Page:The autobiography of a Pennsylvanian.djvu/504

 (with John P. Elkin) under three state administrations, entertained a few of us at the Harrisburg Club, with his recollections of Senator Quay. He said:

“Quay was the most wonderful man I have ever known. He understood men thoroughly. He never gave orders. He had no regard for money save as a means to an end. There were times in his life when he was penniless. He was entirely without vanity. He had certain veins of superstition. Once in Florida a rattlesnake crept out from a hole. I threw a stone at it. He checked me and told me never to strike a snake. Then he explained to me that once a long while ago the Seminoles and the rattlesnakes, after long hostilities, made a treaty of peace. No Seminole will ever strike a rattlesnake, and no snake since has bitten a Seminole. ‘I never strike a snake,’ said he, ‘and don't you do it.’

“In the sununer of 1895, I tried to prevail on him not to begin his struggle with Governor Hastings. I pointed out to him that he was firm in his seat in the senate for several years, that Hastings' strength would wane as his term neared its end, that the mayors of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the corporations at that time were hostile. He said to me: ‘There is no fault in your reasoning, but I must make the fight. I often discard my reason and follow my intuitions.’

“He took me down to St. Lucie in Florida with him several times. There he entertained the Earl of Newcastle and his brother, Lord Hope. He was an admirable host. While there was never any ostentatious show of attention, he always quietly saw to it that his guest had the best boat, and the best fishing tackle, and the pleasant seat. On one occasion, while we were fishing together at Atlantic City, a man of some distinction asked to go along. ‘Are you a good sailor? It is apt to be rough out there, and when we are once anchored, we have to stay,’ the Senator quietly suggested. The man came in a white shirt, and after the boat had been fixed about seven miles out, Ben Sooy went back 484