principles are the very bulwarks of
| honesty and intelligence. stanchions of
| truth uDon which we advise all Young
! men to lean for support Gentlemen |
| take unlimited pleasure in introducing
| 10 you Honorable -, aEd then he
leaned over in my direction and asked
In tone Just loud enough for those in
| the first few rows to hear: What did
| you say your name wasc'"
When the laugh had subsided Mr..
Berry. apropos of the manner in which
Mr.. Vest had been treated, told this
story:
During the last session of congress a
| delegation OF my people passed through
| the city on an excursion tour, and whii 3,
here took in the capitol. was seated
In the senate chamber one morning
when my colleague approached ME ana
| said that there We're some folks from
| down home out IN the Marble room,
and they had asked to see us OF course.
l was willing to receive them and to-
gether we repaired To the reception
room and welcomed them. Among the
party was preacher and his wife.
country people living about eight miles
from my town, q very intelligent and
congenal couple. They presented
themselves individually and we chat
ted for half an hour. Finally they pre-
pared to leave and we directed them 10
| the door.
After extending them q farewell
shake OF the hand. | started to return
to the senate feeling in the happiest of
moods, when l was interrupted by a
call from the worthy preachers wife
with whcm I had been talking. oh
senator said she. there was question
wanted to ask you before left and
then somewhat timidly. What state
did you say you were FROM"