Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-02

staggered under the blow Of an inspiration:
Now Mr.. Bryan" he began, exclusive
of persons and politics. what subject do
you care most to discuss?'
The mobile face was solemn for an IN
slant, then gradually expanded into
smile as Mr.. Bryan gave mock air OF
seriousness to the weighty subject. Then
he spoke:
Wanted Roastin' Ear.
"I'd kind of like to talk about roastin'
ears" he said. when you exclude per-
sons and politics can think of no pleas
anter subject just now than corn on the
cob. A fellow travelling through Europe
misses this luxury and he Is willing to part
with all the frills and furbelows Of the
French chef just to set tooth into good
old roastin' ear. 1t is especially hard on
fellow coming from the corn belt"
Mr.. Bryan was assured that the corn
crop was humping one this year and
seemed immensely pleased.
II found some corn down in southern
Switzerland" he added.
How did that come about?'
We'll, there was an American living
there! And he raised it as best as he
could. We also found little in northern
Tell us about the donkey" some one
suggested This recalled the story pub
lished when young William Jennings
Bryan, jr.. returned recently from abroad
father had fallen off a donkey's back dur
ing his stay in the Philippines, and, had
exclaimed II made the third time he had
been thrown by donkey.
mo. there was nothing in that" replied
the Commoner, smiling broadly: but there
was a donkey story over in China. 1t was
at Marking and we were going out to have
look at some ancient tombs. There was
no other way to travel than on donkey
back They were little fellows. all of them.
and mine seemed to be the smallest OF all,
although was the heaviest person in the
party. 1 looked at the donkey for WHILE
and he sized me up with look OF deep
concern In his eyes. Finally l was urged
aboard. and we made out first rate. That
little donkey travelled along at good speed.
We got to the tombs all right and every
thing was going well till. on the return
journey, we happened to pass another group
of burros. Then that fellow of mine lifted
up his voice and told his friends the great
est tale of woe that ever donkey unfolded.
He went over every mile or the journey In
loud voiced lamentation.
But he wasn't democratic donkey.
Don't say that!'
The Commoner on Loudoun.
After spending Wednesday night on board
the yacht Illini, Mr.. Bryan on Thursday
morning was transferred to Lewis Nixon's
palatial house boat, the Loudoun, named
for old Loudoun county in Virginia, where
Mr. Nixon was born. The newspaper men
born and reared around New York had an
awfully hard time getting the name straight
in their minds and pronounced IT all the
way from London" to Low down." The
Loudoun Is beautiful boat, with an upper
deck, canopy-covered, that is q JOY for
ever to the fortunate owner. Beautiful
rugs. comfortable settees and great arm
chairs are scattered over the deck.
Mr.. Bryan was just preparing to make
himself comfortable Thursday morning
| when the newspaper men boarded the craft.
Mr.. Nixon was a hospitable host and Mr..
| Bryan an entertaining talker. The Nebras-
| kan sat surrounded by the news writers for
an hour or more. He was the soul of good
| humor and turned aside the most startling
| questions with a dizziness and good spirit
| that made everybody happy that he hadn't
| taken the pains to answer.
Mr.. Bryan has lost none OF the old-time
personal magnetism that so often has been
| In evidence during his campaigns or when
| fighting before convention.
One cub reporter who was among those
| on the Loudoun became so enthusiastic that
| he blurted out while Mr.. Bryan was telling
| a story:
IT was too young to vote in 1896 and 1900
| Mr. Bryan, but / won't be too young In
| 1905, and I'm going to vote for you.'
A Sight for Sore Eyes.
At noon the newspaper men went ashore
| to send their stories by wire to the city.
| The Loudoun was anchored on the Ocean
Yacht Clubs pier at Stapieton Staten
/ Island. not far from where the naval yes
sells OF the Atlantic feet have their anchor