The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-02

'I am one OF the few reporters who
ever succeeded in getting an interview
| out Of Senator -" said an old newspa-
per man, naming a we'll known Western
politician "and l secured mine under
very peculiar circumstances. says the
New Orleans Times Democrat II was
working on certain big newspaper up In
the Northwest when the senator came 10
town and the editor-in-chief himself in
structed me 10 get talk out OF him on
the financial situation. l was new man,
anxious To please, and L determined TO
bring In that story or perish I'm the at
tempt. i knew the senator was averse 20
talking. so l didn't send up my card, but
waylaid him I'm the corridor OF the hotel.
and he turned me down with jolt that
Jared my very soul The No. sirr that
snapped out OF that thin-lipped. square
cut mouth OF his was as chilly as a ladle
OF liquid air. and / realized fully that l
was up against It,. as the saying goes.
my next move was to get prominent
local politician to introduce me and say a
good word I'm my behalf. I've already
given this young man my answer. he
said. and I'd thank him not TO modest me
any further That was certainly dis
coursging. but didn't give up. The SEN
ator was leaving for Washington that
night and | learned that he WAS going
to spend the afternoon visiting a relative
who lived at a small village about 30
miles from town. AS a forlorn hope got
on the train and went along. When he
reached the village he caught sight OF
me and favored me with a scowl OF MIN
gled wrath and astonishment. Then he
hurried away. and I put In several hours
cooling my heels at the corner grocery. l
hoA 10 aH init
heartening.
The return train was an accommoda-
ton. and was due to arrive in the city i'm
time TO connect with the Washington
limited When we were within ten miles
OF home. and / had practically given up
the chase. the ramshackle engine ran off
the track. and the conductor announced
that We might be stuck there all night
We were on a desoiate, unsettled prairie
but when the train came 10 standstill
noticed a countryman driving an old
spring wagon along nearby dirt road.
and on the impulse of the moment
rushed over and chartered the outfit for
$40 to take me TO town. was on the
seat I'm possension, before the passengers
had recovered from their surprise. and
the first man tn reach me was the sena-
tor. Where are you going?' he asked.
TO the city 1 replied Well. I want
you to take me along. said he, begin
ming to climb in. Sorry said ], but
can't do It oh, hang IL ALL! he ex-
claimed excitediy I've got to catch that
train! How much do you want 10 carry
me TO the city?' What about that In
terview? / asked. Luckily for me the
Senator had somev sense OF humor, and
smiled grimly. All right he said, get
ting in. Drive fast and fire away with
your questions hac what / wanted
to ask pretty well shaped up in my mind
and began Immediately.
He answered freely enough until
came TO the attitude of the New York
Gold Democrats. That's subject upon
which 1 have determined not TO express
myself he said testify. Very WELL
said T. Whoa, there, Dobbin! and /
stopped the team. What are you going
to dor he inquired. I'm going to give
you an opportunity to reconsider l re-
piled. But, Great Scott. man, I'll miss
my train; he almost shouted. That's
your lookout / returned calmly.
agreed to take you along on the ex-
press condition that you give me an In
terview on the financial situation. and
the question 1 asked is essential TO the
interview I was considered the bigger
man physically. or i think we would
have had war then and there. AS IL
was the Senator swore softly for a few
moments. and then gave me my answer.
I Immediately whipped up the team,
and we had no further trouble. l got
first class talk and landed my passenger
at the depot quarter of an hour ahead
of train time. We parted good friends,
and when We met again. year or so
later. he shook hands cordially. Done
anything more In the highway robbery
liner he asked"