Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-06
COL CHOPTANk COMES
TO THE FORE AGAIN

A card of address by way of invitation
from my old friend. Colonel Choptank of
the eastern shore. whom some of the read
ers of The Star will remember, caused me
to look In upon that worthy few evenings
ago He has been leading retired life for
some time and even his address was lost
to most of his acquaintance and admirers
| found the coloners quarters just what
those who know him would expect; one OF
those spacious roomy old houses built
when the foot front was not such an OBJ
ject as now. 1t is located in neighbor-
hood which society has not only forsaken,
but probably forgotten, yet there are those
of us who can recollect when this quiet street
and others hard by were fashions thor
oughfares. The ample, square-faced houses
of the neighborhood are mute witnesses OF
departed glories They are now fallen into
genteel decay from their ancient prosperity,
yet maintain a proper front TO the World
and an air of solid responsibility.
The colonel was standing in front OF
cheerful open-grate fire when L entered.
Glory be. there are yet few places Where
one can see the freight flicker and does
not have to warm himself by hole IN the
wall.
SO you had not forgotten the old fel-
low entirely?' he said. with an expression
of qualification as he pressed my hand
why, no, colonel; all your friends would
come to see you if you would let them know
where to find you"
about that. I've little faith in friendships
any more. You see befo' you, sir, a disap-
pointed man; sadder. and l might say
wiser man, for l have exemplified the truth
of the proverb Put not your faith In
princes. You know and many know my
services to my party. Why. sir. was not
called the wheel boss of the republican
party of the eastern Sho' for nothing.
L
here, at the beginning of this administra-
ton, confident that a tender of apprecla-
ton by the leaders of my party would pe
made me- Not that 1 needed place for
the sordid salary attached, for still have
a little worldly gear, but l do not deny that
| had that craving so natural to the hu-
man breast for proper recognition OF ones
best endeavors. 1 waited. but none was
made. Then delicately as possible, ana
with much diffidence l made suggestions.
which to the shame of the leaders OF my
party were met with procrastinatlng PROM
ises which never materiaiized.
FINALLY wounded to the quick, stepped
to the rear, and for the past two years
have lived quietly among my books and the
recollections of the past, while regretfuiiy
watching the decadence Of our republic
from the standards set by the fathers. But
l am contented and happy.
Then all is well with YOU"
"Oh, yes. There is still "a shot In the
locker on the eastern sho. My oyster oeus
are doing finely, hogs fatten and the earth
gives forth her increase as OF yore. But
l tire you with myself.
The colonel stepped across the room ana
pulled a tasseled bell cord hanging against
the wall A distant jangling awakened the
echoes in the basement.
Il cannot abide your new-fangled push
buttons" he said, land would not let them
take down this bell-pull
In answer to the ring old Shadrach soon
appeared He is little grayer in the wool,
hut lust as stiff and just as digntfied as
ever And it must e remembered that at
Sk, Oh oya
Request the jedge to step down: Shad-
rach," commanded the colonel, and let US
have the accessories.
why, is Judge Cherrystone still with
you?" I asked.
"Oh, yes, certainly" responded the col
onel hastily. He is-er-that is. have
prevailed upon him to be nay guest. indefi-
nitely Now, sir, there is another man who
was treated with ingratitude by his coun-
try For thirty years the jedge served the
government faithfully in his humble ca
pacity But he did not keep in touch with
his Influence AS soon as they found that
out they dropped him from the rolls, and l
but here he comes.
The portly form and rubicund visage of
Judge Cherrystone appeared in the door at
that moment. Time has dealt gently, with
him-rather improved him. 1 think, since
last we remember him. Perhaps the ex-