Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-30

hauled him just across Eccles bridge
but 1t looked as If his decentralization
must be complete. His Scotch blood
full of grit at a crisis, came to his
rescue. and enabled him to pull himself
together; he walked back quietly be-
tween his captors and jumped nimbly
upon the platform amid shouts of
laughter and the waving Of hats and
handkerchiefs. When at length he
could command silence, he redeemed
himself by an admirable speech. fun of
force and fire. and retired. laurel
bearing Horace From that day TO
this have never heard of his being at
a loss before the public.
and another spell binder were
booked for speaking at county pre-
cinct, seven miles from Fayetteville.
two nights before the State election of
last August. Ii was not n Democratic
rally, but we We're expected to divide
time in discussion with Fox Person. OF
Wayne, said to be an able Populist de-
batter. 1t was a pleasant evening, and
there was large crowd in front of the
stand, OH which there was a band in
rear of the speakers. tlaring torches
and lamps over the grounds, with
booths for the sale of ice-cream, lem
onade. etc.
Mr.. Person did not make his appear
ance My friend led off. l followed, and
we congratulated ourselves that we
We're TO have things all our own way Il
good deal to our surprise as the Repub-
means were very strong in that part of
the country. We were never more mis-
taken in our lives. 1t was not intend
ed that there should be Il Democratic
walk-oNer that evening; and after
concluded. there was short pause,
when prominent citizen, "a Northern
born man. came TO the front and
mounted the stand. The enthusiasm
with which he was greeted convinced
me that we had been heard with deco
rum from feelings of hospitality. but
that the crowd was arouSing itself for
the fun OF the occasion. The North
erner, passing me by with great con-
sideration or great Indifference l am
not sure which. fell all over my COM
panion and made the fur fly. When he
finished there came through the crowd
and took his place on the platform. n
stalwart. handsome. Swarthy man.
amid cries of: Go it. JIM" Nov.
down that little bald-headed fellow!''
Give 1t to him! "IIurrah, Johnson"
feilow- citiZcns," said he. Il shall
not attempt Il reply TO the last Demo-
cratic speaker. His oratory cannot be
equaled anywhere in North Carolina,
and his figures of speech are grand -
There was wave of blank disappoint-
mcnt passing over the faces of his
auditory at this ll-timed generosity to
a political foe. whom they were wait
MS ~ SSC SNltiiltu. Iut, ike the DS-
thon at the geological gardens which
ticks the live pigeon over for better
deglutition. Mr.. Johnsing was soft
soaping me only the better to swallow
me. Then he went on: 'Fellow-citi-
zens. during the war we read about
battles-+-rfesifig from early-,norn to
deWy eve. and when the casualties
were counted up. there We're killed
and 10 wounded on one side, and kill
ed and IL wounded on the other side.
Why was that fellow citizens? Why
was there so much shooting. and so
little killing? They aimed too high. fell
low-citizens. >ney aimed too high. And
50 the eloquent speaker aimed too high
He never hit the bulls-eye any time,"
do not think that the greater part of
that crowd appreciated the fine satire
of Mr.. Jim Johnson-but there was one
there who did. thoroughly.
]. II. NJ.