Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-05-09
ANECDOTES OF DIR. CHAPMAN.

1HE late OOCIOr Ondpmdn, VI III -
delphis, mourned of many who will laugh
at his wit no more, has left behind him q
memory that will be transmitted through
generations. His wit was equal to his
skill. 1t was hard to say which did his
patients the most good, and as he always
gave his best of both at the same time,
they probably helped each other. Just
as it happened when one Of his patients
revolted at a monstrous dose OF physic.
and said:
why, Doctor, you don't mean such
dose as this for gentleman ?''
"Oh, no." said the Doctor. "it is for
Uorking men %
And good laugh is often as good as
medicine. With him the pleasantly
was as certain as the opportunity. Even
in eztremis it would come out Of him.
He was walking in the streets, and a
bakers cart. driven furiously, was about
to run him down. The baker reined up
suddenly, and just in time to spare the
Doctor, who instantly took off his hat,
and bowing politely exclaimed, "YOu
are the best bred man in town."
At the great gathering in Philadelphia
of the Medical Society of the United
States, our literary and distinguished DR..
Francis and DIR. Chapman met, as they
had done thousand times before, having
been friends for half a century. At a
large dinner party a pompous little DIR.
Mann. presuming that these gentlemen
we're strangers, said to DR.. Francis, "Let
me introduce you to Dr.. Chapman, the
head of our profession in Philadelphia. "
1t was too much for DR.. Chapman, who
retorted, DIR. Francis, let me introduce
you to DR.. Mann, the tail of our profes-
sion in Philadelphia" Little Mann left
the lions alone after that.
Very much against his will the Doctor
was made vestrymsn in his parish
church, and one of his duties was to pass
the plate for the contribution at the morn
ing service. He presented it with great
politeness and becoming gravity to the
gentleman at the head of the pew near
est the chancel, who was not disposed to
contribute. The faithful collector, moth
ing daunted, held the plate before him,
and bowed, as if he would urge him to
think the matter over and give sonstking,
little something. and refused tc go on
till he had seen his silver on the plate
In this way he proceeded down the aisle,
victimizing every man till he came to
the pew nearest the door, where sat an
aged colored woman. To his surprise
she laid down piece of gold. " Dear
me ?" said the astonished Doctor, you
must be Guinea niger" They never
troubled the Doctor to go around with
the plate after that.
DR.. Chapman was delegate 10 the
Convention of the Church, which was tc
hold its annual session at Pittsburgh
Party spirit ran high, and the members
both clerical and lay, being men of like
passions with other men, became more
excited and violent in word and tols
than was becoming so reverand and
grave body. When things had gone
on at this rate for two days, and were
nothing bettered, but rather grew worse
one of the most venerable members arose
and said, that he thought these scenes
were highly indeccrus. especially a.
they were enacted in the presence o
God, whose servants we all profess t.
be. DIR. Chapman, for the first time
now stood up, and with peculiar twist
ing of his words. and the profound atten
ton of the whole convention, remarked
"Mr. President, [ think so, too. 1t i
too bad. The members ought not to d.
so. But do not feel the force Of tha
last remark. The gentleman says, 'w'
ought not to conduct ourselves in thi
manner in the presence Of Cod now
sir, to my certain knowledge, He ha'
Lot been in this place since we came TO-
gether."
The rebuke was so just, so pertinent
that priest and people felt it alike, AM
the business of the convention was con
Quoted with decorum to its close.-Har
per's Magdzise.