Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-09
Anecdote of :. Old Hickoryn
From Iiarpers' Magazine.

The following incident, which has been sent
us by correspondent in Albany, in this State
"for insertion" and preservation in "The
Drawer" we are informed may be relied upon
as perfectly true" The incident it may be
added, occurred in the year 1884, twenty years
ago, and was known to many of General Jack
sons friends at the time:
"A widow lady, in rather straitened circum.
stances, had been keeping clearinghouse in
Washington city, and during the general pros
tration OF active business, growing out of the
currency arrangements of that date, had be-
come in arrears and that she mightbe enabled
to pay some of her most urgent debts, sent such
of her furniture as she could possibly spare to
auction.
"The purchaser was a clerk in one of the
government Offices one of those public 'loafers,
of which there have always been too many in
Washington and elsewhere who. run in debt
as far as they can obtain credit, and without
ever intending to pay. The lady called on the
auctioneer, the auctioneer called on the official
who proposed to pay as soon as his months
salary was due.
"The month rolled round, and June sue
ceeded March, and September June, without
payment being made, to the great distress OF
the widow and uneasiness of the auctioneer.
After further application, the ofice-holder re.
fused absolutely to do any thing, alleging that
it was wholly out of his po,cer to pay. The
sum was too large for the auctioneer to pay
out of his own pocket, or he would have paid
it himself, so deeply did he feel for the poor
creditor.
In this perplexity he concluded to call upon
the President, and state the case, hoping that
he might suggest some mode of relief He
waited, therefore, upon General Jackson with
his narrative.
"When he had heard the story, the old
mans eyes fairly flashed FIRE.
" Have yon got Mr.. P's note ?" asked
Old Hickory
9" No. was the reply.
90 Call on him at once, then, and without
speaking of the purpose for which you want it,
get his negotiable note, and bring it here
The auctioneer accordingly asked P
for his note.
50 What do you want with the note?' asked
the oHice-holding loafter;' don't know of
anybody who would take it, But sitting down
and writing it, he added:
"'There it is-such as it's
" The auctioneer promptly returned to the
President and handed him the note. lie sat
down, without saying a word, and wrote on the
back of the paper:
"'Andrew Jackson ""a'
I" 'Now, sir, said the General, 'show Mr.
P the endorsement, and if he does not
pay it, just let me know it.
!" The first man the auctioneer met, as he en-
tered Gadsbys Hotel, was Mr.. P.
80 All how dye do?' said he; have you
passed the note?
Not yet said the other; but expect to,
without much trouble for have pot a resnon-
sible endorser upon it,
-a'" Nonsense, said P; who is it2'
"The endorsement was shown him. He
turned pale, then red; then begged the auc.
tioneer to wait few moments;' then went
out and in very short space of time returned
with the money, which was at once paid over
to the widow, to the qualification of all parties.
ut would not have been very strange if this
story should have transpired at once; nor would
it have been ue,y wrong if the Jeremy Diddler
had been turned neck and heels out of office;
but the following is the only sequel:
"P- kept quiet in relation to the subject
for years; but finally, on remark being made
in his presence that General Jackson never
endorsed for anybody whatever remarked that
'he himself knep better, for the General once
endorsed him; and he produced, as evidence,
the very note, to the great surprise of all who
were not acquainted with the circumstances of
the case.
"As party bitterness has died away, and in
view, lastly, of this subject let us take up the
old slogan:
"'Hurrah for Jacksonp"