Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-19
MR.. BRYAN IS CONFIDENT.
He Told Dispatch Man He Expects
Go Win.

Mr.. Bryan in personal conversation Is
even more magnetic than when or ,he
hustings. and is almost as eloquent. GER
tainy when discussing the issues OF the
day. He is a fluent talker. and conver-
sation with him never lags. though he
doesn't deal In sophstries to carry on the
conversation. A Dispatch man. who
went over to Petersburg to meet the NOM
inee, came back with him in his pri-
vate car, and had a long conversation
with him.
Mr.. Bryan said 1t was against his rule,
established Immediately after he received
the nomination, to discuss prospects, but
he stated in subsequent conversation
that he expected to carry the Union by
safe majority. He realizes fully that,
while there is a strong sentiment in favor
of free silver, there is also a strong sem
timent against It in almost every State
of the Union, and said 1t was absolutely
essential for the free-sIlver Democrats
TO stand shoulder to shoulder In order
to achieve a victory in November.
The nominee was approached by seve-
raj gentlemen on the train between Pc
tersburg and Richmond and asked for his
predictions on the result of the cam
paign in the various States. but ne de-
clined each time to give any figures
laughlngly remarking on one occasion
that he preferred to deal in facts rather
than figures.
In talking with the Dispatch man Mr..
Bryan said that he had several times
been misquoted by newspaper and
he had adopted a rule to give out nothing
for publication, except it be over his own
signature.
INCIDENTS OF THE DAY.
While en- route to Richmond Mr. Bryan
was introduced to a gentleman who was
avowedy a gold-bug, and the gentleman,
in acknowledging the introduction. said:
II wanted Mr.. Bryan. simply to. see how
you looked" The nominee retorted with
great promptness. and i'm a happy man.
ner: Don't you vote on my looks. l am
a great deal better man than l look to
be-"
While waiting I'm Petersburg for his
train to pull out Mr.. Bryan espied
negro i'm the crowd around his car
Raising his window he called out: Come
here, Cuffee." The negro came, and the
nominee asked: Are you for free silyeT?'
'tef. san, eems~the prompt reply.
"Weil, shake" said MIR. Bryan, and he
gave the darky's hand a hearty grasp
while the ebon face became wreathed with
smiles.
Some one in Petersburg threw a hand
some bouquet in Mr.. Bryan's carriage, as
IL wended its way to the lower depot, and
the nominee had 1t placed in water
as soon as he reached his car.
When Mr. c. Z. Jones, of Manchester,
was introduced to Mr.. Bryan, ne told
him that he had named little son after
him. To this the nominee replied that he
was more than gratified at the compli-
ment.
Mr.. Bryan while In Petersburg fire.
quently mopped his face with a red baln-
danna- On the train at Petersburg DR..
John Brodnax, Coroner of Manchester.
asked him to swap handkerchiefs, and the
nominee very promptly complied. DIR.
Brodnax says $40. even If paid in free
silver, could not now purchase that BAN
danna.
While the cannon-ball train was speed
ing along towards this city Mr.. Bryan
lay down for short rest. He remained
so quiet that some one near by thought
he was sick. and a cry was raised. DIR.
Parker rushed to the candidates side,
but before he could touch him Mr.. Bryan
was on his feet, and wanted to know
what was the matter