The Arkansas Advocate

FOR THE ADVOCATE.

Mr. Editor—I take the liberty of introducing myself to your notice as a newspaper scribbler, and as such I am held in much esteem by your brethren of the type in different sections of our country. As nothing succeeds better than sticking to the truth, particularly in making our first debut among strangers, I shall offer you no matter for your useful columns but what is strictly founded on facts, and as such you will please to receive my first specimen, entitled

"THE MEMBER OF CONGRESS."

Great men, like comets, are eccentric in their courses, and formed to do extensive good by modes unintelligible to vulgar minds. Hence, like those erratic orbs in the firmament, it is their fate to be misrepresented by knaves and miscomprehended by fools; to be abused for all the good they actually do, and to be accused of ills with which they have nothing to do, neither in design nor execution.

It was at that season of the year when the inhabitants of a country village retire to the most pleasant situations of their habitations, to inhale the salubrious air wafted by the evening breeze, that I sat reclining in my chair under the cool shade of the village tavern portico. Feeling fatigued from the day's labor as the Dominie of the village, I felt a greater desire to nod than to listen to the chit chat of country politicians. As I lay thus in the half-way embraces of morpheus, I was suddenly awoke from my slumber by the cry he is come—the Honorable — is arrived. Having often heard this gentleman's name and talents spoken of by gentlemen at the tavern, I felt a strong desire to see him. I therefore mingled with the gazing crowd, but what was my astonishment when my host pointed out to me a plain looking little man, with his hands behind his back, walking up the street, to be the "Honorable "

From the accounts which I had heard of great men, I was at once prepossessed in his favor. His unassuming deportment put me in mind of the great Doctor Johnson as also that of many other great men. On his arrival at the tavern, I had the pleasing satisfaction of being introduced to him. His salutations were of that nature as to embolden the most humble man in the company to approach him without the fear of being treated with that coolness which those who consider themselves great folks, generally observe towards the poorer part of their species. The squeeze of his salutation was not felt by me as one of cold indifference, but one which was to be the forerunner of a lasting friendship.

The next thing to be done by the villagers and the people of the surrounding country was to manifest their good wishes for him by inviting him to a most splendid public dinner, which was prepared by my host. It would have done honor to the host and hostess of the Boar's Head, a tavern much famed in ancient time for the luxury of its fare; but, reader, it was none too good for so good a man. Nothing was left undone by the people to make the day a happy one to their distinguished guest. After several patriotic toasts were drank, the company broke up in the greatest harmony and good order.

My friend (for such I shall ever call this great man) left the village the next morning, and I did not see him again until the summer of the following year. It was at a little village on the bank of the Mississippi, in the State of Missouri, that I had the pleasing satisfaction of again meeting with him. Our second meeting was not like the meeting of two who had met but once before in their lives. No; although we were the sons of different climes, our meeting proved that a man is a man in any country.

Instead of devoting his time to political views, his mind was taken up with the beautiful scenery which the surrounding country afforded, and I became his sole companion in his visits to those places which contained any portion of natural curiosity. That enemy to scribbling, the ague, compels me lay my pen aside for the present.

An ARKANSAS DOMINIE.

Phillips county.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]