Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-05-06

newspaper man.
"Well I started up there with Gen
eral Lee once" responded Langdon
reminiscently, "but we changed our
minds and came back. You may have
heard about that trip"
Haines admitted that he had.
'Slnce that time" went on Lang
don, 1--WE confined my travels to New
Orleans and vicksburg. Ever been in
New Orleans about Mardi Cras time,
Mr.. Hainesy
Sorry, but don't believe I have"
confessed the reporter reluctantly.
The senator seemed surprised.
'Well. sir. you have something to
live for. I'll make It my special bust
ness to personally conduct you through
one Mnrdi Gras, with special under
standing, Of course. that you don't
print anything in the paper. I'm q
vcstryman In my church, but since
misfortune has come upon our state
have to be careful"
Haincs searched his brain. He knew
Of no grave calamity that had hap
pened recently in Mississippi
"Misfortune:" he questioned.
Senator Langdon nodded
Eyes, sir. the great old state Of Mis-
sssippi went prohibition ut the last
election. | don't know how II hap
pened. We haven't found anybody In
the state that says he voted for it. but
the fact Is a fact. I assure you. Mr..
Hanes. that prohibition stops at my
front door. in Mississippi. So I've been
living quiet life down on my planta-
ton"
This new life will he great change
for you, them" suggested the reporter.
Change! It's revolutionary, sir.
When you've expected to spend your
old days peacefully in the country,
Mr.. Haines. suddenly to find that your
state has called on you
A favor of sarcasm came into
Haines' reply.
THE Office seeking the man." He
could not help the slight sheer. Was
q man never to admit that he had
sought the Office? Haines knew only
too well Of the arduous work neces-
sary to secure nominations for high Of
fee in conventions and to win an cleo
ton to the senate from a state legis-
lature. In almost every case, he knew,
the candidate must make dozen diff
ferent deals to secure votes. might
promise the same Office to two or three
different leaders. force others into line
by threats, send a trusted agent to an
other with q roll Of bank bils-the re-
cipient Of which would Immediately
conclude that this candidate was the
only man IN the state who could save
the nation from destruction. Had not
Haines seen men who had sold their
unsuspecting delegates for cash to the
highest bidder rise in the convention
hall and in impassioned. dramatic
voice exclaim In praise Of the buyer,
Gentlemen, 1t would be 4 crying
shame. q crime against civilization. II
the chosen representatives Of our
grand old state Of - did not 60 on
record In favor Of such a man, such q
true citizen, such an inspired patriot,
as he whose name am about to men,
ton" So the reporter may be forgiv.
en- for the ironical tinge In his hasty
interruption Of the new senator's re-
marks.
Langdon could not suppress a chuc-
kle at the doubling note in Haines' at
titude.
II think the man would be pretty
small potatoes who wouldn't seek the
office of United States senator. Mr..
Halnes," he said, III he could get it.
When was young man. sir, politics
in the south was career for a gentle
man. and l still can't see how he could
be better engaged than in the service
Of his state or his country"
That's right" agreed the reporter.
further impressed by the frank sincer1r
ty of the Mississippan.
THE only condition in my mind. Mr..
Haines, is that the man should ask
himself search!ngly whether or not
he's competent to give the service.
But seem to be talking good deal.
Suppose We get TO the interview. Ex-
pect your time is short. We'd better
begin"
II thought we were in the inter-
view" smiled the correspondent.
I'm It," exclaimed Langdon. We'll.
il this is it. It isn't so bad. ! see you
use a painless method. When l was
down In Vicksburg reporter backed
me up in corner. slipped his hand in
his hip pocket and pulled out list OF
questions just three feet four inches
long
HE wanted to know what thought
concerning the tariff on aluminium by
drates and how stood about the open
ing Of the Tento Pu reservation of the
Comanche Indians. and what were my
ideas about the differential rate Of
hauls from the Missouri river.
'Ee was q wonder. that fellow.
Kinder out of place on a Mississippi
paper. started to offer him a Job.
but he was SO proud was afraid he
wouldn't accept 1t. However. 1t gives
you my idea Of reporter"
III you've been against that, ought
to thank you for talking to me-" laugh
ed Haines.
Then you don't want to know any
thing about that sort of stuff said
Langdon. with hugh sigh OF relief
mo. senator" was the amused re-
ply. Il think generally il know what
sort Of a man a man is l can tell
great deal about what he will think
on various questions"