New-York tribune., 1908-09-20

ana his diet. day in and day out being limited to
cornmeal mush and potatoes. But in those Gays
one could buy lot OF mush and potatoes for
shilling The first time saw Harlan was
in the act OF putting my trousers. having just
forded a river. I had been planting sod corn for d
farmer-chopping holes in the upturned 500 Win an
axe. then dropping in the seed and covering II
overland felt rather important. In my pocket was
the equivalent of 81 70. the wages Of seven long
days In the sun but It was decidedly mixed. there
being silver coins, recollect. of three NATIONS
Spain. France and the United States Harlan was
riding I'm buggy with doctor. AT their invita-
ton climbed in behind. and sat where the o'c'oi
usually carries his pill bag. Then began 10 count
and Jingle my money. Harlan looked back ana
said NY boy you will never again feel so rich as
you do this minute He right about IL. Inc
acquaintance thus begun grew into an intimate
friendship that lasted long as he lived
II have been thinking of Harlan many times
lately" Colonel Hepburn continued espeoahy
since the death of Allison He had served III the
United States Senate with distinction. put was
beaten by Allison in 1873 The most eneetNe ar
gument against him concerned his advanced age
He was ffty-two years old, A few months ago Mr.
Allison was candidate before the people of Iowa
for his seventh Senatorial term He was success
full though twenty-seven years older than was
Harlan when retired from public life on the srouhd
that he was too cid TO be of practical use TO the
people 7 have wondered if Allison in his last DAYS
Ian Well Harlan talked education in Iowa. and
the Mechanics Academy was of the results OF
his missionary Iabors attended 1t for three
months during each of three winters My SUNDAY
school teacher a printer He let me reao MS
books and then when fourteen years old.
ners,,sded me 10 learn his trade. 7 Journey
man in three years. and was earning $40 week.
BY and by I purposed 20 own a newspaper. but my
mother actually compelled me TO be lawyer.
studied for a considerable time in Chicago. where
was janitor and bookkeeper for my preceptcrs at
$50 a month
.,T;,e county clerk At Iowa city having gone into
business he gave me the fees. about SO year.
for running his office. Then was married AS the
bar at Iowa City was unusually strong. decided
to move to Marshalltovn where really began my
practice Some land which had entered was sold
for $500 1 built q little house with the money
After we nsred into it. Mrs. Hepburn and myself
nailed the lath.
How did you get into the army I asked
4 raised a company OF cavalry in 1851, resisnns
the office of District Attorney TO be a soldier. 1
got 12S men together. mostly OF farmers. and
we rode away on our own horses We had neither
arms uniforms and only seven saddles in the
company. We used rope halters for brides. The
people fed us. and let us sleep in their barns and
under their hay stacks We were drilled at Daven-
port and in ST. Louis. In due time my farm boys
became excellent soldiers
You rose" / said. Ito he lieutenant colonel Of
cavalry and once commanded brigade Did you
ever serve under Sheridan
Il was with him in his first fight Indeed, ac-
companie1 him the camp of the I'd Michigan.
after he had been commissioned as its colonel, and
introduced him to the officers. I joined his staff
later He was the greatest soldier of his day. and
in my opinion would have been in command of all
the armies had the war lasted two years longer
You have spent twenty-five years in Congress,
with what result TO yourself?'
Little as to money. If that is what you mean.
Yet we have always lived within our salary and
have saved something. However. we have kept out
of society"
AT seventy-fve years of age" said. you are
active n vigorous in mind and body Have you
followed any special rules of living?'
Not consciously. l have always eaten the food
liked but in moderation. Until recently walked
every day; have an old horse, and ride in the
evening. 1 could think and work while walked.
and so I time. The habit Of thinking in the
roar of the street and the confusion OF session of
the House formed in peculiar way. III not
name the place approximate the period. but
went to church 104 times q year out in Iowa and
listened TO the biggest goose that ever stood in
civilized pulpit. We'll, after he would read his text
/ would preach my own sermon. and his subse-
quent noises unheard until he shut his Bible
and announced the closing hymn. He did me
great service
rs human nature undergoing any change for the
better?'
Surely. selfshness is gradually giving ground
to kindliness. 1 observe 1t on every hand. Morals
are better, too / have seen half a dozen members
Of the House drunk in their seats at the same ses-
sion. No respectable gets drunk nowadays
HAS oratory lost its power?
y es when exercised within a situation con-
trolled by money. 1 knew who never said
word in Congress. He rich, having gold
mine and profitable manufacturing business
Every evening two three of the influential
members OF the House would ride home with him
for dinner. lie got everything he wanted-new fed
eral Judges. $3.0ONOo0 for federal building, and
benefits galore for his district
Meanwhile, oratory. pounding the desks and
walking the aisles, got nothing
Copyright. 1908 by James B. Morrow