The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-02-03

Big Men, WHICH ms just USCl pun
iished. is unique, In that this is the
FIRST appearance in the history of lit
,rary undertakings Of a volume COM
posed entirely OF short stories and an
ecdotes from the worlds big men, |
and signed by them. Not the least
remarkable feature of this compila-
ron lies in the fact that these stories
have been told to a and IRE.
nuentiy at the narrator's expense. Not
a few OF the stories are concerned |
with campaigns, inangurations, and
afer-dinner speeches, and record
ronspicuous landmarks in the careers |
IF the men who relate them. While
ne reader is laughing, he will dis
cover that he Is gradually gaining a |
better idea of the men upon whose
shoulders rest, in their w~Ork-a-day
bours. the burdens of our Republic,
ar the weight OF the worlds finance,
commerce, science, and affairs.
This volume is especially interest
ing TO men. and as q textbook OF
humor will be a valuable aid in the
preparation of eech
dents. admirals, and generals have
ralated. in their inimitable style, bits
IF their own history. The volume is
animated by not a few OF
aniable ~self-satire. How the stories
we're gathered is best told by the
compiler, Annabel Lee.
..In the pursuit of my calling as
special writer, during the last ten
years. | have had an unusual oppOr-
nlnity to study, both at work and at
nlay. the men who have SO generous
IL contributed to this volume
Il found that not i~nfrequently the
popular conception of these men was,
on closer acquaintance, proved mis-
leading. TO instance, when during
a.. t..@ x-a.r of his SnpakpYSnlD I'm
Gle .Joe' was so mercilessly grilled be-
fore the House, he would often retire
to his room in the Capitol, mop his
brow. and indulge in remlnlScent
yarns. The world pictured Uncle
Joe al this time as the raging lion,
striding the office floor. Instead he
was smoking his famous cigars and
recalling scenes of the past. At such
a time he told me of h man who
arranged his own Congressional fu-
neral He began: Illinois can
boast of many great men in the past,
but ] don't believe if you search her
history, you will find two more in
teresting characters than William M
Springer and William r. Morrison
two of her former Representatives ir
Washington. They were both Demo,
Gratis and both bitterly a~ntagonistic
They never agreed upon any question
and were, 10 tell the truth, morta
enemies. During one of the session:
Of the Congress word was brought Il
us that Mr.. Morrison was i'll at hi
residence at the Ebbit House and, o
course. all his friends rallied abou
his sick-room to cheer him up a bit
lie was very low spirited and insisted
that he was about ready to cash In
We all jollied him and tried to per
suade him that he had h wron'
view of his case but he still stucl
TO his opinion, feeling convinced tina
he was ready to cross the river. II
concluded that while he was on tn
subject, he might as well make ar
rangement for his expected obse
ouieS.
~ am a very sick man and l ma
die soon and / suppose you fellow
will want to give me . Congressioni
funeral he began.
Now there Is Sunset Cox. H
will probably wan to say something
We both came to Congress togethe
and have always been h best {
friends ever If Sunset Cox wants
say anything, that will be very agree
able.
Then there is Bill Holman Of II
diana. ] suppose he will wan
make a few remarks. Our relation
have always been very cordial. "
both came from the same part OF II
country, and anything he will wal
10 say will be very acceptable.
Then there is Dick
he wants to say something, 1t VIII
particularly agreeable to me, becau
he can weave the flowers OF Il
English language into prettler DO
quets THAI any man in Congress. +
is fond Of listening to HIMSELF; the
is no harm in what he can say; !
him talk.
but, boys, if Bill Springer q
tenpts to make u speech, L want O
OF YOU TO move to adjourn"
In the more sober history OF II
nation it will not be recorded ne
congressman sometimes make tn
initial bows in Washington, nor I
incidental embarrassments which Z
END them during the first part
their terms. One Congressman n
the good humor to laugh at his
JENNA in telling the
When I cached washington
guess my lines of and Spe
hcation3 were not such as 10 ma
me down as "A CONGRESSMAN to tn(