Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-14
BEATS HASTY RETREAT
WHEN ASKED TO ENLIST
Delegate Horner, Of Southampton,
Turns Laugh on Belligerent
Stranger.
WANTED WAR AT ALL COSTS
But Retired Precipitately When Leg
islntor offered to Place His Name
Mt Top Of List for First Call for
Troops.

In foreign affairs Guy T. Horner.
member of the House Of Delegates
from Southampton County, is a neutra |.
Only in Federal. State and municipal
politics, and when n fight for office ia
OH in n body Of Odd Fellows and so
long as his friend Delegate George l..
Browning, of Orange, remains a can
didate for Speaker of the House of
Delegates. and the while himself is a
candidate for chairman OF the next
Democratic caucus. will Guy T. Horner
permit any one to regard him as a
partizan.
Delegate Horner. who came to Rich :
mond to attend the Grand Lodge meet
Ing of the Virginia Odd Fellows. sat
last night at n table in the dininc-room
OF a hotel owned by a German. regal
ing himself with luncheon of French
sardines. German fried potatoes, Eng
lish peas. maccaroni and a bottle Of
Dublin stout. With him sat two lodge
men.
They were discussing tho sinking of
the Lusftania. One of Delegate Hor-
ner's companions entertained views de-
cidedly adverse to the policy Of the
kaiser's government, while tho other
sturdily maintained that whatever the
humane point of view might be there
was no question that Germany had act
ed within the international code gov
erning warfare when Wilhelms tor
pedoes sent the Lusitania to Davy
RED-FACED STRANGER
is STRONG FOR WAR
Their conversation attracted the at
tention Of sturdy red-faced man at
the opposite table, who made manifest
his interest for several minutes by
wriggling nervously in his scat and
twisting his neck at intervals to get n
covert glance at the disputants. AS
the debate grew more animated the
stocky man of the rubicund visage
drew tho napkin from beneath his chin.
shifted his chair around until he con-
fronted Horner's party and pr Lcecded
10 horn his way into the converse.
I'll tell you about 1t, brothers" he
exploded. 1T is the duty of this gov
eminent to assert itself I voted for
Wilson. but If he doesn't come out and
ask Congress to declare war on Ger
many he isn't the man I thought I
was voting for. If Roosevelt were
President"-
IF Roosevelt were in Wilson'S place."
interrupted Delegate Horner's con-
servative companion, "he would have
no doubt. taken a hand in the free-for-
all European knock down and drag
out at the opening OF hostilities and
we might now be a German province.
with the Grand Duke of wurtzburger
rs President of the United States and
the Prince OF Limburger acting as
provisional Governor of Virginia"
Whereupon the red-faced stranger
declared himself for war with the Ger
man empire. He argued long and with
warmth, setting forth his many and
varied reasons why this country should
cast Its lot without further delay with
Great Britain and her allies. Dele
gate Horner grew weary and worried
as the argument proceeded. Finally he
was inspired.
HORNER CALLS BLUFF
OF wAR-TALkING CITIZEN
IT we declared war against Ger
many do YOU believe could muster,
I mobilize and move sufficient troops to
strengthen the arms of the allies so
that the German empire would be
crushed in ninety days, as you suggest?"
Mr.. Horner asked. do you think we
could get the millions of volunteers on
call. you say"
why. certainly" the ruddy-j owled
stranger replied. beaming. why not?
Every able bodied man in the United
States would enlist"
Horner smiled pensively. He insert
ed his hand into the breast pocket of
book.
I'm glad to hear you say that" he
pursued nodding his approval. MY
name Is Johnson-Lieutennnt Philandcr
/ B. Johnson, In charge OF the Richmond
station OF this circuit Of the recruit
army. I wish to commend your zeal
and patriotic spirit, Mr.. -. Mr.. -.
What Is the name. please. We are an
ticipating Just such a contingency as
you have mentioned, and I am going
TO show my appreciation for the noble
sentiments you have expressed by CIV
ing you a first call when the order
comes from Washington. II you will
be good enough to give me your name
, and address -"
Say. look here" protested the
stranger. rising from his chair and
picking UP the check the waiter had
laid on his table. did I understand you
to say you are the recruiting offcer?'
. Precisely" Horner smiled at him
TT Is men like you we need Just give
, me your name and address. and l shall
!, keep you at the top OF the list"
The sturdy. red faced man backed
away from the table, waving a fat arm
. at the waiter. who hastily procured the
customers Int.
I'm going to see you, lieutenant. at
your office. I surely do appreciate what
you want to do for me-" he stamina r ed
. SELLING the hat and retiring toward the
cashiers desk with great rapidly
Yes. sir, I appreciate 1t. lieutenant
. I'm going to sec you in the morning
; sure"
And he was gone.
Picture Show at Fox School.
A .iYNcD lot,