The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1870-12-08
A borrowed Dress.Coat.

I
cenees in the December Galaxy we
take the following good story:
''In 1925, while in Washington, I
received an invitation from Mr.. Clay
to dinner. Two days afterwards the
porter of Gadsby's hotel, where I was
staying, said to me, 81 hope you will
accept Mr.. Clay's invitation, sir."-
I said, "How did you know 1 had an
invitation from Mr.. CIay?" "Oh, sir,
the letter came through the Office, and
we all know Mr.. CIay's handwriting. !"
He repeated HIS hope that Would 90,
and added, "Gentlemen sometimes
come to Washington on business
without bringing their dress-coats
with them. Possibly you have for
gotsten yours; if youdid, you would
do me a great favor by accepting one
l haven't worn, and which would fit
you nicely" The porter, who was
evidently an observing and sagacious
man, had OWNED the truth. | not
only had not brought a dress-coat, but
l did not possess one to bring, and was
regretting the necessity of declining
the invitation for that reason. But
the porter urged his offer with such
kindness and delicacy that l accepted
both the Coat-and the invitation.
"Gen. Jackson in 1928 succeeded
Mr.. Adams as President. From that
time until 1910, during the admins
tratiOns of jackson and Van Buren. a
period of twelve years, I was not
again in Washington. In the latter
year, upon the election of Gen. Harri-
son, again visited the city, and in
passing through the Treasury Depart
ment l encountered my old friend
Brady, the thoughtful porter, whose
coat had worn to Mr.. Clay's dinner.
with whom l exchanged very hearty
greeting. He informed me that he
had received elerkship in the de
partment from Gen. jackson, but as
the ''spoils belonged to the victors''
he now expected to lose his place.
After parting with him I went to the
Secretary of the Treasury and related
to him the peculiar obligation under
which had formerly placed myself
to the friendly porter, adding, what
was quite sure he would find to be
true, that he was very capable and
faithful clerk. The Secretary was
amused at the nature of the obligation
l had incurred years before, and cheer
fully consented to retain my friend in
his situation.
"In l843, while again at Washing
ton, the Hon. D. eD Barnard, our rep
from Albany, invited me
to dinner. His 4mess' consisted of the
Hon. John Grpig, of Canandaigua, the |
Hon. Henry Van Rensselaer,, of Og-
densburg, and the Hon. Jared Inger-
soil, of Philadelphia very select !
and refined circle, ali being gentlemen |
of high social position. When the
dessert was brought on, it being an ex-
ceedingly hot day, Mr.. Greig suggest
ed that we should move to the veranda
where we could enjoy the cool breeze
from the hay. In going from the din,
ing-roOm to the Veranda 1 discovered
in the person arranging the table my
Old friend Brady, with whom 1 cor
daily shook hands. l learned from
the brief question put to him that he
was the host of that house, and that
these members of Congress were his
guests. AS soon as he retired I COM
nenced relating the story of the coat
which my fastidiOus friend, Mr.. Bar.
lard, attempted to interrupt, from a
sense of horror that a friend whom he
had honOred with an invitation to
iinner should voluntarily confess that
he had worn a hotel keepers dress
,oat to a dinner with the Secretary of :
State. Mr.. IngersOll's susceptibilities
jeemed also to be disturbed, but Mr..
1reig, one Ofsnature's nOblemen,' and 1,
Mr.. Van Rensselaer, (the latter an ac-
son of the 'Old PatrOOny /
md son-in-law of the late John A.
King. enjoyed the story immensely,
md insisted upon having Brady call
ID in to give his version of the Incl !
lent. My old friend remained through |
everal Administrations in the Treas
Try Department, and died, fifteen years
go, extensively kuown and greatly re-
pected among the citizens Of Wash
ngtOn. Ii