The Congressional Reputation

1895

"I don't know exactly what the congressional reputation for temperance is away from Washington," remarked the story telling member, "but I'm afraid it is bad in some sections."

"Why?" very naturally inquired a listener.

"For instance," continued the member, "when I was paying a kind of fence repairing visit to one of the remote counties in my district I stopped for dinner at a country tavern kept by an old fellow I had never met. There was a bar attached, and thither my companion and I adjourned shortly after our arrival. We hadn't seen the old man yet, and a boy was behind the counter. We explained our wants to him, and he had just set out a bottle and a couple of the ordinary small sized whisky glasses when the old man came in. My companion knew him and at once introduced me as the member of congress from that district. We shook hands cordially, and I asked him to join us.

"'Not at all,' he responded, with a bow. 'You are to drink with me,' and turning toward the counter he noticed the little glasses.

" 'Here, Bill,' he exclaimed, shoving them to one side, 'take these thimbles away and bring out them goblets. Didn't you hear the gentleman say this was a member of congress?' " — Detroit Free Press.