The Washington herald., 1908-05-31

Rockville, Md. May Civilian ".
Russell. United States Minister to Vene-
zuela, now in this country on a vacation.
was reared by his aunt the late Miss
Marry Russell, whose home was on the
site OF a historic building in this place
known as the old Hungerford Tavern.
which in the early days OF the republic
Is said 10 have numbered among its
guests political celebrities Of no less re-
nown than Washington, Jefferson, Web
ster, Clay. Calhoun, and other statesmen
Of worldwide reputation. A portion OF
the ancient tavern still stands, and forms
a wing Of the Russell homestead. which
is now unoccupied and offered for sale.
Pete" Russell, as he was famniarly
called. attended the Rockville Academy,
and later entered the Naval Academy. at
Annapolis. He was one Of the most mis-
chievous and rollicking youngsters that
ever placed pin points upward in his
teachers chaire or stuffed the stovepipe
full OF waste in order 10 III the school
room with smoke and precipitate a holt
day until the trouble could be located
and the proper remedy applied.
Before young Russell had reached his
majority, and while at home from the
Naval Academy one summer on a fur
Tough, he took II into his resourcefuI
nOddle to run away and become a tramp.
Joining a young printer named Frank
DOugherty, who had been working on the
Rockville Sentinel, and was accustomed
to making periodical tours through the
country, the pair bundled up a change
Of underwear, procured a meager lunch
con and a disOrdered pistol. and quietly
footed II out Of town about o'clock In
the evening. taking a road that led to-
ward the West. A couple OF miles out
Of town. they sat down by the wayside
and devoured their scanty luncheon, after
which Russell complained Of being weary,
and they went TO bed in a convenient
cornfield. Their repose was soon dis
turbed by myriads OF gnats and mosqdi-
tos, and they determined TO press for
ward on their undetermined journey.
At 10 o'clock the following morning they
pulled up at a store on the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal near Edwards Ferry.
which was conducted by a young man
named Spates. with whom they were
acquainted. Resting here until noon, they
started up the towpath with young Spates
TO go to his fathers farm house for din
ner. While walking briskly along Russell
was relating to Spates the Incidents OF
the nights journey from Rockville.
Dougherty. who. Ike most tramp printers
Of that day, was always hungry. was
hurrying onward a short distance in the
lead. Drawing the rusty pistol from his
pocket. Russell proceeded to demonstrate
to Spates the manner IN which he carried
it in his hand by way Of protection from
attack by highwaymen. 1T IS a dandy
shooter" he explained; only sometimes
II won't stand cooked"
Holding the muzzle In the direction OF
DOugherty's coat tail, he pulled back the
hammer of the treacherous weapon The
moment his thumb released It the printer
bounded In the afr with a whoop like
that OF a wounded Comanche. I'm
shotT' he shouted. as he quickened his
pace IN the direction OF the dinner table,
Hold on cried Russell; you'll die Il
you keep going like that" Il can't stoI
now" walled the wounded man. "Oh
Lordy. but I'm hungry"
| When the Spates home was reached. q
bullet hole was found through the tai
Of Dougherty's coat. The leaden pellet
had passed through the outer apparel and
being partly arrested BY the folds OF ar