The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-22

anu tnereDy saved enough 70 Duy tnat httIe
fatherless girl calico dress.
The Apprenticeship Of Horace Greedy.
The following chapter in the life OF The
distinguished editor, is from 1.-THE Life ol
Horace Greely-By James PostOr," which
is shortly 10 be published by Mason Broth.
ers, New York.
II was fine spring morning in the year
1926, about 10 O'Clock, when Mr. Amos
Bliss, The manager, and one Of the proprie.
tors Of The Northern Spectator, "might have
been seen" IN the garden behind his house
planting potatoes. He heard the gate open
behind him, and, without turning or look.
ing around, became duly conscious OF the
presence Of boy. But the boys Of coun-
iry villages 60 iRio whomoever garden their
wandering fancy impels them, and suppos.
ing this boy 10 be one Of his neighbors, Mr..
Bliss continued his work and quickly forgot
that he was not alone. In few minutes,
he heard voice close behind him, strange
voice, high pitched and whining.
II said, "Are you the man that carries on
The printing office!"
Mr.. Bliss then turned, and resting upon
his hoe, surveyed the person who had thus
addressed him. He saw standing before
him boy about fiNeen years Of age, Of a
light, tall, and slender form, dressed in the
plain, farmers cloth OF the time, his gar.
ments cut with an utter disregard Of ele-
gance and fit. His ,rowsers were exceed.
ingly short and yoluminous; he wore no
stockings; his shoes were OF the kind de.
nominated "high.lows." and much worn
down; his hat was Of felt, one Of the old
stamp with 50 small brim, that II looked
more like a two quart measure inverted than
anything else; and il was worn far back on
the head; his hair was white, with a ,inge
of orange at lis exiremiiies, and il lay thin.
" upon broad forehead, and over head
Grockinp on shonllisr. which "ooniou ,vo
slender 10 support The weight OF a member
SO dispropor,ioncd TO tho general outline"
The general effect Of the figure and its
costume was so outre, they presented such
combination of The rustic and ludicrous,
and the appaIiion had como upon him SO
suddenly, that the amiable gardner could
scarcely keep from laughing.
He restrained himself, however, and re.
piled, "Yes, I'm the man."
Whereupon the stranger asked, "Don't
you wan, boy 10 learn the trade!"
"Well," said Mr.. Bliss, 1--WE have been
thinking il. Do you want 10 learn 10
printw .
"I've had some notion Of It, sir" said
The boy in a true Yankee fashion. as though
he had not been dreaming about II, and
longing for il for years.
Mr.. Bliss was both astonished and puz.
-as,onished that such fellow rs the
boy looked TO DO, should have ever thought
OF earning 10 print, and puzzled how 10
convey TO him an idea OF the absurdiiy Of
The notion. So, with an expression in his
couuienance, such as that OF tender heart.
cd dry goods merchant might be supposed
10 assume il hod carrier should apply for
a place in the lace department, he said
swell, my boy-but, you know, il takes
considerable learning TO be a prinier.-
Have you been TO school muohp'
ono" said the boy, 81 haven't had
much chance at school. I've read some."
"Wha, have you Iead!" asked Mr.. Bliss.
"Well, I've read some history, and
some travels, and a little Of most every
thing.n
"Whe,e do you livep'
"At Wes,haven."
"How did you come over"
"l came on foot"
"What's your name?
"Horace Greeley"
Now Il happened that Mr.. Amos Bliss
had been for the past three years an inspec.
Tor OF common schools, and in fulfilling the
duties Of his Understanding and licens-
ing ,eachers-he had acquired an uncom.
mou facility In asking questions, and fond.
ness for that exercise which men generally
for any employment in which they
suppose themselves 10 excel. The youth
before him was-in the language Of medi-
cal s,udenis-a "fresh subject" and the in
specior proceeded 10 Try all his skill upon
him, advancing from easy questions 10 hard
ones, up 10 those knoiiy problems with
which he had been wont Ito stump" can.
didaies for The Office Of teacher. The boy
was match for him. He answered every
question promptly, clearly and modestly.-
io could moi be "stumped" in The ordina.
ry school studies, and Of the books he had
read he could give q correct and complete
analysis. In Mr.. Bliss own account Of The
interview, he says: ION entering into con.
versaiion, and q partial examination OF ihs
qualification Of my new applicant, i 70.
CURED bot lille time 10 discover lhal he
possessed mind Of no common order, and
an acquired intelligence far beyond his
years. He had had but little opportunity
al the common school, but he said "he had
read some,p and what he had read he well
understood and remembered. In addition
10 the ripe intelligence manifested In one
30 young, and whose instruction had been
so limited, there was single mindedness,
a tru,hfuIness and common sense in what
he said, that nj once commanded my re.
gard" -
Afler half an hours conversation with
The boy, Mr.. Bliss intimaied that be thought
he would do, and told him 10 60 into tho
printing Office and talk 10 the foreman
Horace wen, 10 The printing Office. and
there his appearance produced an effect on
the tender minds Of the three apprentices
who wers nj work therein, which can be
much better imagined than described, and
which 10 most wildly remembered by the
two who survive. To the foreman Horace
himself, regardless certainly, OBJ