New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-20
X Boutillier Brothers

other day when the Speaker was up for dis
cussion in the cloakroom. is the most practical
man I ever saw; canny, the Scotch would say,
but that, translated into plain, everyday Ameri-
can. means nothing but practical. and TO that
quality I attribute all his success in life. No
matter what sort of a position he finds himself
in he sees a way out and he cuts GOrdan knots
with the skill of an Alexander. This
peciaIIy true Of him during the war, and while
then as now. a great respecter of order and dis
cipline, he never allowed either the one or the
other to interfere with his efficiency Off
Ger. Apropos of his direct way Of meeting diff
cultes the following story told the other
day by a former companion in arms whose adj
mration for Dave has grown with the years
that have passed since the days when they slept
under the same blanket.
Henderson was lieutenant of the 18th Iowa
at Corinth, and as usual on the alert 10 see that
all went we'll with his He finally noticed
a soldier whose gun had become clogged IN some
way or other. and absolutely refused 10 work.
The poor fellow, thinking. perhaps, that if he
had TO face the enemy with a gun that was
worse than useless ne was goner sure seemed
utterly TO have lost his nerve and trembling
like an aspen leaf Noting the mans dilemma,
Henderson called out to him:
q You Internal fool'-men are not apt TO be
very choice in their language at such a time
you Internal fool why don't you pick the tube
out with pin like you used TO do when hunting
prairie chickens
The word prairie chickens had a familiar
sound and served to bring the terrified creature
10 himself He began at once 10 clean his gun
and in a few moments appeared TO have as good
control of himself and TO be as brave as any of
his comrades. A little later this same fellow
was wounded in his thigh, but he didn't give
up he. Painfully he dragged himself be-
hind a tree, and from that cover bIazed away
at the enemy long he had a cartridge left
The state of affairs between this Government
and the Ottoman Empire is still the main sub
ject for gossip not only in diplomatic but social
circles. The Department Of State. it seems. does
not consider that the time has expired within
which its demands for payment of the promised
indemnity should be complied with, and at the
solicitation OF the Turkish Minister, who has
said to have pledged the ultimate payment Of
the indemnity, has consented to await the ar
rival Of Ahmed Pacha, who is on his way TO
this country bearing olive branch in
hand and the contract for the building OF ship
in the other.
If this distinguished envoy. who. by the way,
is an admiral Of the Turkish navy. comes with
the serious purpose Of adjusting the claims of
missionaries in a manner satisfactory to this
Government he Will be warmly welcomed. If,
the contrary, as has been persistently ru-
nored. he comes 70 place the contract for the
building Of a warship. and under cover Of this
transaction to hocus pocus the Department Of
State, his errand will be a fruitless one. and
Turkey will learn to her cost that this Govern
nent will stand duplicity no double dealing.
In the mean time. ALI Ferrouh Bey remains
at his post contrary TO all diplomatic precedent.
and his Government shows no present intention
of recalling him. While awaiting the arrival of
his colleague the Turkish Minister makes him
self agreeable on all Sides endeavoring main
tain the friendly relations which he insists have
not been and will not be broken between this
country and his own He never misses OPP
portunity of defending his royal master. and
affirms in strong and eloquent language that the
Padshah is a Of his word and will carry
out whatever he has promised Regarding the
American Minister to Tu key Ali Ferrouh has
happily moderated his language, and at the
suggestion Of some wise adviser refrains from
scoring Mr.. Straus and questioning his good
faith as he had the bad taste 10 do when the
reason for that diplomats absence from Turkey
was first made known here.
Those who have lived in the Ottoman Empire
and are thoroughly acquainted with the
speakable Turk insist upon it that there will
be no settlement OF this Governments demand
without some show Of force and that the only
way 10 compel the Sultan carry out his cove
nant is 10 send warshp TO one OF his ports
Strangely enough. these warlike suggestions
come from clergymen and the religious sects
who are interested in missionary work in Ar
menia and among other things IL is proposed
TO lombard Smyrna and seize the custom house
No compromise. they insist. should be consid-
cred and II the Government follows the advice
OF the missionaries and their friends there will
be no backing down from the original demand
no matter what tempting proposals Ahmed
Pacha lays before it
II feel regarding the Vice-Presidential NOM
nation" said Of the possible candidates the
other day, who. IT is said. has sometimes heard
the buzzing or the classic bee in his bonnet.
'Iike the darby who went down TO the cotian