The times., 1898-03-01
CAPITOL GOSSIP.

Nj Benton of Missouri was released
from quarantine Yesterday. and for the
first time in twelve days made his ap-
pearance on the floor of the House. Two
weeks ago Mr.. Benton's young son was
stricken with scarlet fever. The at
tending physician quarantined the house
and separated the lads brothers and sis
ters from him. For the next twelve days
the Congressman was an exile from the
House and was confined to his own
home as closely as il he had been strick
en- with the fever instead of his son.
The boy is now convalescent ana his
physician has assured Mr.. Benton that
there is but little danger of the other
members of the family contracting the
disease.
a tall. slender-looking man, whose hair
was silvered by age and whose clerical
attire and white neCktie plainly denoted
his profession slowly walked down the
corridors of the House yesterday. He
acted as if he were looking for some
body or something. and as if he did not
know precisely where to terminate his
search Finally he stopped in front of
the door leading to the floor of the
House. and glaaCing sharply at one of
the messengers enjoying the comfort of
an easy chair. he bent his tall form uu-
til his mouth became on a Level with the
messengers ear. and in a very low and
hesitatinG voice. said:
II beg your pardon, but can You-
can YOU tell me where | can find booze
Amazed at hearing such a question
from so clerical a looking man, the mes
senger could only stammer:
''Sir-what's that YOU said?'
II said booze; | want booze" almost
apologetically reiterated the clerical gen
tleman.
Booze" exclaimed the messenger. and
his eyes flashed with activity and his
tongue hastily rolled over his lips. for he
scented a cocktail in the near future
Booze! Come with me and I'll show you
| where you can get cask of it, and witI
unaccustomed alacrity he sprang fror
his chair, thrust his arm through that OF
the divine and hurried him to the stair
! way leading TO the lunch room.
Surprised at such energy. the elderly
| man, as soon as he could. stopped and
| turning a mild, reproachful eye on tht
| impatient messenger. said gently:
! Il fear, my friend, you did not under
stand me; ! said ! was looking fol
! booze
! nat : All IlBll. come dloiB WIFI me
! I've been looking for booze all day an'
I'm glad of a chance to help you. Yol
see, growing confidential. Il made a nigh
Of ii with the boys, and my head is awful
| ! know just how you feel, old man. ant
| I'm with you all day if you say So
CONSERVATION pure and unadulterate
| was depicted on the clergyman face. II
seemed to be completely dumbfounded
| Without moving a step in response to tn
tug at his arm given by the messenger
he family murmured:
IL fear, l fear there Is some mistake
! My head is all right; | don't want any
thing / simply want booze
Yes. yes; booze, that's what II
a-goin to get for us. Come with me an
you can get any kind you want. If yo
are partial to cocktails" and the mes
senger's eyes became dreamy, the Y
got the boss mixer down stairs
Il fear, my friend. said the clergyman
mildly. that ! have not made mysel
clear, Il should have said / want TO fin
Congressman Booze, OF Baltimore, Nd"
The messengers hand fell from th
! cleTgYmans arm as If paralyzed An eH
preston of sadness passed over his fac
! aud disappointment nearly choked HI
voice as with humble apology he sal
he had made a mistake and requestin
he went into the House and found NJ
Booze. who soon afterward greeted h
visitor.