Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1867-07-19

what he says as the way he says it, that
makes it remarkable. He is self made
man, an original thinker and perhaps the
best informed man now in public life in
this country. His parents were among
the poorest people of Massachusetts, and
he never had but seven days schooling
yet, at the age of twenty-one he had read
a vast number of books, mastered the Eu-
cid, and was well versed in philosophy
and science. He read the Bible through
in single winter by the light of pine
torches in his wood chopping cabin. He
read much and reflected on all he read.
His grandfather on his mothers side was
minister and had small but well select
ed library, and to this he was indebted In
his early youth for much valuable infor-
nation. Mr.. Wade said the most difficult
thing to solve he ever met with was Al
zebra. he was working on farm when
he commenced studying it.; he had no one
to show him, and he read it over fifty
times without understanding it. Often
when following the pillow, he thought for
hours over the mysterious signs and let
tiers, until they seemed as large as his hand.
He had read them SO often they were con-
stantly before his eyes as clearly as if they
were painted upon canvass but he could
make nothing out of them. Gradually he
began to comprehend them, and he has
not forgot the propositions to this day he
then solved. Mr.. Wade is still hard stu
dent, and what he studies is thoroughly
mastered before he lays it down A single
example will suffice to show his applica-
ton Last summer we were with him
when he was studying C8sars campaigns;
he had "Napoleon's Life of the great
General" and, although the Senator rose
early and went to his study, and continued
there until night, he did not average
more than tw enty or thirty pages per day.
Sometimes he would read page two or
three times over, then all the battle were
studied and compared with other authori-
ties, bridges were carefully measure d and
distances calculated, maps and charts con-
suited, the notes of the author examined
and compared with the commentaries and
everything done that might give clear
and comprehensive idea of the subject
under investigation. The habits of the
Senator are peculiar. He rises at daylight
summer and winter, and makes up the
fires in the house; then he goes to his
office, makes the fire, sweeps it out, dusts
off the furniture, and goes to the stable to
look after his horses. When he returns
he wakes up tho family, and then goes TO
his study and reads until called to break
fast After breakfast he takes walk of
two miles, and returns to his study and
reads until three o'clock in the afternoon,
when the mail comes in. He goes to the
post office, gets his own mail, and opens
and reads it. All letters to be answered at
once are laid on his table and the rest tied
in bunch and put into drawer "requir-
ing attention" sts5 <sfs4 s+ g
AT 6 o'clock each day Mr. Wade finishes
reading his papers, and goes to his supper.
He has not eaten any dinner for twenty
years contending that two meals day are
enough for any one to eat, and that he al
ways feels better when he only eats twice.
The rest of the family eat three times per
day Mr.. Wade cannot eat anything
cooked in grease, and the sight of butter
almost turns his stomach They have of
ten tried to deceive him by putting small
particles of butter in his victuals, but he
usually detects the presence of grease,
and refuses 10 eat. After supper he walks
two miles and retures to his office, which
he locks up at dusk and joins his family
He retires early, seldom sitting up even in
summer later than 10 o'clock. !. For more
than twenty years Mr.. Wade has taken his
daily walk of four miles, and 1t is this habit
that enables HIM to walk so much in Wash
ington.
The Senator is not rich man, but has
competence which he made by hard toll at
his profession, and by saving each year q
part of his salary. His income of seven
or eight thousand year is all he wants, as
1t enables him to live comfortably and
entertain his friends, of whom he is very
fond, and always has some of them around
him. =
Mr.. Wade was born at Feeding Hills,
Massachusetts, in 1900, and is therefore 81
years of age; but he is so hale, hearty and
active that he does not look day over go
He has not gray hair in his head, his
mind is clear and more retentive than it
ever was, and he can still shoot rifle with
almost any man in the State He frequent
ly goes hunting and fishing and is very
fond of the society of sportsmen. The
impression has prevailed that he was q
coarse, ill-grained, hard hearted man but
never was there a greater mistake in the
world. When in debate he is harsh and
unmerciful to his opponent, but when ''off
duty " there is no more genial, companion
able, or agreeable man than Ben. Wade.
he lS In every sense OF the word an hon.
est man, and despises a coward or trick
ster. When enraged, he swears furiously,
but is always ready to apologize or repair
any wrong he may unintentionally do. He
is strictly temperate man, and has never
been known in his whole life to be under
the influence of liquor. He has been a
Senator at Washington for seventeen years
and was four years a State Senator, and
for several years State Judge. His great
talent and unswerving honesty has made
him the leader of his party in the Nation
al Capital, and last winter he was chosen
President of the Senate, and acting Vice
President of the United States. In the
event of the death or removal of President
johnson, Mr. W AIDE would succeed him in
Office. His well known ability and lone
experience in public affairs has qualified
| him to fill any position, and he has host
of friends all over the Union. Many think
he will be nominated for the Presidency
in 1868, and if he is he win make strong
run, and we will give him our. vote witt
pleasure, for we really know of no on,
who would make better President thar
simple hearted, stout-minded, genial ant
honest old Ben. Wade.
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