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About The news=record. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1907-1910 | View Entire Issue (May 29, 1909)
A GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI By THOMAS A. WISE Novelized From the Play by Frederick R. Toombs COPYRIGHT. 1909. BY THOMAS A. WISB , CHAPTER V. THE BOSS OF THE SENATE INSPECTS A NEW MEMBEB. AN actor playing the role of a high type of southern planter would . ' score a decided success by pic L - turlng the charactet exactly after the fashion of Senator William H. Langdon as he strode to the desk of the International hotel. A wide brim med black hat thrust back on bis head, a long black perfectoiu his mouth, coattalls spreading out behind as lie walked, and the "Big BUI" Langdoa smile on his face that carried suusuIlo and irood will wherever he went, ha -was good to look on, an inspiration, particularly In Washington. Following the senator were Miss Langdon and Hope Georgia, leading a retinue of hotel attendants staggering under a large assortment of luggag?. Both beautiful girls, they caused a sensation all of their own. Carolina, a different type from the younger, bad an austere loveliness denoting pride and birth, a brunette of the quality that has contributed so much to the fame of southern women. Hope Geor gia, more girlish and a vivacious blond, was the especial pet of her father and usually succeeded In doing with him what she chose. A real senator and two such young women handsomely gowned seemed to take the old hotel back a score of Tears back to the times when inch sights were of dally occurrence. The ancient greatness of the now dingy International lived again. "How are you, senator? Glad to welcome you, sir," was the clerk's greeting. The genial senator held out bis hand. Everybody was his friend. "Glad to meet you, sir; glad to meet acquainted with my daughters. This la Miss Carolina Langdon, this Miss Hope Georgia Langdon." The two girls, with their father's Idea of courtesy, shook hands with the clerk, who was not at all taken aback by the unexpected honor. Hope Georgia was thoroughly de lighted with everything, but Carolina looked at the worn and faded walls and furnishings with evident distaste. "Ob, this Is Washington," murmured Hope Georgia ecstatically, clasping her hands and gazing at a vista of arti ficial palms in a corridor." ' "Ah. this is Washington," sighed the new senator contentedly as be gazed .... ViaII . n V.fAo mnn gorgeous cigar stand he bad ever seen or ever hoped to see the only new ( thing added to the hotel since Grant 1 was president "Truly magnificent establishment you have here, sir; magnificent!" he ex claimed as an imitation marble col umn came within his purview. "I re member, my friend Senator Moley speaking to me of it thirty years ago. Are our rooms ready?" The clerk, hugely pleased, hastened to assure him that everything was in ; first class order, waiting. "You better go up, girls, while I look around a bit and sort of get the bang of things." "Yes, , I think we had better look around a bit too, before we decide, father," said Carolina diplomatically. . Her father patted her affectionately on the arm. "Now, don't you worry, Carolina. 1 see you think this place too expensive from Its looks too good for us. But I tell you the best even this, Isn't too sood for yon girls and your dad. Run away, and I'll come up and see you soon." .. The new senator leaned bis elbow on the desk, surveying the place. "I understand this Is a favorite haunt for the big men of wasnington," no said. . The clerk eagerly agreed. "Yes, Indeed, senator; we have them all. Senator Peabody and Senator Stevens were here Dit i moment ago. Boy, find Senator Peabody and Senator Ste vens and tell them Senator Langdon Is here." The two senators came quickly. "I'm glad to see you. Langdon; glad to see you," exclaimed 8 1 e- "BZTtnd Senator, Tens, with an as- Peabody and fits- uuiyuui. xent.' f aslveness. "I want to Introduce you to Senator Pea body of Pennsylvania." Peabody bowed, and Langdon held out his hand. "I'm delighted to meet you, senator. This Is a proud day for me. sir." Peabody bad put on bis smoothest and most polished manner. "I came especially to meet you. Sen ator Langdoa.". be said.