Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-05
Montgomery County Politi-
clan Gives the Glad Hand.
HUNTING FOR VOTES
BUT THE MAN HE MET WAS A
PERFECT STRANGER.
He Hailed From Chicago and Had
Never Been in Kensington Be-
fore in His Life.

The political glad hand is being gener-
ously extended in Montgomery county. Pol
itfcians of all sizes, hues and previous con-
ditions of servitude are patting the al
mighty voter on the back and assuring
him that the proper administration of the
affairs of Maryland depends upon his par
ticular ballot. In the vote-grabbing con-
test there are entered one or two men we'll
known in Washington, and thereby hangs
this most interesting tale.
A prominent physician of Chicago was
called hurriedly to Washington the other
day because Of the serious illness of his
wife. The wife was visiting out Chevy
Chase way, and thence the doctor hied
himself Medicine was needed, and the doc
tor was sent to Kensington to procure it.
Scarcely had he disembarked at this pros
porous suburb when he was signalled by a
tall, cumbersome gentleman In a mud
despatched buggy.
A Warm Greeting.
How are you? How are you?" came
from the man in the rig. The doctor rub
bered around to see for whom the greeting
was intended. But no one else was in the
vicinity.
Glad to see you, old man." continued
the tall man in the buggy. Il never saw
family?"
By this time the talkative gent had
emerged from the wagon and was approach
ing the bewfldered physician with his right
paw extended. Now be it remembered this
particular doctor lives in Chicago where
hold-ups are ordinary everyday affairs. and
furthermore, he is a special policeman in
the Windy City, which entities him to car
ry as much of an arsenal as his frame can
stand. In this instance he left town in a
hurry, and brought a double-action forty
five in his hind pocket He had heard a
great deal of car barn bandits, modern
Bluebeards and the like. and after scrutiniz-
ing the gigantic physique of the man who
had accosted him, he came to the conclu-
sion that it was case Of money or your
life
forty-five.
You are looking fine, old man." resumed
the gent with the proclivity for words. Il
have seen you dozens of times in the last
quainted. You know out In the country
everybody should know everybody else. 1
was coming over to call on you a month
ago, but circumstances prevented. How
are you, anyway?'
With this the talkative person grasped
the hand of the trembling stranger. whose
fear of hold-up had given place to a
suspicion of a confidence game. The man
from the west commented to himself upon
green goods men, and admitted inwardly
that he had heard of the country gent
while seeing the city being approached by
the man who knows his family" and SUBJ
sequently relieved Of his ready cash. He
could not remember, however Of any in
stance where a city person had been bun
coed In the country. The proposition was
strange, but the doctor thought 1t might be
the way Of the east.
Had Made Mistake.
I'm glad to shake hands with you" as
scented the doctor. but you must have
made a mistake. You have never seen me
before"
"Oh, yes I have" returned the country
man. Many times. l have heard my
friends speak of you, too. You must know
me. Everybody in Montgomery county
Cummings. I divide my time between base
ball and>politics and at the present time
am on the long chase after votes. I am a
candidate for the house of delegates. you
know. And by the way, l want your sup
port"
The doctor realized the situation. and he
INDUCED in broad and happy smile. And
to Cy he said:
well, l am glad to have met you. My
name is Schalek and l landed in Kensng-
ton for the first time in my life. just ten
minutes ago. Until I reached Washington
two hours ago. l had never been south Of
New York, and for fifteen years l have
not been east of Chicago. So 1 guess you
must have made mistake. Good day.
Cy Is said to have grumbled something
about hard luck" and admitted he had
flyer of the 100 to l brand, but the hand
of fate against him. and now his
friends are giving him the merry ha! ha