The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-11-14
'CAP'N' ARLINGTON
For Thirty-Five Years
Beloved Marlboro Oracle.
A Man of Gentle Ways and Quaint and
Sympathetic Philosophy is Dead.
Is Missed Over the Whole
State.

The death of Capn Tom Arlington
removes from the State man who
had both an acquaintance and a cir
Gle of friends big enough TO discour-
age the most versatile of politicians.
Through a long life-he was 70 when
he died-he had added to the one and
made the other. Very probably the
reason why Cap'n. Tom had so many
friends was that it was perfectly APP
parent that he had no designs. Cap'n.
Tom was a practical philosopher. His
motto was: Keep out of trouble: go
easy: agree with everybody when you
can and when you can't disagree with
a joke. In consequence everybody
liked Cap'n tom and if Cap'n. Tom
cherished any animosities nobody ever
found it out. He was intimate with
the world. counsellor of the oppress-
ed and discourd~er and monitor TO
those who felt their oats.
tiunS back at ease in his big chair
in lhe Marlborough lobby. Cap'n. Tom
was the accommodation of the fesson
tiiat his discourse instinctively taught,
tntJ II was q poor thing to go back On
lie and that experience in the end 60
gave the percentage TO the chances
that everybody had u square deal.
This habit of philosophy-Cap'n
Tom was never so pedantic as TO come
right out and preach-WaS personal
WITH Cap'n Tom. 1t was taught by
contact. Strangely enough it carried
with it encouragement along with res
ignation. One could use the prescrip-
ton that he needed. Capn. Tom was
an impartial oracle. He sat in the no.
tel office and held his court. for those
that came to him. He never sought
Tic- N.iE CnHnlGa
thing more than innate; it was the re-
suit of his recognized primacy.
Cap'n. Tom was a man of jokes. He
dealt in humor. A funny thing touch
cd him to the quick. yet he handled
il like a humorist. 1t was rare that
he laughed aloud. and never at his
own Jokes. He knew how to listen.
When he essayed story it always had
Il point and he never flew above the
head Of an auditor. Cap'n. Tom knew
his public and played TO them as he
would. The public liked his enter
tainment. He was both kind and in
structive. He was the grave of secrets
and the newspaper of harmless fun.
For many years. the average arrival
at the Marlborough house threw down
his grip before the desk and asked in
Il breath. How is CaD'n. Tom 2"
~ostly. he was very well. He be-sat
his chair as became an old and priv
LEGGED uNelltf Ill the IdHN. Tie iOoh
his air with grace and dignity. Chill
dren and docs knew him. as we'll as
men. The negroes on the street lifted
their hats as he ~aSSed. He was one
of those men who touch the world be-
cause they are but transiently of its
hubbub Cap'n. Tom was Il man OF
peace. He deplOred a lack of order.
mentally or otherwise. He was the
expression of patience and good cheer.
Who vas Cap'n. Tom? 1t seems a
strange remark and yet it was asked
on the streets yesterday. 1t shows that
this is an age of which he is we'll quit.
Two years ago the world knew him.
Today. he will be a "Reminiscences to
many n meaningless piece of history
to more. Yet Cam. Tom i'm his easy
seat whiting the hotel lobby. has saw
ed more than one life. has put cheer
into hundreds of hearts for a long
season was as a fixture in the life of
the city Only recently they have
been coming to the hotel and asking
for Cap'n. Tom and looking sadly and