The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-02

Of shcir ccmirg into close quarters IN the
shifting Of the crowd =, 49,,
ArriyinG I'm tho waiting room IN Jersey
civ Mr. Biaine and his companion seat
ed Themselves In remote corner, pend
ing tho arrival OF the next boat from inc
pesbrosscs street ferry. MI. hIn .,,i
brilliant ever shore with greater brillan-
cv than ever that morning. and seemed
10 sparklc at times with peculiar liSnt,
ag in some playful thought when ne
wanted 10 but dared not reveal was strug-
cling FOR utterarcc. lie noted every
sound OF cogWlccls and rafting chains
in tho ferry house. and watched the en-
trance 90 the waiting room as lntcnty as
"a cat is supro. ed 10 waich a mouse mole;
lie chaftcd pleasantly mcanWhllc, ana
ncr,Ously fumllcd "a morning paper. when
he held Ina his hands, and which, his
companion OWNED. was really for use IN
screening his face from view II occasion
should require.
In about fifteen minutes the next boat
from DcsbrOsses street came into the slip.
and among the FIRST TO enter the doorway
90 the waiting room was the big New
York Senator. \ smile played upon the
expressive face OF Mr. Blaine as his eyes
followed his great rival striding across
the room toward the door leading 10 tho
train shed. Mr.. Conkling had only just
disappeared from view when the two inu-
'ual friends made their appearance. Ihey
hastily located MIR. Blaine. whose com
panion temporarily stepped aside as they
approached. The three men exchanged
"A few words ga a low tone. and these
were followed by q round OF suppressed
laughter. Another boat was 70 arrive be-
fore the starting OF the train. ne TWO
men, however. quickly followed tne pain
just taken by Mr.. COnkllng ana soon
greeted him in the car. where they found
him already seated in his chair. The SEN
ator expressed his pleasure upon learn
ing that he was 10 have the two gentle.
men as travelling companions. and all
Of inf
yersation.
In about five minutes Mr. Blaine as
cendcd the rear steps Of tho car. ana as
ne entered the two friends arose and
shook him warmly by the hand. as II II
were the first meeting Of the morning.
meanwhile inquring for the number OF
his chair lie replied that IL was NO. s.
To reach II he was obliged To pass that
Of Mr.. Conkling which he did silently,
and placing his travelling bag on the
floor he removed his overCont and hung II
upon a hook. after which he seated him
self with his face IN profile from Mr.. Conk-
lings location. The conversation be
tween the New York senator and the two
mutual friends had been suddenly inter-
rupted by the appearance Of Mr.. Blaine
and was not renewed when he novel
forward. Mr. Conkling frowned and man
ifested signs Of embarrassment and dis
comfort. lie compressed his lips as was
his habit I'm moments Of determination
movement that had the effect OF elevating
his checks and protruding his chin. which
was adorned with a carefully trimmed
Van Dyke beard. II was this peculiari-
~ Of countcnahce and contour Of his face
that inspired the artists with the idea Of
representing him as a pouter pigeon IN
the cartoons OF the day
The mutual friends maintained their
composurc. took up the morning news
papers and scanned their pages and In
other ways endcavored to conceal their
interest IN the situation. Every seat in
the car was occupied and the indications
were that the same conditions existed
throughout tho length OF the train. The
signal sounded and the journey began,
with Mr.. COnkling evidently annoyed ana
Mr.. Blaine and the mutual friends In
state of indcscribable internal agitation.
Although unable wholly 20 conceal his
emotions Mr.. Conkling continued reason
ably passive. one of the mutual friends
addressed casual remark TO him. 10
which he made "A courteous response. al
the same time. however betraying by his
manner and his tone of voice an indispo-
sitiOn 10 enter into conversation. Mr.
Blaine meanwhile sat with his face to-
ward the opposite side Of the car, his
eyes fixed in that faraway expression so
familiar 10 those who knew him well.
The train had passed beyond the limits
Of the city and was rolling over the
salt meadows when Mr. Conkling, az II
suddenly seized by an inspiration. rose
from his chair took HIS overcoat from
tho hook on which 10 had been hanging
threw il over his arm. picked up the
newspapers with which he had supplied
himself for his journey and selling his
travelling bag and umbrella. stalked to-
ward the front door of the car opened 10.
closed IL behind him. crossed the plat
FORM and entered the car ahead. Here
he met the conductor. with whom he held
brief dialogue. When Newark was
reached the train stopped. and I'm a few
moments the conductor escorted from the
forward car a pOnderous woman with q
largo collection of parcels. and leading
the way to the chair just vacated by Mr..
COnkling seated her therein.
Mr.. Blaine smiled and his eyes danced
mcrrily as he took q sidelOng glance to-
ward the two mutual friends. These gem
tlemen were very much discounted Their
faces were red, and they held their news
paT ers high In fiCht Of them 10 conceal
their embarrassment from their fellow
passengers. They had been ignominiOus-
lv beaten az the very threshold of their
laudable experiment II they had been
q couple OF mischievOus boys suffering
from 100 free indulgence OF unripe fruit
stolen from a neighbOr's tree. they could
not have been more uncomfortable. When
their first emotions of chagrin We're over
come they resolved 10 abandon at once
the unWelcOme functions Of volunteer
peacemakers They found comfort how
ever, in the episode from Mr.. Blaines
gracious appreciation Of their service.
and ne found much Amusement. then and
subsequently. In railying them on their un-
successful attempt 10 harmonic the DIFF
ferences existing between himself and his |
famous rival New York sun.