Life — May 8, 1884 — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A RISING POLITICIAN ON THE COMING CAMPAIGN. BY OUR SPECIAL CANDIDATE REPORTER. Il. CTING in accordance with that old time saying that we go from one extreme to the other, I visited Greystone and Mr. Tilden after leaving the house of intemperance at Fremont, | Ohio. I found Mr. Tilden busily engaged in ploughing up his back- yard, looking the picture of health, happiness, and virtue. He greeted me with a smile, and lifting the plough from one furrow to another enquired my business with him. When informed that I was a hireling of Lire he smiled again, showing a superb set of teeth, and replied : “Ah! Glad tosee you. In spite of the statements of a reptile press to the contrary I wish it distinctly understood that I have taken an extra lease of you. When people charge me with being in my second childhood they strike it right to a certain extent. I’m still young and getting younger every week, and ready as you see to sow some more wild oats !” pointing to the furrows. The modern Cincinnatus here tossed a five hundred pound boulder into the Hudson with apparently little effort, and started his oxen in a new direction, Feeling somewhat tired, I mounted one of the team and facing the driver, engaged him in conversation as follows : “How do you regard the political situation, Mr. Tilden ?” “Well, it depends on the thermometer entirely,” he replied. “Some days seem cold, others warmer. however, I think it is.” «You think it is ?”” “Yes, but if it isn’t, of course it won’t be. You see the Democratic party can hardly afford to doit, while the Republicans have no such idea.” “T hardly catch your meaning, Mr. Tilden,” said I; ‘to what do you refer?” “The Political situation, People say that I am too old to run, but I am old enough to know better. How this affects the Tariff you can see for yourself, but in other respects we are doing Generally speaking, quite well. John,” this in aloudstentorian voice to a laborer at work in an adjacent field some five hundred yards away, “ have | you fed "76 2” ‘* No, sir, I hain’t had no chance to yet, sir !” ‘“No chance, you idiot ?, Make chance. The Union must and shall be preserved. Go feed that beast immediately.” With this the ex-governor struck the servant with his left arm and felled him to the earth. The stricken man rose and walked away muttering, “Tl ruin him yet just so sure as my name’s John L, Sullivan, and do n't you forget it !” Mr. Tilden again turned to me and said, ‘‘ Seventy-six is my pet horse. Threw me once, but I may ride him again. As for Sullivan he’s a bad man to tackle ordinarily, but when he gets in- volved with the head of the old ticket he goes down every time. By the way, you might mention that I got a letter from Jimmy Husted this morning, which coming from a Republican of his prominence is encouraging.” He handed me the letter, which read : “*May 3d, 1884. ““My DEAR SAM: “ Thave sworn never to cut my hair until the wrong of which hayes was guilty is righted. Y’rs, Jone.” “You see,” said Mr. Tilden, ‘he won't cut his hair and spells Hayes with a little h, I always said Husted was a man of brains. Won't cut his hair until I'm President ! Think of that !” “Yes, but Mr, Tilden, Husted is bald !"" Perhaps I shculdn’t have said it, but it was pure thoughtless- ness on my part. The grand old man wavered a moment and clutching my arm said in an agonized whisper : “* My Heavens, I never thought of that. He’s the Bald Eagle of Westchester! This is base deception.” He fell back fainting in my arms. I gently laid him down with his head on a stone and covered him gently with a few upturned sods and left. Having a few hours of leisure I walked over to Illinois to see Mr. Logan. He was at home, but in the absence of Mrs. Logan refused to be interviewed. As for Tilden, some say he is better. For my part I think it likely. Some say he is worse. CARLYLE SMITH. comicbooks.com