- "Although we are on different sides we may be Interested In the same things. I hope we shall see . a great deal of each other." Langdoa chuckled. "Tbaf a mighty good of you, senator, rm depending on you experienced fel lows to put me through. Don't know you know. Raising cotton, arguing I His talk with these famous lawmak the government and bossing niggers I ers was unsatisfactory also In that It have been about the extent of my oc cupation for the last forty years, so I reckon I'm not much of a practical lawmaker." "Oh. you'll learn; you'll learn quick ly." assured Peabody. "With Stevens, here, for a guide you can't go wrong. We all look up to Stevens. He's one of the powers on your side. He's an able man, Is Stevens." The new senator from Mississippi gladly corroborated this. "You're right, sir. A great man I 1 tell you, when he told that legislature what they ought to do, Senator Pea body. they did it. If it wasn't for Ste vens I wouldn't be here now." In mock protest the senior senator from Mississippi raised bis hands. "Now, now, Langdon, don't say that. Your worth, your Integrity, your char acter and our old friendship got you the senatorship." The old planter laughed gleefully. "Sure, Stevens, I have the character and the Integrity, but I reckon the character and integrity wouldn't have' done much business if you hadn't bad the legislature." Clearly delighted, Peabody consider ed It certain that this new senator knew Just the way he should go and would cause no difficulty. His keen sense of gratitude made him appreciate bow he hnd been elected. Peabody literally beamed on Langdon. "I hope we shall be able to work a good deal together, senator," be said. "I have the Interests of the south at heart, particularly with regard to this new naval base. Perhaps we may be able to get you on the naval commit tee." "Me!" laughed Langdon. "Well, that would be going strong! But I tell you I'm for the naval base." "For Altacoola?" suggested Stevens. , Langdon hesitated. Peabody and Stevens watched him Us eagles watch their prey from tbe mountain crag. "Well, it looks to me like Altacoola ought to be a fine site. But tbe actual place isn't so im portant to me. I tell you, gentle men." be said in impressive seri ousness tbat rang withsturdy Amer ican manhood"! tell you that what is important is that tbe great. sweeping curve of the gulf shall hold some of those ivhttA nhlnfl rf ours to watch '"fr over the indies eted Steven,. and the canal and to keep an eye on South America. "And right there on our own south ern coast I want these ships built and equipped and tbe guns cast and the men found to man them. I want the south to have ber part In the nation's defense. I want her to have this great naval city as the living proof that there Is again just one country the United States and tbe north and the south both have forgiven. Senator Peabody clapped tbe new member on the back. "Good!" be exclaimed. "You've got to make some speeches like that. We'll have you as the orator for tbe naval base." Langdon's eyes opened wide. "Orator!" be gasped. "Me! An ora tor!" "Why, that' was oratory, good ora tory," exclaimed Stevens, with enthu sinstn. . "Hub!" grunted the planter. "You call tbat oratory. Why, that was only the troth." "We'll see that you do some more of It then," laughed Peabody. "Remem ber, we count on you for the naval base." "For rural simplicity he's perfec tion," whispered Peabody to Stevens as they left the planter. "He s a II v Ing picture of Innocence. We'll push blin forward and let him do tbe talk lug for the naval affairs committee. Hiding behind him, we could put through almost any kind of a proposi tion." Once more did tbe senior senator from Mississippi acquiesce, CHAPTER VI. FEW FHIIKDS AKD A If OLD KKEMT. T ANGDON gazed at tbe two-depart I lng senators with varied emo tions. He sat dowu to think A I over what they had said and to carefully consider what manner of man was Peabody, who showed such an iu terest in hUn. He realized tbat be would have considerable Intercourse wltb Peabody in the processes of legis lation and finally had to admit to him self that he did not like the senator from Pennsylvania. Just what it was Langdon could not at this time make