Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-06


may come and go. but this one incident
never Is entirely forgotten Years after
II transpires thoughts of II. which come
often. will bring smiles OF frowns and
few moments contemplation.
Usually men are backward about tell
ing of these incidents. but recently sew
eraI members OF the lower House of
Congress were asked regarding their
most striking experiences and every
one confessed that hidden away he
had just such story as described
Some of them happened more than a
quarter Of century ago, but in telling
the stories no one paused to refresh his
forgotten angle.
X
Along IN the spring of 1885. while
Representative John NJ. Evans of the
first district of Montana was stu
dent at the University of Missouri he
decided to return to his western home
In Deer Lodge. Mont. for a visit. He
carried only little money. but much
determination. when he started. By
the time he reached Kansas City he had
hut Few dollars and a day coach
ticket from Kansas City TO Deer Lodge.
He thought he soon would catch train
west so he did not worry.
Unfortunately. however. the spring
-ains were falling and the Missouri and
Eaw rivers We're out on their annual
rampage AS a result no trains were
running west or north Of the city and
Evans had to remain there a week.
At the end OF that time his finances
were reduced to $50. and 1t was with
this amount that he boarded the day
coach for FIVE days and nights
tourney-the train being a slow one
even for that day.
For one dav and a night only he ate
sparinTly of what lunch he could buy
from the candy butcher and then he
began to ponder on how he could exercise
his wits and obtain food 1t was In
keeping with this thought that he struck
up an acquaintance with a youth on the
train. The boy happened to be travelling
with his sister. a handsome young
woman. who carried one of the fanciest
and fullest lunch baskets Evans ever
rad seen Evans was promptly intro
duced and with his eye on the basket
ne started to pay most violent compli-
ments TO the young woman.
Apparently his speeches were we'll put,
for when meal time arrived she invited
him TO lunch from the basket. He read
,Iv accepted During the afternoon he
thought up a new line Of fattery. and by
evening she was so well pleased that she
insisted he again try some of her home
made lam and gingerbread. He did.
Thus another day passed successfully
and during the evening. Evans invented
a great many more nice things to say
about her chestnut hair. her charming
mouth and her many other attractions
ALI of which meant food. The scheme
worked finely. and every night thereafter
Evans thought of new compliments to
nav the following day and, having said
them. made himself at home In the
basket woman gets beautiful fast
when compliments mean doughnuts. the
representative insists
Eventually so strong a fayorlte did he
become with the family that he borrowed
money from the brother. And. at the end
IF five days when he rode triumphantly
into Deer Lodge ION the cushions, he
carried - cents in real cash.
For several months after arriving home
Evans corresponded with the girl. He
also paid the brother few years ago
the Young woman married and now IS the
wife Orwell. she did not marry Evans.
<
Whenever Representative William Cor
don OF the thirtieth district of Ohio sees
a man reading an address from manu-