Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 November 1884 — A LUNCH-TABLE INCIDENT [ARTICLE]

A LUNCH-TABLE INCIDENT

Father and Son—Senator and Congressman. Whyt May Be in Store for a Wife and Mother—A Sou of n.tn Voorhees Probably Going to Congress from Washington Terrtory. [From the Indianapolis Sentinel J There were five of us arouud a lunch table 5 esterday in a private room of a popular restaurant—Dan Voorhces, John E. Lamb, ‘Dick’ Bright and Albert J. Kelley. We were not a disgruntled party; why sho’d we be? Voorliees probably knows that he will succeed hijnself in the Senate: John Lamb is too magnificent a nature to frown at defeat, and it is not recorded yet, anyway that he may not by protest win the seat in Congress he so well deserves. Albert Kelly is a hopeful aspirant tor office. Dick Bright possesses the gift of diplomacy, which will ‘cast an anchor to the windward’ in his behalf whenever he ie ready for the undertaking. As for the fifth member of the group he has no aspiration for other position under the sun than that of talking through types in a manner which shall entertain a large constituency of readers. But of these affairs no word was said over our table, it was one of those social episodes that make men know each other better—from which business, politics and doll care of whatever breeding is eliminated Conversation, spiced with anecdote and repartee, flows On for an hour with the pleasantry of a brook’s babblings. At length John Lamb takes from his pocket a paper, and with an apology for the act, be gins looking the columns over tor some item lie wants to find.

‘Put down the paper, John,’ Voorhees presently commands him, and tl en says to the others: ‘Lamb is an oddity at reading a newspaper: he goes over every line.in it, including the advertisment., ‘Well, now. I’ll wager I,ve found something here that will please you,’ responded Lamb, ‘Listen,’ and he read the following: S K ATTL f . wT T., Nov. 11 —The election is still doubtful in this Territory. The chances favor Voorhees, Democrat, for Delegate to Congress. The only issue between the two parties was that of the railroad. Democrats and disaffected Reoublicans demanded the forfeiture of the land grant which lapsed over seveu years ago. They have probably won their fight. Voorhees’ estimated majority is abut 300. ‘What Voorhees is that?’ I questioned. That is my son, sir; my boy Charles,’ answered Dan with just the least glow of gladness illuminating his face and the slightest glisten of moisture in his eyes ‘»hat dispatch does me good,’ said Kelley ‘and by George, I do hope Charley has won,’ speaking with the earnestness of a boyhood friend. The hope was cordially echoed by the other three.

‘And I hope so: I want it for his mother’s sake,’ responded the father, she is wrapped up in ' harley. Why she has been as anxious over his race as over my own canvass. I have told her he could not win, the Territory being overwhelmingly Republican. He himself hatdly thought it possible, and did not accept the nomination under any impression that he could be elected. But his mother has nevertheless hoped for his success and will it* not make her happy to seehimin Congress?' There is & silent music underlying the resonant strains of the orchestra, which is often sweeter to the senses than the sounds that fall upon the ear.

There is a depth ot sentiment which words can not fathom, and which they should never attempt to voice, and just such a sentiment was uncovered in our party by the last sentence Dan Voorliees uttered. Not another word was uttered on the subject and I would have wanted to choke the one who would have added a word. I have never seen the Washington Territory Voorliees, but 1 would give something io be assured that he lias vm his race. It would thrill the heart of every friend of Indiana’s favorite Senator to reflect upon the worthy pride with which he would look upon his son seated in the other House of * ongress. But 1 should forget, nor care a snap for what e might think or feel, when contemplating the fullness of pride and joy of the wife and mother who could walk to the Capitol between and upon the arm each of a husband, Senator, and a son, Congressman. I protest against being charged with sentimentality, but I would rather stand in the campus of the Capitol and see that procession go by than to witness the ceremony of inaugurating the next President.

ROB RCY.