The Republican., 1916-02-24

on that part of the improved area not
facing the railroad but on the equally
steep side slanting to Savage river.
stood an ordinary old cabin in which for
time, the Governor lived with his
aged negro man servant. This respect
ed old man died there and was taken bv
the kind master to Frederick county.
Maryland, for burial among the graves
of his ancestors and while the states
man and the serving attendant lived in
this plain old building, party of news
paper representatives came up from
New York fishing for mountain trout in
theclearandcoldstreamsgushing through
the fastness of that part then, of Allie
gany county, Maryland. Their sport
brought them in the community of the
noted hermit. Hearing no little of one
whose peculiarities justly traced would
adorn the columns of any Journal, they
decided to indulge attempting to see the
man of whose eccentricities so much
had been heard. To better understand
the man they wereplanning to approach,
1t was deemed prudent to consult near
by neighbor, who assured them that the
Governor was gentleman and would
meet them as gentlemen if they met
him in a similar civility; but he added,
1t will not do to fool with him, you must
be gentlemen, insisted the correctly in
formed mountaineer.
Armed with these advisements, they
were ascending the difficult path from
the river to the cabin, when bend in
the way brought them face to face
with one who agreed too fully with de-
scriptions to admit of mistake. One of
the party moved forward with the salu-
tation: 1--WE assume that it is our honor
to meet Governor Thomas" a courte.
GUS bow preceded an all-round intro
duction. Then the peculiar master of a
peculiar home, expressed regrets at
having no lady to provide such an en-
tertainment as he would be pleased to
offer; but if they could be contented
with such as was limited to him, the
old man servant would give them fried
chicken equal to any, where ever
served. This unexpected treat was
gladly accepted by the hungry fisher
men.
The generous host excused himself to
return short while to the house for
instructions as to dinner. In this ab-
sence every pencil was busy writing
descriptions of the lion in his lair, hum
orous characters and objectionable
drawings.
While absorbed in such writing and
drawings, loose leaf was drifted. IN
observed from other notes, by the wind
some distance up the path. The Gov
ernor returning, stopped and picked the
strayed leaf; catching at a glance
the disparaging meaning, the lion broke
from the lair in fury. The startled
knights of the quill saw trouble brew
ing. Walking calmly forward the
Governor said: when | extended to
you the hospitality of my home, it was
presumed from your appearance and
address that you were gentlemen; |
now hold in my hand evidence to the
contrary and order you Immediately
from my presence. They were full of
apologies; but he declared no apology
could be entertained and as men un-
worthy of the presence of a gentleman,
Il turn my back upon you and order
you at once from my premises.
Recalling the injunction of the noun
taineer, they saw the time was at
hand to go, and they stood not upon the
order of the going, but shuffled down
the hill in the confusion of stampede.