Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-12
THE SHABBY YOUNG MAN.

SHABBY botNo WAN.
Brooklyn, which now forms an elegant and
retired suburb of New York, about the end of
the last century consisted Of few country
houses scattered Ike n sort Of hamlet along the
banks Of the Hudson, and built by those
wealthy citizens whom fortune enabled and
taste prompted to retire from the crowd and
hustle Of the town The families resident there
were all Of the same grade in society; their
habits and pursuits were similar. The greater
part were more or less connected; and, as short
distances produced greater separation in those
days than long ones do in ours, the little com
munity stood in genteel isolation from the
neighboring city, lived on its own money and
importance, maintsined colonial etiquette as
established in the time Of Governor Keith, and
believed itself Of great consideration in the
world Among the old gentlemen who looked
after their gardens and greenhouses there, got
their letters and papers once week from
town, and spent their time in discussing the
War Of Independence, then but a few years
over0 there was none who stood higher in his
own esteem than Sedley Small, ESQ.
His family had been among those early set
tiers who formed the English town Of New
York out Of the Dutch colony of New Amster-
dam, little more than century before the Pc
riod of our story. His father was one of the
first booksellers in the city. He made busi-
ness for himself, which his son inherited, and
Sedley Small, Esq, had gone though an easy,
prosperous life, with no struggle, no difficult
except in his own opinion. He had married
well, and perhaps wisely. His wife was the
daughter Of a fourishing merchant; had a
dowry equal TO his expectations; understood
all manner Of colonial housekeeping, from the
making Of buckwheat cakes to the securing of
old silk gowns, which, however increditable to
the ladies of modern Brooklyn, was then the
mode on the banks Of the Hudson. Mr.. Small
had brought up sons and daughters with as
little trouble as any family man could expect.
He had portioned and settled them sll-some
in the city, some in the neighboring townships
and gathered them round him in Thanksgiv-
ing week, the anniversary of American Inde-
pendence, his own birthday, and such like
seasons Of high celebration. Mr. Small had
lived in troubled and changeful times, but got
through them with little risk or loss. He was
not a man to peril much for the public veal.
Whatever was uppermost had his support for
the time, though he never went further on any
side than friendly neutrality. When the tea
from Sandy Hook was thrown into the river,
he thought it dangerous proceeding When
Sears Association declared for Independence,
and General Lee with his Connecticut militia,
marched into New York, Mr.. Small considered
the Union was decidedly right. When the
Britieh troops took possession, and the Ameri-
cans were defeated at Long Island, it was his
opinion that rebellion never prospered. But
when the Peace of Paris was signed, when the
patriot soldiers were returning TO their homes
and farms, and Washington was taking leave
of his officers in front Of Francs Hotel, Mr.
Small occupied very respectable place in the
crowd of spectators and said it was the proud
est moment OF mis- life.
With this quiet imitation Of the Vicar Of
Bray, Sedley Small. Esq, had come to repose,
not under his laurels, for he was never the man
to win them but in his handsome country
house, with everything that dol''-s could pur-
chase about him, and in a highly satisfactory
state Of mind regarding himself. e doings,
In
men who have never tried the strife, Mr.. Small
had a mighty admiration of success. With
him il was the proof Of talent and the evidence
of desert. Men who had achieved power,
place, or popularity were the saints of his CAL
endar and at the head of them all stood Ben
jamin Franklin. Whether because the print
ing business, which the famous doctor had
followed in his unknown days, was in some
degree related to bookselling, or that the light
ning-conduetor, which kept his house safe in
thunder storms, had made Mr.. Small sensible
of the service done to the world by the Phila-
delphian philosopher, certain il was that, next
TO himself, Franklin occupied the highest place
in Mr. Small's esteem He quoted his maxims
on every possible occasion; their sound worldly
wisdom cast reflected glory on the prudence
of the ex-boOkseller He kept his com plete
works, bound in morocco with gilt edges, in
his best bookcase; and showed with special
pride a copy Of his FIRST publication, the essay
on Liberty and Necessity" printed in Lon
don, in 1925. All Mr.. Small's friends were
scquainted with the curious chance by which
the now highly -prized pamphlet had come into
his hands. He was in the habit of rehearsing
it regularly to every visitor at his house, and
also that the essay had remained on one Of hi:
lumber shelves fully twenty years before be
knew it was Franklins. That was the first
edition ever printed There was not a copy sc
early to be found in all the Union.
Together with all the treasures Of his house
e. hs.h IL
winter day in the beginning Of 1889, when or
unusually keen frost had made the Hudson ii
for siedge travelling, and down that crystal
highway the whole North and West were pour
ing to New York, to see the meeting of the frs
American Congress, and General Washington
sworn into the ofics of President. Among tn,
gathering members, Franklin was expected
Philadel phia had elected him once more
though full Of years as well rs honors; the maj
Of so much work and fame began TO feel hi
energies flag under the burden Of age, anC
talked Of retiring from public life 1t wa
known that Franklin was to come direct from
Albany, where he had bean visiting an olt
friend. The sledges were to stop at Brooklyn
for the accommodation Of passengers. Their
was yet day TO spare before the meeting o
Congress- and Mr.. Small was not only mos
forward in the crowd which assembled to NEE
the philosopher, but, by dint Of influential In
PRODUCTION and hospitable Importantly, con
trived to make him accept an invitation l.
spend that evening at his house, and procee,
to New York early on the following day.
The entire ellie Of Mr.. SmslPs circle wer
gathered to dinner that evening. The maste
Of the mansion sat in triumph resembling
that Of the Roman eonqueror, with spoils an,
captiyes following his chariot. The quiet
sensible old gentleman who had signed tn
peace Of Paris, and won himself a nam
throughout the world, was at times half amuse
and half provoked at the boundless fuss mad
about him: but BENJAMIN Franklin was accui
toned TO such doings; he let things take thei
course and the dinner went OF as other sho
dinners have done before and since, till th
gentlemen joined the ladies in the drawing
room, and Mr.. Small took the opportunity
display his library, which opened conyenientl
from that apartment. The best Of his bool
had been brought with him when he retire
from business, and few collections IN the Unite
States could equal his at the time: Frankli
admired the books and their bindings, Al
plauded Mr.. SmslI's taste till that gentlemai
being in flush Of enthusiasm, which the clsr'
4 -. r.