The Washington times., 1904-10-12
NIX. OLASTED NOT
BUTTERFLY SORT
Under Suspicion of His
Constituents.
HAD HIS DOG IN CHURCH
Not His Fault and He Is ExOneTated,
and Will Be Reelected
Representative.

Statesmen who come to be known as
.sbutterfy congressman" have a lot TO
explain 70 constituents when election
times comes round So. on principle.
they invariably keep mighty quiet just
before a district convention.
IT is hard enough TO get into such a
pcrpleXing position when one has really
had all the fun usually attributed 10
the butterfly crowd. But when a
dignided, stern-IOoking member is in
cluded I'm that class through no fault OF
his own. the case is actually appalling.
Almost beyond belief, therefore, was
the story that went the rounds recently
ia the Eighteenth Pennsylvania district.
about Representative NJ. l.. Olmsted,
Just before he succeeded in getting his
NTH nomination from that district. Mr..
Olmsfed has been in Congress so long
he IS now almost as much a Washing
tonian as a Harrisburger So the story
has a good deal OF local interest here.
Having proved most useful member
OF Congress, Mr.. Olmsted has come to
be regarded by his constituents as quite
the proper pattern for a statesman.
Still. as the nominating convention
came nearer and nearer, the cOnserva-
tive element kept a close watch on him.
20 make assurance doubly sure that his
popularity here had not spoiled him.
while secretly rejoicing that their own
estimate OF him as a good fellow" had
been so heartily Endorsed. The great
question Of whether he had been "A real
Woodworking member or just a but
terhy Congressman" had been fully set
tied in his favor and his denomination
was evidently assured
Constituents Alarmed.
Then came the sudden blow, that
temporarily shook the confidence Of
some OF the less resolute OF his sup
porters. II was a happening that seem
ed a bad-enough fad. but might there
not be Others7 Apprehension reigned.
Was the honorable member OF Con-
gress trying to establish a new fashion.
after some high-falutin notion Of the
Capital? The news spread far and wide
that ne had created a great sensation
by taking his pet dog TO church with
him. right into his pew In the sacred
edihCe
Inquiry proved the story true. Just
as the professional hymn was begun
Representative Olmsted walked brisklv
up the aisle. Mrs Olmsted and her two
children had already taken places in
the pew and the Representative had
hurried from MS home 10 join them be-
fore the service began. In his haste he
did not notice that his favorite dag was
following him.
Pet Attracts Attention.
Straight up the aisle 10 hts pew. wen
in front walked the dignided legislator.
with the pet pranctng at his coatrails.
joyful at the supposed dispensation
which allowed him 20 attend the services.
Mr.. Olmsted sat down without noticing
the dogs presence, while the animal
climbed with his forefeet upon the pew
behind and proceeded 20 size up the
congregation.
Some one tapped Mr.. Olmsted on the
shoulder and told him Of the dogs
presence. The amazed member Of Con
gTess started 20 the door, reckoning the
animal 10 follow. but the collie by that
time had become absorbed in the sing
ing Of the choir and was looking the
other way.
The dog continued HIS dev0tions until
one OF the children led him down the
aisle BY the ear into the street AND
ordered him home. Then Mr. Olmsted
gave a sigh OF relief suppressed an
inCpienr smile, and devoted himself TO
the church service.
Constituents promptly treasured them
admired Representative was entirely In
nocent OF any intention. TO force any
high society 1imcracks' on them, and
his election seems as sure as was his
nomination for a fifth term.