The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-04-10

down the steps hurriedly Monday and
was pleased to see his old friend.
Ben. H. Harris OF Pendleton. one of
the best farmers in the State and a
man who would grace the chair Of
State commissioner of agriculture. Af-
ter they had chatted awhile. Mr.. Har-
ris started up to the dining room.
On the steps he met Cousin Rufe"
Chamblee who was awfully glad TO
see his former friend, so glad i'm fact
that he rammed his hand into his
jeans and pulled out six iron wheels.
Here is that amount of SO that owe
you said Cousin Rufe. Mr.. Harris
who had co to that time acted in a
very modest and decorous manner
broke down completely He had to
give vent to his feelings. 1t was O
sore trial to see the six returned to
their comfortable nest in the "bloat-
ed bond holders" pocket, but-'My
friend, l am not b. Harris, my name
is Lanham."
While the gentleman had a perfect
ly frank and engaging countenance-
as We said before he was taken for
b. Harris,-neither Bob King nor
Cousin Rufe would believe that this
man was not their old friend. But
there it was on the register-"J. c.
Lanham, Summerton, s. c." The
resemblance is so marked that this
is not the first time that the mistake
has been made. In fact it has got to
be regular part If the days routine
for Capt. Lanham to declare his iden-
ity while he is in this part of the
country.
Two years ago, during the political
campaign, a candidate for a State Of
fee poured rs grievances into Capt.
Lanham's sympathetic but protesting
ear. Cant you do something with
that brother of yours to make him
Quit fighting me" he pleaded. After
humoring the chap for awhile, Capt.
Lanham declared, My brother is not
fighting you. When he was in politics
he was the governor Of the State of
Texas, but the poor fellow has been
dead two years. My name is j. c.
Lanham and my brother was 6. T. d.
Lanham." The politician was aghast.
I thought you were b. Harris he
spluttered, and all hands laughed
Capt. Lanham is one of these mis-
erable beings known as "drummers."
At the State convention in Greenwood
last year he was elected president of
the South Carolina division Of the
Travellers Protective Association of
America. Who that was present
does not remember his manly speech
of acceptance? 1t was full of love for
fellow man and respect for fellow wo-
men, If there is anybody in the world
who is disposed to speak despitefuny
Of the drummer" he would be con-
verted by reading that address. He
spoke Of the high purpose in life Of
many travelling men whom he had
known. he spoke Of the splendid char
acter of many men who had carried
the sample case. He appealed TO the
association to reprove and il neces-
sary reprimand every young chap
who might happen 10 be a little bit
fresh" that his actions might not re-
feet upon the great order represent
ing "A great profession which is do
ing SO much for the commercial and
intellectual advancement Of this coun-
try
Capt Lanham's defense of the
drummer" was one Of the gentlest.
most manly and most statesmanlike
appeals ever hoard i'm this State. His
tribute 10 woman one of the strongest.
For several years Capt. Lanham was
4 member Of the Legislature from
Clarendon county. Two years ago he
was mentioned for tie state senate,
and could havr had H. hut declined to
run. He was adored by the women
and rallied at by the baggage smash
ers few years ago because Of his
bill 10 permit baby carriages 10 be
checked ON the trains. He is the old
est T. t. \. in the state. having been
a member Of n post i'm Charleston
many years ago. That post disbanded.
hut he never did relinquish his con-
nection with the parent order and
when the organizatio came back In
to South Carolina he joined the Post
A of Spartanburg His membership
is now nearer to his home-at sum