The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1896-04-15

q
that there Is no such popular eloquence
now aa there was IN the long ago
w G. =. breckenridge falls short Of
Thomas r. Marshall. Senator Lindsay
falls short OF Elijah Hlse and Senator
Blackburn falls short OF William T.
Willis There were giants In those
days because there we're occasions for
them.
But, speaking OF stump speakers.
wish to relate an anecdote which has
the merit Of truth II nothing else. II
was IN 1856 believe the exact date Is
not important. for It was about that
era James ?. Bates. then OF Glasgow
and later Of Bowling Green. made a tour
Of Kentucky. delivering speeches In adj
vocacy Of the democratic cause.
"On the tour speak Of he had an ap-
poiuiment 10 speak at Harrodsburg.
Mercer county. and handbllls announc-
Ing the event had been posted In the
town weeks IN advance OF the date.
There resided AZ Harrodsburg an in
tense whiF. Thomas Martin. who had
formerly lived In Barren county. and
though he hated Bates politics be- knew
the capabilities OF the man. lie knew
that bluegrass people. as a rule. had n
very poor opinion OF Pcnnyr'ile. and
dld not think anything very excellent
could come out OF az pronounced a
Pcnnyrllc county as Barren. SO Mar
tin. when he found Bates was TO speak
in Mercer county. began TO herald him
aa one Of the leading orators OF the
state lie would say: Just wait until
Col. james r. Bates gets here: he'll
show you what cloquence o.. IFS
words we're received with incredibly
and even with derlsion. but he persisted
and finally be succeeded In arouslng
the curiosity OF the whole community.
and a splendid audience was assured
Bates upon his appearance.
AT last the day arrived and with Il
Bates. Martin and about a dozen other
friends were sitting IN front OF the
tavern-ihere was no 'hoier then-and
about II O'Clock In the forenoon they
saw approaching q tall and uncou,h
figure. almost gro,csque In rarb-a
soiled linen buster. a folled s'oyoplpe
hat soilod trousers that bad climbed
nearly 10 the knees. exposing q pair ~
'blue-miNed home-k knit. yarn socks
loosely covering spindle shanks. aai
/ Just above shoes. united. that were
rusty as last years plowshare. All this
besirlda an old nca-hiticn gray mare.
laihered with sweat. for the day was
Georchlng hot Il was James p. Bates
"ilc rode up 10 the tavern and before
Do 1imouniod be halloci out In that
/ voice that no man who ever heard Il
ever forgot Tom Martin. how are YOU
am glad 70 see you. for want dram
and you can tell me whore ] can get
tho best liquor Martin was hnrrlfel.
for bis companions were conyulscd with
laughter and enjoyed bis evident em-
harrassmont lie answered Dates o.
shaking him by the hand and leading
him to the tavern bar whore both took
'hog-drivors.' lie then went out and
took Bates saddlebags on the old gray
mare. carried them inside and had the
best room In the house put 90 com.
mission. Bates shirt was not immacu.
late and Martin ashcd ont from the
saddlobags a clean garment he sent
out for the town barber and had his
friend deccntly shaved. his clothes
brushed. shoes polished and hat
smoothed.
Bates complained Of being very tired
and anxious for an hours rest and was
fast asleep on the bed before Martin had
finished arranging his wardrobe. Mar
tin went downstairs aud there he was
numerically guyCd By his friends and
acquaintance OF bota parties. but hts
only answer was; Go and hear him. Fu
and hear him. gentlemen. aud you'll
change your tune They an said the
would not miss Il for any confederation
Upon the ringing OF the alst tavern
bell Martin took another log-lriyer
up 10 Bates. who was already up aud
performing his ahluilons After he wa,
dressed and the liquor drank they DO
scendcd to the dining room. whor
Bates ate hearty mha'. AFTER which D,
eat down Tor awhile under Tue shad.
trees IN from, OF the tavern. eossiplu,
with Martin about old times and Old
friends down In BARN.
when the snoakiug was announce,
by the ringing OF the courthouse bell
Bates and Martin proceeded 10 tina
building, already overaowing with PEG
pie, many OF them drawn irom idle curl
osity to hear what sor, OF lalb such at
odd-looking old coiror would make.
Bates assembled the judges stand anI
opened with the stortoiypcd Fellow
citizens His former aspect wa
changed. His eyes his manner. M
voice were those OF the na,ure-moldc
orator. He knew two things the IA,
ami polillcs-aud on that occasion h
discussed political issues like the mas
ter he was. Those who came to moe
remained 30 applaud. aud Cor two hour