Evening journal., 1911-06-16
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Sly Fun That William
M. EVartS Had With a
Learned Scientist
By sHoIIand.n

81 have been told many very inter-
esting anecdotes about William M.
Evarts, but do not know any anecdote
which illustrates the keen wit and the
humor which were so prominent
among the many characteristics Of
Mr.. Evarts that compares with an in
cldent which came under my own OBJ
servation," said General Charles S.
Fairchid, who was Secretary of the
Treasury in the latter half Of Presi-
dent Clevelands first administration.
II was a guest at dinner which
was given in 1888. when Mr. Evarts
was still in the Senate, by a very
prominent public official at Washing
ton II was, in the character of the
men who we're gathered around the
table. perhaps as brilliant dinner IS
any in which / participated while I
was .member Of Mr. Cleveland's ad-
ministration Senator Evarts was one
Of the most distinguished Of the guests
present, and, as usual at a dinner
which Mr.. Evarts graced with his
presence, the best of good fellowship
and a true feast of reason, and humor.
and wit were the experience of the
guests.
There happened TO be at this dinner
a man Of great achievement as a scien-
tist He was, however. good deal of a
dry-as-dust, and he seemed TO be dis
posed to inject science into the con-
versation, or to apply his own par
ticular knowledge to every statement
which was made After q while. the
persistenoy of this scientific gentle
man palled a little upon the guests, al
though he himself seemed 10 be un-
aware of that fact Not even the host,
Notwithstanding his perfect courtesy,
was able fully TO conceal his annoy
anoe at these learned and scientific in
terpolations.
AT last, Senator Evarts, who had
been. apparently, q patient and earnest
listener, addressed the man of science,
saying
7 have been much interested. Pro
fessor, in what you have said: and II
may be able TO explain a curious law
Of nature. which I, myself, have never
been able 10 explain or to find anyone
who could explain.
! should be delighted, said the
professor, What is it,?
Having attracted the attention of
the entire company in this way, Sen
ator Evarts took from the cooler by his
side a champagne bottle which con-
tanned perhaps q third of its original
contents. He placed the bottle upon
the table.
Professor he said. I wish you
would explain to us why II is that, In
the lower part Of any bottle contain-
ing spirituous liquors the greater
strength is to be found. In other
words. why the upper half Of a bottle
of champagne seems TO be less stimu-
| lating than the lower half
The professor looked auizzically al
the bottle of champagne few minutes
That is. indeed.a very interest
ing question; I never had it called tc
my attention before, he said. at last
i cannot at this moment offer more
] than q surmise I'm the way of ex-
| planation; but 7 shall be happy tc
]
first. to establish the fact as you
state it, and, second, to discover the
reason
Well, said Senator Evarts, Z
thing my own experience may aid you
in establishing the accuracy of the
fact. but. as I am not learned In any
of the sciences, | am utterly at loss as
to the explanation
What, then. has been your expert
enoe?' the professor asked.
I can state it in a few words. Pro.
| fessor,' said Mr.. Evarts 4 have upon
many occasions observed that the first
or upper half of bottle of champagne
or other spirituous liquor did not be-
gin to have the stimulating effect upon
| those who drank in my presence which
! the second, or lower, half of the bot
/ tie had upon them; so ! have inferred
! that there must be some scientific Law
which explains why the upper half Of
a bottle of champagne, for instance, is
| less stimulating than the lower half.
That is, indeed, an extraordinary
fact, the professor replied gravely
/ L am greatly indebted to you for hav-
/ ing called It to my attention, | shall
proceed at once TO make researches.
And the professor actually did not
see. what all the other guests readily
perceived, that Senator Evarts was
! making sly fun Of him. or that the rea.
son was self-apparent why the second
half of a bottle Of champagne pro-
duced far more stimulating effect
than the first half"
| Copyright, 1911, by p j. Edwards AL
rights reserved)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell O