The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-03-28

Above, reader, you have very fair represen-
tation of the " Razor Strop Man" 1t was our
intention to write brief notice of him. and what
we know of him ourselves; but, upon second
'hou9h MS, we conclude 10 give one of his own in
lmltabie temperance sketches, which, without paw
and without af1ectsiion. he delivers wherever no
thinks good can be done by the relation of his own
experience, in saving any of his fellow beings
from the vice of intemperance
Smllh is a shrewd, sensible, and industrious
man, and is endowed with warm and generous
heart, and his hand is ever open to relieve the
snHerihgs OF his fellow men-in private life he is
a socIabe, agreeable gentleman, possessing fine
vein of humor. There is some wonderful stories
told about his wealth, and his liberaIity, as well
as OF his drunkenness, when he first came to this
country-the last we know to be untrue When
he first struck our shores he was n sober upriubt
and steady man, and had not tasted liquor for sew
eral years previous. When we first saw him in
New York. in 1912, he had Just commenced his
present business, and from that first sight, we
liked the man he would stand on the corner of
Spruce and Nassau streets all day crying his
wares, and then go to any part of the city at
night TO attend one or the other of the numerous
Temperance meetings that were then held, where
we were taught to respect him for his benevolent
and philanthropc disposition Since then, we have
not lost sight of him. lie has travelled in vari-
Gus parts of the Union, and in all places kindly
received and warmly welcomed; and the press,
with which we are connected, has always kept
him present to our mind, and always recorded
some act which raised him in our esteem. To
show what he is as much as possible by his own
acts, rather than by words Of ours, we will here
relate an incident which occurred in Boston. A
lady had lost pocket book for which reward
of ten dollars was offered-Smith found and re-
turned it. When the reward was rendered IN
him he said no, but pointed the lady TO do
serving object Of charity, who would be benefited
by the money rendered to him Our comment
certainly is unnecessary. Another instance or
his generosity is recorded. Shortly after the late
fire in New York and as we have an opportunity
Of giving the fact in his own words we do ca
We copy from the New York Organ:
BosTON, July 81, 1916.
To The Committee IN behalf Of The sufferers of
the late Fire
OENTLEMEN-t herewith send your thronrb
Mr.. j. w Oliver. twenty-i dollars. being me
mite for the relief Of the sufferers by the late de
astrous and extensive con6agration which sven,
over portion of your city. have, in DAYS cone by
spent more in three months for louot. which co1.
sumed my peace. ny health, and nv resnectabiI
ity; and should indeed feel ungrateful now. that
by temperance and perseverance, have remained
NY health, and succeeded in accnmul,tino !, snr
iicency 10 render me and my family comfortable
did turn deaf ear to my SUFFERING rsllowma,
You will, therefore, accept the amount sneci6od
with the assurance, that so long as have INV
health and strength, there will ne ." a few more
left Of the same Sort for similar emergencies. TO
those who have suffered by the late calamity
would say, be of good cheer, avoid the infoxicat-
ing bow and persevere. and prosperity will AGAIN
surround you-which is the sincere nraver of
HENRY SMITH.
The Razor Strop Man.
We find, however, that we are ,ransgress,oo
our limits, although we would not be able to do
Smith justice if ne wrote volume and We
must conclude to make way for portion Of bis
own experience, as related in his own earnes,