The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-24

| portunity OF jumping 10 MS desk upon
the slightest provocation. Late in the
afternoon he and Mr.. Stephens were at
their desk. and talking to them was a
| very large gentleman with the biggest
/ feet / ever saw on a man. OF course
| such a thing as that never escapes a
boy. and all the pages were observing
| those feet. Finally. a member sitting
directly behind Mr.. Toombs clapped
| for a page. / Immediately made for
him, and in passing this ponderous
man with the big feet. stumbled over
him. l suppose / must have hurt his
bunious terribly. for he gave me an
awful nudge in the ribs with his elbow.
which nearly knocked me down, and
said:
You careless little rascali Can't
you see where you are going?
Mr.. Toombs laughed heartily, but
was in anything but good humor over
the incident. i completed my errand
for the member who had called, and
then took my seat below the speakers
desk A few minutes later the large
man with the big feet, whom, as 1
afterwards learned, was General Win
field Scott, left the house, and Mr..
Toombs called me. He was in excellent
humor and said:
"'Son, there's another man over there
with big feet. and If you will go and
fall over them / will give you half a
dollar
81 thought he was making sport of
me, and was about to turn and leave
him for my post when he said
You are a new boy here, aren't
your
II explained to him that I was only
on duty for the day. and reminded him
that he was on my petition for regu-
lar place.
go right to the doorkeeper with you
now and have II fixed He took me
and went directly to Mr.. Horner and
said bluffiy TO him:
why don't you give this boy a
place? Didn't recommend him?
1.-THE doorkeeper explained that he
was so crowded with applications that
he couldn't find place for me, but he
promised Mr.. Toombs that I should
have the first vacancy.
"One morning I found out that one
of the lads had been taken off by his
parents. / Immediately bounced upon
Mr.. Horner to keep his promise, but
he put me off, saying he was so crowd
ed with other obligations that he could
not take care of me. 1 Immediately re-
ported the facts to Mr.. Toombs.
The devil you say" said the states
man from Georgia. III see whether he
puts you on or not.
He took me by the hand and walked
directly over to where the doorkeeper
was and said:
why don't you put this boy on as
you agreed?'
my dear Mr.. Toombs, I cannot do
It, have made some other promises
that / must first fulfill
1.-The thunder you must! said Mr..
Toombs, very emphatically. You'll
either put this boy on or I'll put you
out"
You may imagine that from that
Il H., h. III al
1 got so big that 1 had no business
there"
Getting the autographs of MEM
bers," continued Robson, was quite a
source of income. For this service we
received so, but this money was not
easily earned. 1t was very difficult to
get some of the members to sign, while
others We're delighted to write their
names. Andrew Johnson was one who
was very fond of giving his autograph.
and it was with some difficulty that he
could write il. He was just then COM
ing into significant public life and his
education had not been CLEANED in
school house. In signing his name he
would put his tongue to one side OF his
mouth and sway his body with every
movement of his pen. 1t was, there
fore great fun for the boys to get Mr..
Johnson to sign his name, and they
were constantly playing pranks on him.
The members were as bad as the boys,
and they would put the pages up to go
to him for his signature for the purpose
of watching him write 1T.
Henry Clay" continued Mr.. Robson,
gave me an opportunity to make S25.
His compromise bill was pending in the
senate and il was taken up unexpect-
eddy, when many of those opposed to IL
were absent, among them Mr.. Douglas.
There was great CONSERVATION among
those opposed to 1t. The pages from
both houses were sent in every direc-
ton looking for Mr.. Douglas, while
some senator was put up TO talk
against time. None of the messengers
were able to find him. / came in in
the midst of the excitement, and asked
what was the commotion. Every one
said:
1--WE want to find Mr.. Douglas
lust then jeremiah Clemens of Ala
bama came up, and said: I'll give S25
to any one who will find Mr.. Doug
las
IT at once inquired of the boys where
they had been, and suggested half
dozen places where he might be found.
for the pages knew very well most of
the haunts of the congressman. We
have been to all of them says the
| boys in concert. l hit upon a place
| after a moments study where
| thought he might be. The boys seemed
| l rushed out OF the door. grabbed my
| hat, and darted for the house. The
pages in those days had horses to ride
| in going on errands. They We're rather
queer horses, but. nevertheless. they
were better than none. Mr.. Horner,
| the doorkeeper, had to give us an order
| for one. He kept them ready written,
and they read. no matter what the
boys name, Give Jack a horse l got
| one. quickly ran and mounted one OF
| the nags, and at the top or his speed,
| dashed up the avenue. / drew up TO
the place. about half mile distant.
rang the door bell. and asked II Mr..
Douglas was in. He is said the ser
| want Tell him Mr.. Clay's compromise
bill is about TO pass and he Is wanted
| Immediately In a minute l heard Mr..
Douglas voice saying:
| "'Great heavensl is that so?'
1.-The servant came back and told me
| to leave the horse at the door. and j
oaN ~