The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1903-04-18

- AAA4AA-ASAA DSONA@e-- 49,
OF my successful career as a page boy,
for it attracted the personal attention
of the great Robert Toombs, of
Georgia, who became my firm and help
full friend.
Inside Of another week ] ascer-
tanned that one of the boys was
about to be taken OF, by his parents,
and 1 tackled the doorkeeper for the
place. He put me on with the story
that be.was under so many other OBJ
legations that he could not take care
of me. In great haste 1 reported to
Mr.. Toombs that the dOOrkeeper had
refused to keep his promise and give
me the first vacancy.
The devil you say, remarked the
statesman. I'll see for myself wheth-
er he puts you on or not Taking
me by the hand he led me to the
doOrkeeper's room, and said: Why
don't you put this boy on, - you
agreed to dol?
"'My dear Mr.. ToOmbs,' he replied,
4 cannot do It. 1 have made some
other promises that must first full
fn.'
:" The thunder you mustl' said Mr..
Toombs, most emphatically. You'll
either put this boy in, or I'll put you
out
"And that settled it. was appoint
ed, and from that day was a page
In the capitol until got so big that
I had no business there. And, until
the day Of his death, retained the
warm friendship Of the great states
man from Georgia; and, moreover, I
had the honor of his presence several
times after had achieved reputation
and success on the Stage"
One of the most interesting of the
hundreds of interesting reminis-
eenses Of this quondam page boy, is
the following:
'Ths first S25 that I ever made ex-
ira was well earned. Henry Cay's
compromise bill was taken up unex-
pectedIy and was about to be passed
when nearly all of the opponents
were absent. To kill time, some one
was put up to make q speech, while
the pages were sent hunting the alb
sentees. Mr.. Jeremiah Clemens, Of
Alabama, came to the house, and Of
fered SIS to any boy who would find
Senator Douglas, of Illinois. I had
lust come in from an errsnd,
and asked all Of the boys where they
had been. suggested half a dozen
places, but the boys had been there.
Finally I got an order for = horse,
secured a skinny old nag, and went
galloping up the avenue, a mile and
9 half away. Knocking at the door
tof q private residence, asked II Sen
ator Douglas was there, and was in
formed that he was. / said: Tell
him the Clay compromise bill will
pass unless he gets to the capitol and
prevents it.
"'Great heavensl' exclaimed Sen
ator Douglas, as he appeared in the
hallway. Let me have your horse
boy
81 started to walk back to the
capitol and had not gone far when
In was passed by Senator Douglas max
ing for the capitol as fast as the
animal could 60. It was one OF the
funniest things Ihave everSeen-thai
large man, with immense body and
little, short legs, riding down Penn
sylvania avenue, and sitting his aWk
ward mount in the most awkward
manner. I took my time walking
back 70 the capitol and received my
s25 for bringing the great Illinois
statesman into the debate on thai
compromise bin.
Il once had q great scare. You se'
the page boys were required TO d.
all sorts Of stunts in those days. Thu
. deposits Of members were kept in tn
Riggs bank, and was sent ther'
one day with an order for S2,00o. /
was given 70 me In two bags Of gOl'
loosely tied at the ends. stoPPe'
at q cigar shop, got Irvine and tie
. che bags tighter. Passing the Oh
I National hotel, the nag SHE'D. threv
/ me Of. and scattered the gold piece
IN every direction Longing whit
: men and negroes helped me find th
money, and never lost q singh
; piece. But was dreadfully scared
n q boy should have such en- aeei
J dent to-day. he'd lose an Of hi
J meney, anre.n SMITH D. Ply.