Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-19
Anecdotes Of Dean Richv,ona

Richmond lost his father when but a child
and he was thrown upon his own resources
with mother to support, at an age when more
fortunate children are acquiring the rudments
of an education. He engaged in the business of
salt boiling in Syracuse when mere lad or Mt
least some years before attaining his majority:
and while in the prosecution of his business he
met with an adventure at Saeketts Harbor. the
result of which illustrated some of the peculiair-
ties of his character. He was in the habit of
visiting the lake towns on Ontario both on tho
American and Canadian side, in the prosecution
of the salt trade. Being detained at the above
named port then Familiarity known as "Sack-
etts," and justly regarded as one of the most
dissipated places on the lrOntier-always inlest-
ed with men of vicious inclinations and profit.
gaze habits--he had occasion to observe the
knayish devices Of a gang of sharpers, who
made it point to plumber every unSuspecting
man whom they could entiCe into their tolls
Among their victims was tin peder from
Vermont. They had invegled him into a
game at cards known as "three I'M and
three off" that is, three cards constituted
a hand and three points the game. They soon
won all his money, the contents of his pedler
wagon, and the horse and wagon as we'll The
poor pedler, utterly ruined, was in despair, and
being stranger in the neighborhood, and des-
titute of resources, he knew not which wav TO
turn. But relief came from quarter wholly
unexpected. Young Richmond, seeing the dis
treSs OF tue pedler, and penetrating the tricks nv
which he had been defraudcd proposed TO take
his hand in the game. The sharpers, delighted
at the prospect OF fresh victim, eagerly accept
ed his proposition, and set to work in earnest nj
their scheme OF plumber But they had a differ
ent person to deal with from the unsopbisticnted
vender of tinware. The gamblers found them
selves oyermatched, aud the result Of the game
was the recovery OF all the property of which
they had robbed the pedler. Richmond then
in the presence Of the gamblers, restored TO the
astonlshed man his horse and wagon and entire
stock of goods, having taken from him a solemn
promise never again to play cards for money
or TO gamble in any mode whatever
Nearly a quarter Of century alterward he
was accostod in the streets of Syracuse by n
well.to do looking stranger, who represented
himself TO have been the tin pedler who was
eNtrlcated from ruin through the dextcritv
hrmuess, and generosity of young Richmond
The grateful man informed his astonished lis
tener that the promise given at "Sackett'sV bad
never been violated, that he had been thrifty
aud constantly prosperous, and that he was then
of ample means, aud prOtlered any pecuninry
aid that his benelactOr might be willing 10
accept.
Richmond was man of quick perception
happy in retort, with a sententious epigram.
matte mode of saying things, which gave them
great force. When Mr.. Lincoln passed tbronUL
the state on his way to Washington in the
winter Of 1861, Mr.. Richmond provided a spec.
ial train for him at Buffalo and accompanied
thc party 10 Alohhy' Az syracuse Mr. Greeley
joined the company. Mr.. Lincoln, who had n
keen appreciation Of original and peculiar men
was much amused by the occasional pleasant
passages between Richmond and Greeley.
new sleeping coach Of elegant appointments
and high finish was placed at the disposal of tbe
president elect The superb palace cars of the
present day had not been invented, but this com.
Portable coach, with les elevated roof, spacious
and complete accommodations, and perfect ven
tllation, was o great Improvement upon tho
close, low-roofed, cheaply furnished, and dingy