certain, but be was mystified by traces of contradictions In tbe senator's char acterslight traces, true, but traces nevertheless. Peabody's cordiality snd sympathy were to Langdon's mind partly genuine and partly false. Just what was tbe cause of or the necessity for tbe alloy In tbe true metal be could not lthnm fife -fir had conveyed to Langdon the sugges tion tbat the senate was not primarily great forum for the general and ac tive consideration of weighty meas ures and of national policies. It had been his idea that the senate was pri marily such a forum, but tbe attitude of Peabody and Stevens bad hinted to him that there were matters of lndiv unl interest that outweighed public or national considerations. For Instance, "Come along, colonel Fo' cant tt Keah all day." they were anxious that Altacoola should have tbe naval base regardless of the claims or merits of any other section. That was unusual, puzzling to Langdon. Moreover, it was poor business, yet there were able business men In the senate. Not one of them would, for Instance, think of buying a site for a factory until be bad investi gated many possible locations and then selected the most favorable one. Why was It, he pondered, tbat the business of the great United States of America was not conducted on business lines? He must' study the whole question In telligently; tbat was Imperative. He must have advice, help. To whom was he to go for It? Stevens? Yes, bis old friend, who knew all "the ropes." Yet even Stevens seemed different In Wash ington than Stevens In Mississippi. Here be played "second fiddle." He was even obsequious, Langdon had ob served, to Peabody. In Mississippi he was a leader, and a strong one too. But Senator Langdon had not yet learned of the. many founts from which polit ical strength and political leadership may be gained. What be finally decided on was the engaging of a secretary, but he must be one with knowledge of political op erations, one who combined wisdom 1th honesty. Such an aid could pre vent Langdon from making tbe many mistakes that Invariably mark tbe new man in politics, and he could point out tbe most effective modes of procedure under given circumstances. It might prove difficult to find a man of the nee essary qualifications who was not al ready employed, but in the meantime Langdon would watch tbe playing of the game himself and make his own deductions as best be could. The senator started toward the hotel desk to ask regarding the whereabouts of his son Randolph when his atten tion was caught by the sight of three powerful negro porters endeavoring to thrust outdoors a threadbare old man. The victim's flowing white hair, white mustache and military bearing recelv ed short shrift. "Come along, colonel! Yo' can't sit heah all day. Them chairs Is for tbe guests iu the hotel," tbe bead porter was urging as be jerked the old man toward tbe door. Tbe Mlssissipplan's fighting blood was Instantly aroused at such treat ment of a respectable old white man by negroes. Ills lips tightly compress ed as be hurried to the rescue. He cried sunrpl.v. "Take your hands off that gentle man! What do you mean by touching a friend of mine. ' The negroes stepped back amazed. "Scuse me, senator. Is this gent'man a friend of yours," tbe bead porter gasped apologetically. Langdon looked at him. "You heard what I said," he drawled in tbe slow way natural to some men of the south when trouble threatens. "I'd like to have you down In Missis sippi for about ten minutes." The bead porter turned "quickly on his assistants and drove them away, shouting at tbe top of bis voice: "Get about yo' wuk. How dare yo' lntehfere wld a friend of de senator's? I'll teach yo' to be putting yob nose In where It ain't got no business." The old man, astonished at the turn of events, came forward hesitatingly to Langdon. "I'm very much obliged to you, sir," be said. "I'm Colonel Stoneman, an old soldier." The Mlssiaslppian stretched forth his band. "My name Is Langdon, sir Senator Langdon of Mississippi. I am an old soldier too." "Delighted, senator," exclaimed the seedy looking old man, taking the of fered hand arratefully. Professional Duectory of Wallowa County THOS. M. DILL ATTORNEY-AT-LAW I : Office first door south of New Fraternal Bldg, Enterprise, Ore. 1 1 4"MM84"g.8s58?' t 1 SHfcfHgK$.3M$t4.t$K$, l,. snepara, lecturer of the wo BURLEIGH & BOYD I man"8 christia Temperance Union. ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW & Practice In all State Courts and l . interior uepartraent. Careful at- tention to all business. SHEAHAN I D. W. LAWYER ENTERPRISE Practice in Shi to anA TSVrl Ami Courts and Interior Department. C. T. HOCKETT. M. D. f PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON J Office upstairs in Bank Build- ? lng, Ind. Home phone in office and residence. aiuuc'uittu uouueu. "I remember a young fool of a John nie reb dashing up tbe bill fifty yards ahead of his men, waving his sword and yelling like a wild Indian." The southerner straightened up. "Well, where In thunderntlon would you expect me to be, sir?" be exclaim ed. "Behind them? I got my wound there. Laid me up for three months: like to have killed me." Then a new Idea struck him. "Why, colouel, It must have been a bullet from one of your men from your reg iment, sir!" The old northerner pushed his fin gers through bis hair and shook hi head apologetically. "Why, senator, I'm afraid It was," he hesitated. Langdon's easy method of making friends was well Illustrated as he clapped his new companion on the back. Everybody he met was the Mis sissippi's friend until be bad proved himself the contrary. That bad been his rule through life. "Come right over, colonel; have a cigar, sir." Then, as they lighted their cigars, he Inquired, "What army corps were you with, colonel?" 'I was under Grant along the Ten nessee," replied the old G. A. R. man. Familiarity with a senator was lomethlng new for him, and already be' was straightening up and becom ing more of a man every moment. Langdon was thoroughly Interested. "I was along tbe Tennessee under Beauregard," he said. "Great generals, sir! Great gener als!" exclaimed Colonel Stoueman. "And great fighting, I reckon!" ech oed the Confederate. "You remember the battle of Crawfordsville?" Tbe old Federal smiled with joyous recollection. "Do I? Well, I should say I did! Were you there, senator?" x "Was I there? Why, I remember every shot that was fired. I was un der KIrby, who turned your left wing." The attitude of the northern soldier changed Instantly. He drew himself up with cold dignity. Plainly ho fell that he bad tbe honor of his army to sustain. "Our left wing was never turned, sir!" he exclaimed with dignity. Langdon stared at blm with amaze ment This was a point of view tbe Confederate bad never beard before. "Never turned!" he gasped. "Don't tell me that! I was there, and, besides, I've fought this battle on an average of twice a week ever since 'C5 down In Mississippi, and In all these years 1 never beard such a foolish statement." "What rank were you, sir?" asked the Union soldier haughtily. "I was a captain tbat morning," con fessed tbe southerner. His old enemy smiled with superi ority. "As a colonel I've probably got more accurate Information," be said. "I was a colonel that evening," came the dry retort "But in an Inferior army. We licked you, sir!" cried Stoneman hotly. Tbe Ml8slsslpplan drew himself up wltb all tbe dignity common to the old Confederate soldier explaining tbe war. . "Tbe south was never whipped, sir. We honorably surrendered, sir. We surrendered to save the country, sir, but we were never whipicd." "Did you not run at Kenyon Hill?" taunted Stoneman. Langdon brought down bis fist In tbe palm of the other band violently. "Yes, sir; we ran at you. I ought to remember. I got my wound there. You remember tbat long lane" ne pulled off his bat and threw it on the floor, indicating It with one hand "Here was the Second Alabama." Tbe hat of the old Federal dropped on the Door op posite tbe bat of tbe Confederate. "And here the Eighth Illinois," exclaimed Stone man. Langdon excit edly seized a di minutive bellboy passing by and planted him alongside bis bat I "Stay there a ' "And here the EUjhth moment sonny," JUinoUr he cried. "You m CHURCH SERVICES. Rev. W. S. Crockett will preach In the Christian church Sunday niorn- ing and in the evening there will be ,a uulon meeting at the Christian church. M- E. church: Sabbath school 10 a. in, address at 11 