The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-08

expected times and places He sang on
the floor Of the House at one time after
the adjournment OF Congress. and he
often sang for his friends after a good
dinner. and the songs he loved best were
Scotch songs-for what Scotchman born
ever thought that any other songs could
compare TO the ditties OF the Highlands?
Good story Teller.
Gen. Henderson loved a good story. too.
and he could spin as interesting a yarn
as ever was spun. His best stories we're
OF the war. where he fought CALAMITY
and lost leg in the fighting. The writer
remembers a story he used 10 tell which
invariably brought tears 70 the eyes OF
his listeners. Il was OF a poor fellow
IN his command who was shot through
the lungs by the explosion Of his gun.
which he was in the act OF loading, and
fell, cursing and shrieking. TO the ground.
The wound was, OF course. mortal. so
instead OF q surgeon the chaplain was
brought 10 comfort his last moments and
prepare him for speedy death. But It
was the preparation for the next world.
not giving comfort. that most appealed
to the chaplain, who knelt by the poor
suffering victim, exhorting him 10 stop
cursing and devote HIS last moments 70
prayer. lest he be eternally damned But
the dying soldier continued TO rend the
air with terrible oaths until Gen Hen
derson happened that way and took the
place OF the perfunetory dominic.
you are a brave fellow. nv boy" he
said, laying his strong. firm hand on the
poor writhing figure; "a brave fellow
Just as great a hero as though you died
at the front. shot down by the enemy's
bullets. You have given your lie for
your country, my boy; nObly given II,
and your country will be grateful Let
that console you. Grit your teeth and
die like a brave soldier, like the hero
that you are"
rs that true. colonel? Is that true?"
gasped the dying boy Am I dying for
my country? God bless you for those
words OF comfort. sir" and smiling CRATE
fully the poor fellow fell back on his pill
lows and in a few moments crossed the
bar, still! smiling. with the generals
strong hand sustaining him.
Uen- hendtESon FopuAars
Gen. Henderson was a much more popu-
lar man than Reed. He was naturally
gentle, suave, responsive, sympathetic,
and dreaded TO hurt any ones feelings.
while Reed was often blunt and always
positive and arbitrary. Not every one
liked him. yet every one admired his
cleverness and his brilliancy. In the lat
TO- Il
predecessors, and more amusing stories
can be told and more epigrams quoted Of
Mr.. Reed than OF any other man who
ever welded the gavel.
Whether right or wrong, Mr.. Reed al
ways had his own way with the House.
and the drollness that sometimes marked
his way of getting II invariably excited
laugh and removed the sting OF defeat
from those who opposed him. Mr. Nc
Creary. OF Kentucky, amid a scene Of
general confusion, once questioned the
Speakers right to count him present. I
deny your right. Mr.. Speaker he shout
ed above the din of strident voices, to
count me present
The Chair is merely making the state
ment that the gentleman from Kentucky
is present" replied Mr.. Reed Does he
deny it?''
Another interesting story OF repartee:
Reed was making stump speeches in the
woods Of Maine to show the effect the
Wilson tariff bill had on sheep farming
You have 5000 sheep" he announced
to the sheep farmers, and you get 70
cents pound for your wool"
You are wrong there, Biddy" inter
rupted one Of the audience, I'VE only get
10 cents"
Well shouted back Mr.. Reed. you