Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-28

| Il will gladly give the same amount,
| and if you all help as much as you
| can. our brother will soon have a new
| suit. and good one. too"
| The collection was made. 1t realized
very fair sum. and the minister was
| in due time provided with a suit
|
| 1t is not an uncommon sight in the
! American Senate to see some statesman
pause during set speech to uplift tea
cup. which does not contain tea. but un-
| like Disraeli the reverend senator's at
tend to the strength of the liquid before
it is served. In the Memoir of Henry
Cecil Raikes. the noted English postmas-
ter general. this story Is told of the Pre-
| mier. and his famous speech at Manches-
ter: when Mr.. Disraeli reached Man.
chester. almost his first act was to in
struct a gentleman, who was in mis- conf
dence. to purchase. If possible. three bot
ties of white brandy. This task the mes
senger found great difficulty in accom-
plishing. He hurried from one wine mer-
chant to another Some had never heard
OF the liquor. None had any of it in
stock. At last. when almost in despair.
he was told that If there was any of it in
the city at all. it was likely TO be found
in the cellars of a certain old gentleman.
who was collector of rare and curious
wines and spirits. He hurried to the ad-
dress indicated, and there found what he
was in search of. The supply, however.
was limited to two bottles and the pro-
prietor at first declared that nothing on
earth would induce him to part with
| them. As a last resort, the messenger
confided to him the reason why they were
required. On this the old gentleman
jumped up, and himself fetched the two
precious bottles, and sternly declining
any suggestion of payment. placed them
in his hands
But the strangest part of the story IS
yet to come. The two bottles were duly
conveyed to the hail. and placed under
the table; and Mr. Dsraeli gave his
friend strict injunctions to keep the tuni-
bier which stood upon it constantly re-
penished with brandy and water in
equal quantities while he was speaking
These instructions were carefully carried
out, but after some little time elapsed.
Mr.. Disrael half turned, and whispered.
Stronger! make it stronger This lie con-
tnued to repeat at intervals. until. tow
the friend was perforce driven into SUP
plying him with the neat spirit which,
| owing to its color was ndistinguishab bic
| from water by those who were sitting
around. And at the conclusion of his
speech both bottles were empty"
DECIDED BY MUSCLE
Among the historical records of Virginia
We find the story of an incident in the
life of one of the heroes of the Revolution
which has not, We believe, appeared else
where in print. states the Youths Com
panion. 1t is worthy of preservation. as
1t illustrates the acquiescence of our fore
fathers in me exercise of brute force as
arbiter in matters under dispute.
Captain Crawford. famous as an Indian
fighter. led an expedition into Virginia
shortly before Braddocks' defeat His
troop was made up of pioneers, indepen-
dent farmers who found it nard 10 submit
to military discipline.
Crawford needed transportation and
| meeting ii wagner with Il team of four
horses. ordered him into the service of
the king. The WAGNER was a man of gil
santic build. He surveyed the body of
| armed men surrounding him, and angry
| as he was, saw that resistance was use
less. Yet to leave his home and work for
| months meant ruin.
He threateningly approached Crawford.
i've not fair chance he said. ITS
one against hundreds. They're armed
and I'm not. But I'll tell you what would
be fair. I'll fight you or any man in your
army. If I'm whipped I'll go with you
If you're whipped | so free"
The proposal, absurd as it now seems.
| was too much in the spirit of the time
for Crawford to refuse it without being
| misunderstood by his troops He began
reluctantly to strip off his coat, when one
OF his men, young fellow who had been
leaning against tree, stepped forward
II will fight him. he said, facing the
giant IF you are beaten the whole
| company is disgraced. But if he kills me
| it is only IA WAGNER like himself The less
| in the world
Crawford, after a feeble show of resist
| ance consented, and the young trooper
sprang at the huge WAGNER with the fury
| of panther. Although lightly built he
| had muscles of steel. and after Il short
struggle the giant was beaten The Young
| man was Daniel Morgan. afterward a ma
jor-general In the Revolutionary army.
| HE KNEW him