a. m. by Mrs. rpwuriii league, i p. m io preacn ing in evening on account of union temperance meeting at the Christian hurch addressed by Mrs. Shepard. C . Tmeblood, pastor. Mrs. L. L. Shepard, lecturer of the ....... T. IT., will speak In the Metho dist churth next Sunday at 11 a. in., it Alder at 3 p. m, and in the Chris tian church at 8 p. ni. All cordially Invited. Many weak, nervous women have bean restored to health by Foley's Kidney Remedy as it stimulates the kidneys so they will eliminate the waste matter from the blood. Impur ities depress the nerves, causing ner vous exhaustion and other ailments. Commence todAy and you will soon be wo'l. For sale by Burnaugli & Mayfield. Read the advertisements. are iue roiu'iii vugmiu." The newspaper Stoneman was carry ing came dowu opposite the startled bellboy, who wns trying not to ap pear frightened. "This Is the clump of cedars," he exclaimed. Both, In their engerness, were bend ing down over their Improvised battle plan, their beads close together. "And here a farmhouse beside your cedars," cried I.nngdon. "That's where the rebels charged us," echoed the Union man. Langdon brought down his fist again with emphatic gesture. "You bet we charged you! The Third Mississippi charged you! I charged you, sir!" Langdon's eyes were big with the afterglow of a fighter discussing the mighty struggles of the past, those most precious of all the jewels In the treasure store of u soldier's memory. "Why, It might have been n bullet fired by you, sir," ho cried. "It might be that you were the man who almost killed me. Why, confound you, sir, I'm glad to meet you!" Each old veteran of tragic days gone by had quite unconsciously awaken ed a responsive chord In the heart of tbe other. A senator nnd n penniless old "dowu nnd outer" are very much the same lu the human scale that takes note of the Inside and uot the outside of a man. And they fell into each other s nrius then and there, for what strong fighter does uot respect mother of his kind? There thoy stood, nnns around each other, clapping each othpr on the hack. Do It Now, Now la the time to get rid of your rheumatism. Yo.i can do so by ap plying Chambeilaln's Liniment. Nine cases out of ten are simply muscular rheumatism due to cold or damp, or hronlc rheumatism, and yield to tho vigorous application of this liniment. Try it. You are certain to he delight id with the qul:k relief which it affords. Sold by Burnaugli & May- iold. Red Front Livery and Feed Stable First Class Accommodations Best of Hay and Grain & ONK BLOCK SOUTH OF HOTEL ENTERPRISE MAIL AND PASSENGER STAGE LINE Wallowa. Appleton; Flora to Paradise, MONDAYS WEDNESDAYS and FRIDAYS; and From Paradise, Flora and Appleton to Wallowa, TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS ami SATURDAYS Good accommodations, courteous treatment and reasonable rates, leaves Wallowa at 0 a. in. E. W. SOUTHWICK, Proprietor. MILLIONS OF AT LOWEST RATES. ON EASIEST TERMS. Wm. Miller & Brother, SUITE 204, Wallowa National Bank Building, Enterprise, Oregon. 1 L I W. C. KETCHU.M DENTIST ENTERPRISE f.ice norland Building. Home Independent Phone. I COXA WAY & CORKINS. J, A. B. Conaway. O. M. Corkins.f ' LAWYERS I Enterprise, Oregon. A I E. T. ANDERSON. M. D. f PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON I Calls attended to day or night. nuiuu iJiiuuu. r.utt:i pi iae, ure. DU. C. A. AULT PHYSICIAN AND SUItGEON I Ofiice in Bank Building. S Home phone both office and'J residence. " & "Ucrc was the Second Alabama actually chortling In t'je pure ecstasy of coinrudcshi.i, tuw serious, agulu iuughlug, when on the scene appeared Bud Unities, the correspondent, who bad returned to Interview the new sen ator from Mississippi. "Great heavens!" ejaculated the newspaper man. "A senator, a United Etutos senator, hugging a broken down old 'has been!' What Is the world com ing to?" Haines suddenly paused. "I wonder if it can bo a pose merely for effoct It's getting harder every day to tell what's genuine nnd what Isn't In this town." (Continued next week.) For a burn or scald apply Chamber Iain's Salve. It will allay the pain almost Instantly and quickly heal the Injured parts. For sale by Burnaugh and Mayfield. BOSWELL & SON I'ROPIUETOUS. .i..j.4. i i