Gardnerville record. (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1898-1902, 1901-06-21

Pine Sticks-His QuItclai,A Deed to
Land.
General Sam Houston of Texas was
the most picturesque figure In the SEN
ale during my first years of service at
the capitol. Like Benton, he was very
fond of young men and soon came to
count me as zone of his boys" Only
those who were youngsters In the for
ties can realize the interest people felt
In Houston In the days when his part
in the struggle for the Independence Of
Texas was still fresh In the public
mind. Visitors to the senate chamber
Invariably asked to have him pointed
out to them, and they were never dis
appointed in their hero, for he was
large OF frame. Of stately carriage and
dignified demeanor and had lonlike
countenance.
Always unconventional IN dress. he
would now and then appear at the cap
itol wearing vast and snowy sombre-
ro and Mexican blanket, a sort Of or
nameDtal bedquilt with slit In the
middle through which the wearers
head was thrust, leaving the blanket to
hang In folds around the body. His
prlncipal employment In the senate
was whiting pine sticks. of which he
seemed To have an unlimited supply. 1t
was only at rare intervals that he
broke silence, but when he did speak
he always proved himself capable of
contributing his quota OF sound and
patriotic advice to the deliberations of
the senate.
No passage In Houston's career was
nobler than the heroic stand against
disunon which marked Its close, while
Of his kindliDess OF nature and gener-
ons helpfulness to those in distress one
could recall stories sufficient 10 I'LL a
volume.
Near Quincy, Ills, there was a
stretch OF country known as the EN-
dian tract" to which Houston held IT,
tie. fact many OF the settlers thereon,
careless pioneer brood. failed TO
search out. One Of them called upon
~
OF the house from the Quincy district
and subsequently senator from his
state. and asked II he knew Houston.
Richardson said he did. whereupon his
visitor confided to him that ho had In
adyerteni!y settled upon 100 acres OF
Honston's land and that all he was
worth stood In improvements on II. He
wanted Richardson TO see Houston and
make the best terms that he could.
Richardson upon his return TO Wash.
lngton told Houston the story and ask
ed what he would take for qutclaim
deed to the 100 acres.
What sort Of a man ls this constitu-
ent of yours who has blundered upon
my landy' asked Houston.
"A good, square, honest man." was
the reply.
when | turn him of my land, !
reckon he and his family will be beg.
earsY'
Richardson nodded.
"What's this farm worth now" ask.
ed Houston.
improvements aud all about $4,000. ..
was the response.
What was the bare place worth
when you fellows went on ity' queried
Houston.
About 50 an acre; $500 in ALL" an
swered Richardson.
Good fellow, this man OF yours.
RichardsonT' this after moments
thought.
Best I'm the world" said Richardson.
Tell him to send me $500, and I'll
make him deed"
In due time the $500 reached Wash.
ington I'm the shape of a New York
draft. Richardson sought Houston.
Who having executed deed, took the
draft and indorsed II.
you say this man of yours Is IA good
fellowT he asked thoughtfully.
Couldn't be better one" was the
emphatic answer.
"Send him back this draft and tell
him Sam Houston has changed his
mind. What can you buy n good sad.
die horse for out In that countryT" lie
was told that 5000 would do 1t. "Well,
then" said Houston, write to your
friend and tell Ibim TO buy first class
saddle horse about 4 years old and
keep him for me. When congress ad.
journs. will so home with you and
ride the horse down to Texas"
Without delay the man in Illinois re-
eeiyed back his draft and bought sad
die horse. the best he could find. just
before adjournment Houston sought
Richardson. You say the fellow who's
got my horse Is tiptop good MANI"
Richardson again declared him one of
the best In his district. WELL" said
Houston. with sigh, Il Should have
liked first rate to see him and also my
horse, but as affairs turn out must 20
straight TO Texas. When you get home.
go over and see this man and tell him
to sell the horse aud do what he
pleases with the money. And, by the
way, Richardson, wish you would
write and tell me II II was good horse
or not" Personal Recollections Of Ga.
lusha A. Grow as Related to Rufus
Rock well Wilson In Saturday Evening
Post.
The intense dryncss Of ahe South At
riean air Is very destructive of leather
Hence boots soon wear out.