The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-03-31
WASHINGTON IRVING.
An Unpublished Story About the Great Author,

From the New York independently
A master mechanic named Williams,
residing near Sunyside, had occasion to
enlarge his force. There came to him
among others a native of Scotland-a
man, apparently of frugal, industrious
habits and of quite ordinary education.
Conversation incidentally turning one
day upon Scotland and its distinguished
novelist Sir Walter Scott, the laborer
referred to took occasion to compare him
with Washington Irving, quite to the
latter's advantage. Williams, thereupon
remarked to his companion that Irving
residing in the neighborhood "a fact he
had not before known: that he fire.
quently passed the place in his daily
walks; and, as he knew him well. when
occasion offered he woald introduce him
A few days after Williams was called to
an adjoining town for few days, leav-
ing his man to continue the work in his
absence, no opportunity having in the
interim been afforded to secure to him
the much desired introduction to Mr..
Irving While Williams was away, Mr..
Irving as he had not done for some days
previous, chanced to pass by the place
where this man was employed. Mr.. Ir
wing, confronting him, with true gentle
manly instincts, raised his hat. and the
laboYer as gallantly responded. Being
in a communicative mood, Mr.. Irving
passed some observations upon the state
of the weather; to which he received
very respectful reply, although the labor
er was totally unaware that he was ad-
dressing Washington Irving. Mr. Irving
noticing his manner of pronunciation,
remarked: "Ah! you are a Scotchman
a countryman of the worlds greatest
novelist. l should think you would
highly esteem the honor" 'I thank
you, SIR" returned the laborer, s.for
your highly complimentary reference to
my distinguished countryman: but /
must beg leave to differ with you in
your estimate of his power and position.
There are seveai, to my mind, who can
successfully compete for such distinc-
ton with the author of ''Kenilworth.
''Name novelist" said Mr.. Irving,
"whom you consider as ranking above
Sir Walter Scott. 81 consider Wash
ington Irving to be Endeniably his su-
perior," was the response. "Pshawl
you are wholly mistaken" said Mr. Irv-
ing washington Irving never wrote
anything at all to be compared to this"
quoting favorite passage from Scott's
most interesting work. II concede the
beauty of the passage to which you re-
fer, rejoined the laborer; but it becomes
quite common place when compared to
this" quoting one of the most charm
ing selections that can be found in Irv-
ings works. ''That may have some
little merit attached to it." responded
NJ. Irving; "but it becomes quite pro-
sale, when ones attention is called to
this" making another quotation from
the author he was defending 'Again
beg leave to differ" returned his oppo-
nent. proceeding to specify the respect
in which be considered the selection he
had made from Irving's works far supe-
rior to that which Irving had made from
SCOTS and so the intellectual battle pro-
gressed each valiantly defending the
author whom he had championed, and
each by argument, by comparison, and
by abundant illustration seeking to prove
the accuracy of his views and the cor
reetness of his position, and for every
Oliver from Mr.. Irving the laborer re-
turned Roland. Both of the contest
ants became highly excited, and both
were oblivious of the rapid passing of
time. 1t was not until warned by the
approach of twilight that the laborer
realized how completely he had been
drawn from his proper work and how
many hours had been passed in earnest
conversation. Mortified that he should
have thus been led away, he refused to
continue it, though Mr.. Irving was ex-
ceedingly desirous of so doing. About
the middle of the forenoon of the fol-
lowing day Mr. Irving again appeared
and desired to continue the argument;
but the laborer, knowing that be had on
the previous occasion employed time be-
longing to his employer for his own use,
refused to comply with the request, say
ing ''that his time was not his own and