The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-14
A Pen Sketch of the Nebras-
kan on the Trip.
CAROLINIAN COURTESY
HOW \ SUBSTITUTE WAS FOUND
FOR HANDSHAKING.
PLoW.HANDLes IMPLEMENTS OF SALUTE
incidents Showing the Warmth Of Affection in
Which Mr.. Bryan is Held by the Com
mon People and His Uniform
Thoughtfulness of Others.

The following sketch OF Mr.. Bryan on
his first visit to the State is from the
News and Observer of September 18th,
1896:
North Carolinans have had the good
horse-sense not to talk Mr.. Bryan to
death. That is one reason why ne
recuperated so in North Carolina. IT
is quite likely that he has been more
wearied by listening to people than
by talking to them. For example, at
one point outside of the State, the
crowd poured in gapingly upon him.
He had just finished long speech in
the hot sun. and had lost much sleep
the night before. But tins did not
matter to them. After having made al
most personal scramble for his bags
and overcoat, he went to his large
chair in the rear coach, took of hlS
coat. tied a plain red bandana hand
kerchief about his neck and sat down.
Throwing his head back his eyes closed
almost instantly under the weight or
the work he had undergone.
The crowd increased, and passed
about him. Said one: Mr.. Bryan,
couldn't | help you oft with your vest?'
Opening his eyes. and Smiling. he
said with some hoarseness: NO. thank
YOU. / do not care to take off my vest.
Then one after one would come with
something until the man was allowed
absolutely no rest between speaking
places Some of the more persistent
would bury their lips in his ears in tho
''me and him is intimate" kind of way.
and
smiling through il all. The crowd
would now and then be put out, but
they would soon bob up again. One
chap was on guard every moment,
lanky somebody with a shock of tow
hair which he kept cOmbing back with
his fingers. holding his wide-brimmed
tournament shaped hat in the other
hand. while he put on a pose worthy Of
a Texas statesman.
There was not. that | saw, an in
stance of this kind of thing in North
Carolina: the people We're patient TO
hear what Mr.. Bryan had to say. rem
derng their own ycrdicts by the enthu-
siasm of ther cheers But this does not
mean that there were not the most
touching evidences of affection. For
example. at Asheville. when Mr.. Bryan's
hands were so sore from much shaking
rs TO force him to ask the men to ''he
easy. don't squeeze. boys. the response
to his wishes was immediate. One man
exclaimed: well. just hang your hand
out of the window. so we can touch 1t.
Mr.. Bryan cut Ais eyes around and
smiled n broad anliable smile and put
his hand out of the window. Then one
nv one ND into the hundreds, the men
came and simply touched the back of
his hand. The train was about to move.
when not being able to touch his hand
from his position in the crowd another
cried: "Well, hold his coat out here SO
| can touch that then. and %hhe ne
was holding his hand out at one part
of the crowd, a gentleman VINO was SIT
ting by him, caught up his thin coat
the same alapaca one he wore at the
conyention-and held it to the window.
when the man grasped the edge OF IL al
his hands and letting go his hold upon
the window fell back and was submerged
i'm the billows of men, At Hot Springs,
a very fashionably dressed woman press
ed to the steps of the platform. MY
husband is Republican, Mr.. Bryan
She exclaimed. with laugh. but | am
a Democrat" Mr. Bryan. smiling. said
TO her: That's better than if it were
the other way"
The train was making fast time. and
the cheers of the stopping places seenr-
ed to fill the air even while the train
was in motion just as the rolling SEN
Sation of a steamer continues after one
has come ashore. But the cheers were
not always imaginary: for example, az
one point. with the train at full speed
n yoley of voices We're heard Just for
an instant. The cheers were from sew
eral men ploughing in the fields. and
now the men had jerked off their plough
handles and were waving them III the
air after this remarkable man. Ihi'
pleased Mr.. Bryan very much.
A touching incident much akin tc
nhis occurred at Salisbury where 4
workman was late in reaching the
rrain. The tempest of people had beer
tossed from station to the speaking
stand and back To the station The
train was moving away toward Lex
incton hats and hands handkerchief;
and cheers rising and falling IN sWeii>
Finally the man. not to be outdone, SCI
ont in hard run with his plaIsterer :
bucket and implements. He reached the
platform almost breathless. But throw
ing down his bucket, he held up his
1rowel shouting Just touch that. Mr.
Rrvan, Touch it, Touch it, An(
Mr.. Bryan. reaching his hand far out
did so and the man dropped back. way
ing his troweI. Friday morning. JUS
after Mr.. Bryan had taken his coffee
one of the party in the sleeper referred