The Somerset reporter., 1901-10-24
AN AWFUL
TEST OF
GRATITUDE
BY JobD n. Rafferty,.


The friendship between Senator Har-
bne and old Newt Stuart was for TWEEN
ty years one of the many anomalies
and one of the few edifying conditions
that distinguished the social life of the
capital Newton Stuart was a news
paper ccrrespondent-nobod knew how
old. but the dean of the press gallery,
beloved and undisputed. Senator Har-
bne held a similar position in that ex
elusive, clublike organization known as
the United States senate. Old Newt
hailed from Louisiana and his senatori-
al friend was from Ohio, so that as far
as an exchange of official favors might
go there was no apparent reason for
their unfalterng affection for each 9th
err. Newt couldn't boost Harbine If
he wanted to and had never stopped to
accept patronage of any kind from the
Louisiana legislators who had come
ami gone during his long career as
Washington correspondent.
SO far as any outsider knew. there
were only three grounds for the mu-
tual admiration between Newt and the
old senator-viZ. fishing. terrapin and
mint julep. Outside of Washington
such paltry matters will probably never
be regarded as adequate motives for a
great and lasting friendship, but in
Washington the three delights named
are sometimes of vastcr moment than
the making of treaties or the establish
ment of national policies. Newt was
the champion terrapin chef of Wash
ington for generation Harbine's mint
juleps were the wonder and envy of all
Corners. Bartenders made their repu-
tations by advertising 1.-THE Iarbine
julep." and restaurants, cafes and hO-
tells won patronage by announcing ter
rapin la Newt Stuart"
But when it came to fishing neither
the senator nor the reporter would
yield the palm. For a dozen years they
had gone fishing together AS many
times had they come home in raging
debate as to which had caught the
greatest weight of fish, which had cast
fly or bait the farthest or which was
most deXterous In playing line. Fish
ing was the one rock upon which they
split necessarily, and once the subject
came up between them they would
rail and boast at one another till blows
seemed the only argument left. One
day Newt and the senator, sitting in a
circle of most potent grave and wor-
thy lawmakers at the Shoreham, chal-
lenged one another to a final test of
their prowess as bait casters. The idea
tickled the audience. though it was
midwinter. Cases of wine and boxes
of cigars were freely Wagered, and
finally each contestant went for rod
and tackle. and the whole party trudg-
ed through the snow across to Lafa-
yette square for the duel.
The distances were measured off A
dangling pine cone was selected as the
object to east at, and each contestant,
using his own rod and reel, was to
have five chances. the decision 10 go to
the caster who missed the least. 1t
was n walkover for the senator. for he
whipped his lily across the cone five
times successfully, while poor old
Newt missed his second shot and east
wide on the last. He paid the wager
and swore that 1t was the reel that
| beat him.
IL bet fifty can beat you right now
with that there gosh burned Meek reel
o yonrn'" sputtered Newt.
BIN the spUator said it was time for
a iulep. wagged his head in triumph
and led the party back to the hotel.
Il can beat you nj bait casting with
any kind Of reel" Newt used TO boast
after that "but that there Meek sizzler
you've got amt a reel at all; it's liv-
in. Greathin'. conscious piece o witch
craft
1t was about two months after this
that Newt iuTonched himself forever
In old Senator Hal'hiue's loving heart.
The latter'S So WIS the scourge of his
life. He had heru osf.lle1 from West
Point, dischare1 from half II dozen
government positions nd arrested a
dozen times. Finally let.er from Mrs.
Harbine came from Cincinnati an
nouncing that Dick had broke loose
there on a wild dehaucb that threat
ened to end disastrously for the young
man himself and for the fair name of
his fathers family.
Senator Harbine handed the letter to
old Newt.
Newt, you like my boy. know" he
growled. He thinks more o you than
he does O. his own father II you'll run
| down to Cincinnati and stop him, I'll
give or get you anything in reason.
I'm rich, and I'm strong with the ad-
! ministration. Honest now, Newt, |