Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1905 — HE STAGGERED REED. [ARTICLE]

HE STAGGERED REED.

Congressman Cousins of lowa vas the late Speaker Reed’s close friend for years, though one of their first interviews was productive of some embarrassment to the big man from Maine. He was then an aspirant for presidential nomination, and the western man stood much in awe of him. One day Cousins joined a group of which Reed was the center. The lowan has a nervous habit of scratching the back, of his left hand with the fingers of his right. Observing this, Mr. Reed called out to him, “Did you ever have the itch, young man?” Inspired by desperation, the embarrassed young Hawkeye man shot this reply at the imperious Reed, “I’ve never had the presidential itch!” Reed’s fullmoon face turned crimson, but next day he had a long talk with the man from the west. From that time until Reed’s death the two were the closest friends. Cleveland Plain Dealer.