Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1903 — TIM'S JEWEL DAZZLED REED. [ARTICLE]

TIM'S JEWEL DAZZLED REED.

Ex-Congressmen Campbell Tells of Triumphs 'Von with Hia Diamond. Ex-Congressman Tim Campbell la still bemoaning the loss of his |6OO diamond stud, or “headlight,’’ as ha called It, which waa feloniously “lifted” from hia shirt front by pickpockets on a Grand street car recently, says the New York World. “That spark,” said Tim sadly, “was a corker and no mistake. It made friends for me wherever I went and. what’s more, pushed me to the front on every great and festive occasion. "The spark had a history to be proud of. I wore it on state occasions and whenever I went to a high and Influential dignitary of the United States government to obtain a ‘soft snap’ for one of my political constituents. I was a member of Washington society when I was a representative in Congress and I would also wear the spark on those most auspicious occasions. “The late Speaker Reed,” continued the ex-Congressman, “had great respect and admiration for the gem. “ ‘Tim,’ said Mr. Reed to me one day, ‘I want you to do me a great favor. I want you to wear that diamond every time you get up in the house to make one of your famous speeches.’ ‘“Certainly, Mr. Speaker,’ said I; T am only too glad to serve yon. I thank you for this compliment’ “I kept my word to the speaker and whenever I would get up and speak he would thank me for It “ ‘Tim,’ he said to me, after I completed my last speech In the House of Congress, ‘I shall never forget the happy moments which I spent listening to you, which at the same time afforded me an opportunity to look at your most magnificent diamond.’ “President Cleveland,” continued the great Tim, “was also a most enthusiastic admirer of my lost gem. Every time I would go to the White House to ask a favor of the President he would grab me by the hand and look at the diamond. Knowing that he waa fond of the diamond I had made It my business to wear it every time I went to the White House. I called it my lucky star because whenever I wore It I waa always sure of landing a soft political job for one of my friends In the district.”