Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-23
SHE MET THE GOVERNOR

ct have learned that parrots and girls
sometimes talk too much and too careless
w." remarked q pretty girl not long back
from the. Nashville exposition to a Star
| reporter. You, see, was doing the expo
sition, under the most delightful auspices,
and meeting all sorts Of people constantly.
I was also collefting souvenirs, everything
from badges IL food specimens. One day
some special Ceremonies were going on.
and the Washington delegation had its
headquarters R the leading hotel. I was
on hand making my everlasting collection
of souvenirs. Papa had introduced me to a
lot Of be-sashed;e badged and ribboned men,
and was chatting away regardless of
names and titles. 1t was safe to call every
body colonel. Pretty soon / found myself
talking to an exceedingly good-looking gen.
tlemap with a pair of merry eyes and an
expansive forehead. I didn't notice much
else, because I was so taken up with the
magnificence- of his decorations. He had a
dream of gold fringed sash crossed about
his breast, more Masonic. military and So
ciety badges than l could count, and a
Ginning pair of epaulets, not to mention
plumed helmet. Visions rose before me
of possessing one of those epaulets or at
least ore OF his many decorations. The
man fairly scintillated gold, red and blue,
and as he appeared to be very deferential
with wealth of southern chivalry in his
iHdhueF, L ndu no neSltduCy III HdhlHS IL
hid for an addition to my collection of SOU
venirs. Summoning my most fetching
smile. asked for an epaulet.
My colonel looked rather surprised.
and expressed his regret that he was not
at liberty to comply with my request. add
ing that he was booked for conspicuous
position in the parade to take place later
on.
stunning badges You have no idea what
cherished addition 1t would be to my col
lection OF Nashville mementos.' The
colonel looking further amused, replied
refuse me.
Now, colonel said I. growing bold.
don't say no to everything. Can't 1 have
single ribbon of all your gorgeousness?'
but I'll tell you what will do. I'll get you
some pieces of ribbon corresponding in
color to my badges. It's the nearest l can
come to giving the badges themselves
All right I assented. But don't be
long, colonel, for 1 may have to go any
minute
with a profound bow, the colonel with
drew, and just at that moment papa came
up with a smiling remark about my catch
ing very big fish in my conversational net
after the manner of teasing fathers.
oh. he was rather NICE. I retorted. in
an ofhand manner. I have just sent him
terly to part with any of his own decora-
tons,
Sent him to get you some ribbons?
gasped my astonished father. Sent the
governor of Tennessee for ribbons"
'Who?' I almost shreked.
Why, the governor; the governor of
this state. Child that was Governor Bob
Taylor you were talking to. He's regarded
as the most popular man in the state, and
he Is famous for having won his election
by playing the fiddle on the stump instead
of making longwinded campaign speeches.
How dare you transform the governor into
messenger boy, to do your shoppingT
Papa and groaned out misere-e
duet, and I simply flew from that hotel
You don't suppose 1 waited to get the rib
bons? Not 1. Another sight of that man
would have ma1e me feel about the size of
fly. Only think of it, a girl ordering
about governor of a great state with as
little concern as she would have COM
manded college freshman. I heard that
the governor returned shortly afterward
with the ribbons and a box of bonbons
and he was greatly disappointed because 1
was not present to receive them. During
the remainder Of my stay in Nashville I
devoted myself to keeping out of the way
of Governor Taylor. Papa says when I
learn to keep my ears wider open and my
mouth closer shut 1 will be more of a
credit to the family name"