Amador Ledger-Dispatch, Volume 1902, Number 5, 5 September 1902 — FARMER JOE'S SPEECH. [ARTICLE]

FARMER JOE'S SPEECH.

Xt Wm Short, bat It Crnabed the

Bnmptioaa Youngster.

"You may get the better of an opponent in debate," said an old time orator, "by sheer force of convincing argument—that is to say, you may score and win oa points— but if you want to put your man down and out at a single coup just make him ridiculous. Oily succeed in doing this, and all the logic of the other side will explode In vacancy like so many blanfc cartridges.

"Once when I was serving a term up the state in the legislature a bumptious youngster who had just been introduced was- laboring through his maiden effort. He was attacking a man who was his senior by at least a score and ten years and thought to make a hit by referring to him as 'that little graybeard from Herkimer.' Rymal of Niagara rose to reply. He was an old timer, who never spoke unless he had something to say and so was always sure of an attentive audience. Farmer Joe, as he was called, got up Blowly, gradually expanded himself to his full height, of 6 feet 4, thrust his left hand behind the tails of a capacious and somewhat shabby frock coat, held up the index finger of his right hand, cleared his throat ominously and solemnly began: " 'Mr. Speaker, the honorable gentleman who has just spoken hns never read Pope's essay. If he had, he would remember that the "soul's the standard of the man." And, sir, fifty such souls as that of the honorable gentleman who preceded me could be put into the skull of a flea and have as much room there as two frogs in Lake Superior.'

"He didn't have to say more. The chamber went Into a convulsion of laughter which lasted for several minutes after the tall farmer had resumed his seat. As for the youugster, he dU! the best he could. He wriggled about, got red in the face, tried to look unconcerned and kept his mouth closed during the balance of the session."— New York News.