> critically surveyed him and his outfit. One of them, looking first at

the sign that hung over the pack, then at Wolcott, and finally at the

donkey, ventured:



"Say, stranger, which of you is Ed?"





"Buck" Kilgore, of Texas, who once kicked open the door of the House of

Representatives when Speaker Reed had all doors locked to prevent the

minority from leaving the floor and thus escaping a vote, was noted for

his indifference to forms and rules. Speaker Reed, annoyed by members

bringing lighted cigars upon the floor of the House just before opening

time, had signs conspicuously posted as follows: "No smoking on the

floor of the House." One day just before convening the House his eagle

eye detected Kilgore nonchalantly puffing away at a fat cigar. Calling a

page, he told him to give his compliments to the gentleman from Texas

and ask him if he had not seen the signs. After a while the page

returned and seated himself without reporting to the Speaker, and Mr.

Reed was irritated to see the gentleman from Texas continue his smoke.

With a frown he summoned the page and asked:



"Did you tell the gentleman from Texas what I said?"



"I did," replied the page.



"What did he say?" asked Reed.



"Well--er," stammered the page, "he said to give his compliments to you

and tell you he did not believe in signs."