Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-12-22
CAPTAIN F|Tz PR|GG.
"Why, general! is that you?"

bdty SbhuloH WlGuOut uOtlCo, anu Wltn-
out the consciousness of having done
anything to merit the promotion, took
me little aback. It was my first
visit to New York, but I had read
enough about metropolitan tricks
upon travellers to be on my guard. I
supposed, in short, had had my eye
teeth cut-theoretically, at least.
''You are in error, SIR" I said; 'I
am not the gentleman you take me
for"
"What not General Flayem
of-?"
"My name is Hay," I replied
'Timothy Hay from
"Well I never was so mistaken |!
Do you know, "the stranger continued,
''you and my friend, the general, are
as like as twins? But beg your par
don, sir-no offense, hope.''
After all, there is something flatter-
ing in being taken for distinguished
person. The gentleman seemed so NOR
tilted, moreover, at his blunder that I
could not help softening toward him.
Indeed, I felt half way inclined to
apologize for my identity. The least
I could do was to invite him to stake
something" He knew good place,
and thither we adjourned.
"By the way" remarked my new
acquaintance; as we clicked glasses
'being from-you must know my
old friend, Judge Virgins.
Now, it happened that I did not
know the Judge, but it would never do
to let on didn't, for he was the lead
ing man of my state. So put on
bold front and said:
Intimately"
Forthwith we proceeded to expiate
on the judge-in fact, exhausted him
agreeing, in conclusion, that he
was the properest man in the nation
to have been made chief justice, and
that it was burning shame that his
GLAZING hadn't been recognized.
Captain Fitz Prigg that, 1 learned,
was the strange gentleman's name-I
loon discovered, had an extensive ac-
quaintance with our public men. From
the president down through the heads
and tails of departments to the newest
congressman, he knew them all. 1
I think I learned more of American
biography from the captain, as we
stood chatting over our toddy, than I
had gathered from all my previous
reading.
''But 1 was just on my way to dine
at s." said the captain; "best res
taurant in the city would be de-
lighted to have your company. It's
so rar0 that one meets one with whom
Ine finds it a pleasure to converse.
modestly tried to excuse myself;
bat the captain pressed his invitation
Sc warmly that it would have seemed
rude to persist in declining. SO I
Duffrred him to take my arm and lead
me away simultaneously with the be-
ginning of an elaborate disquisition
on general politics, which lasted till
we reached our destination.
The captain had not overrated The
merits of IS. The dinner we sat
down to could hardly have been sur
passed, either in the luxuriance of the
dishes or the elegance of the serving.
Captain Fitz Prigg ordered everything
Oh the most magnificent scale. He
must have long purse, I reflected,
to stand this sort of thing often. And
how the captain sparkled as we
feasted! never saw man who
could eat, drink and talk all at once
like him. He could expound the Vir-
ginius case with his mouth full of
grouse, discuss backpay while masti-
eating canvas back and guzzle while
doing all the rest.
pardon me moment, Mr.. Hay"
said the captain, finishing his coffee
and rising; 81 see one of our city
missionaries over there, and must give
him something. make it point, in
my humble way, to neglect no oppor-
tunity of doing good. BY the by
taking out his wallet-''can you
change me fifty?"
I could and did.
"Keep your seat--I shall be back
PRESENTLY" he added, stepping aside
md accosting privately young man
whose attire, thought, would have
comported better with his sacred call
ing had the colors of his waistcoat
been shade more subdued and the
stripes on his trousers trifle less
COIupilCdtcu.
The two withdrew by a side en-
trance. My friend, it was evident, was
not one of those who give aims to be
seen of men, but belonging rather to
that class whose right and left hands,
in matters of charity, are on terms of
of no particular confidence.
The captains stay was more pro-
longed than had expected. To pass
the time 1 glanced over the evening
paper, but found it dull after my
friends sprightly conversation.
1t began to grow late, and the
waiter approached with the bill.
''My friend will settle it" said;
''he has just stepped out, but will be
back in moment"
"You and he can arrange that after
ward" replied the waiter, ''but it's
OAR time for closing"
I felt rather embarrassed. The bill