Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-21

| attempted to run away. Young Fairbanks
| handled the reins so skilfully that the
| frightened animals were kept on the road
| although going al a terrific pace.
To make things worse, a chain in the
rear of the wagon became loose and its
clatter further terrorized the horses Other
vehicles on the road were hastily pulled
/ out of the way and their occupants gazed
! in horror, expecting to see Farmer Fair
| banks team and his two young sons. perch
| ed up on high seat. hurled to destruction.
But Charles, with a courage and skill
| worthy Of a Hank Monk. guided his steeds
along the rough country road until they
were exhausted and Gained down. The
| GOODNESS exhibited by the future senator
when a baby had this time saved his own
| life and that of his brother.
The event of his boyhood which is most
| firmly fixed in the senator's mind, and
! which he recalls with the greatest pleasure,
i was when his uncle presented him with a
| fine Misunderstanding rifle, which Is still re-
tanned and sometimes used by the distin-
guished statesman. Young Fairbanks was
not yet twelve years old when this much
coveted firearm was given him. 1t is a
heavy rifle and was considerable of a load
| for lad of his age. His muscles, how
ever were well developed by farm work,
and he soon acquired the knack or hand-
ling the gun with ease. He practiced con-
stantIy and became one of the best shots
in the neighborhood.
Charles Fairbanks Trusty Rifle.
When a boy Mr.. Fairbanks developed an
intense fondness for out-of-door sports. but
none of them was more attractive than
hunting with his rife. He was a sure shot
within the range of his gun. and his favor
ite recreation was hunting squirrels. He
became so expert that he could bark a
suuirrel--that is, send bullet so near the
SQUIRRELS head that the little animal would
he stunned by the shock and killed by the
fall to the ground without the skin being
broken.
Shortly after he came in possession of the
rifle he met with an accident While drlv-
ing his fathers cows home from pasture
a stampede occurred, and he was thrown
against a partly opened gate and his arm
broken. Even while carrying his arm In
a sling he would not part company with ms
rifle but managed with his sound arm and
an occasional rest to bring down squirrels
and rabbits Nowadays. when the senator
visits his old home in Ohio. where his aged
mother lives. he will occasionally snow the
farmer boys in the nelghborhood some
fancy shooting with his oio muzzie-ioauihe
Kentucky rifle.
The senator did not miss many OF the
pleasures of boyhood, and he has not LOST
his keen zest for country sports, despite the
fact that he has been pictured as the en-
hodiment of dignity. He was a good stu
dent but a genuine boy. He did not care
much for fishing, but the creeks and ponds
near his old home afforded MIN oehgnlIul
recrea tion in swimming and diving. Some
times. as he sits in the Senate during a
long, dreary debate. dreamy. reminlscent
look will come into his eyes and a smile
across his face as he thinks OF certain
shady pool out in old Union county where
he played hockey more than once for
the sake of a cool dip.
One of these stolen joys he recollects we'll
He and two or three of his schoolmates
oyerstayed their noon hour. ENJOYING tnem-
selves in the cool waters of the creek
when they finally arrived at the school
house the tell-tale damp on their hair In
vtnY
Thev were brought out on the school house
finor and underwent a thorough. good. old
ia shioned flogging that was then the stand
ard of school discipline.
His College Career.
Although owning an extensive farm' sen
ator Fairbanks father was by no means
wealthy man, and Charles. being the Oldest
Of the children, felt that 1t was his duty to
contribute as much as possible to his own
support and education. At the age of thir-
teen he went to Columbus to attend an