The Washington herald., 1912-01-03

You have heard the story about the
man who negotiated the horse trade.
later discovered that the horse he got
was blind, and went back in great an
ger TO ask the other party to the trade
why he didn't tell him. And the other
man, you'll, remember. said that the
man he got the horse from didn't speak
Of II, and he figured that he didn't
want Il known.
You've heard the story. Of course. II
went the rounds OF the exchanges, and
in year or two will be old enough for
the magazines to use. But you proba-
bly, didn't know of the political sig
nificance OF the story, and the big hg-
ure # cut in Maine politics
Senator Gardner, OF Maine. claims the
honor OF having been an eye witness
to the story when it happened. and Of
having given II to the public while it
was still pink and palpitating He was
driving along the country road in Ohio
with a friend. then assistant food COM
missioner OF that State. when the horse
trade occurred between his friend and
another man. and the events happened
as related.
Gardner went back TO Maine and told
the story in the presence Of Gov. Plais-
ted. who was then In the midst OF hts
gubernatorial campaign. PIaisted
clutched the yarn to his bosom. as IL II
were his own, sc Gardner says, and
told II wherever he spoke. The people
liked IL so well that they elected Plais-
ted. Gardner. meanwhile. got the hoarse
hoot whenever he related the tale. Peo-
pie laughed at Il, but they supplement-
ed their laughter by remarking:
All. yes; Plaisted's story. A good one,
isn't it7''
This got on Gardner's nerves after
time, and he reproached Plaistsd-
Il lend you a horse" he said. speaking
fguratively, ''and you drive It all through
your campaign-drive It 50 hard that Il
Is nothing now but skin and bones and
Of no further use TO me. How are you
going 20 square yourself?''
Just wait" said Plaisted.
And he up and appointed Gardner
United States Senator from Maine
So now the score Is evened up.
In connection with an interstate COM
mercs hearing in washington. one recalls
the case OF United States District Judge
Emory Speer, of Georgia.
Judge Speer Is an austere man, who
knows no friend when he's on the bench.
An interstate commerce case was in
progress before him some time ago, and
one witness had one OF those faulty men,
ories that have become so prevalent with
the onward trudge CT our modern civfii-
zation.
The witness remembered his name. age.
and occupation. but those were about the
only facts pertaining to the case that he
could recall
This got on Judge Speer's nerves after
a time, and he bade the witness step
down from the stand in front Of the
bench.
You will kin1ly walk over to the clerk
and deposit $40" said the court, sternly.
The witness couldn't dope out what
was up, but he walked over and de-
posted so with the clerk Just TO see
what would happen next.
Once more the judge summoned him in
front OF the bench.
IT caused you TO deposit so In order
to refresh your memory" observed the
court kindly resume your seat II
your memory is still at fault I may have
to refresh II still further"
And after that the witness distinctly
remembered everything he was asked
about
Members Of the Supreme Court Of the
United States are, contrary to the gen.