The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-04-20
A NICE LITTLE BOY.

NtSG DOhs
How he Secured che Influence of Horace |
greeley and Samuel j. Tildcn--Honesiy
Its Own Reward, and Virtue the Best
Policy.
When the New York constitutional
convention met in 1867 Luther Caldwell
was elected clerk. Soon after he had
taken his seat shrewd little shaver from
Brooklyn approached him and asked for
the appointment of messenger boy.
Caldwell recognized him as former
page in the Assembly. The boy said he
was having a hard time of it, and if
Caldwell would give him the position it
would be big thing for him. "But,"
answered the clerk, "the appointment
lies with Mr.. Wheeler, the president.
"What can l do to reach him 2" the boy
inquired.
"The best thing you could do would
be to secure the influence of two promi-
nent members of the convention. II
they should ask your appointment, Mr..
Wheeler would surely grant it,
But how can 1 fetch them2 I
don't know any of them," said the boy.
"And who are the best men for me to
tackle2"
al SACltllutu Juc ReUlHl clerk,
"now you ask me too much. You must
use your own judgment and depend
upon your own exertions."
As the clerk entered the convention
on the following morning he saw the
Hon. Horace Greeley in his seat writing
busily. AT his side stood the Brooklyn
boy, with snow-w white blotter. When
Mr.. Greeley finished his first page of
manuscript down went the blotter. A
little white fist rubbed it over the ink.
The page was removed and clean sheet
laid in its place by the same little hand.
The great newspaper editor looked up
and saw an innocent, boyish face gazing
upon him in admiration, seemingly only
too happy to be of service to him. As
fast as the sheets were filed, the nimble
fingers applied the blotter, and finally
produced envelopes already stamped for
the use of the great man.
That afternoon Mr.. Greeley arose and
said: "Mister Clerk, who has the ap-
pointment of the messenger boys in this
convention ?"
"The president of the convention,
.Mr. VIM. A. Wheeler" was the reply.
"Well," continued Horace, here is
bright little boy, who is one of the
incest and most useful little boys that
ever saw. Most little boys spend theii
time skylarking or playing marbles, but
this little boy is an industrious and ser
viceable little boy, and want to have
him appointed q messenger.
The clerk said that if Mr.. Greeley
would state his wishes to Mr.. Wheeler
in writing he would doubtless CRAFTY
him by the appointment. At the close
of the days session, the boy shook let
ter from Mr.. Greeley in Caldwell's face
saying: "Well, I've nailed one Of the
old roosters. Now I'm going for an
other one."
On the following day the boy appear
ed at the desk of the Hon. Samuel j
Tilden, blotter in hand. Uncle Samm,
was polished off in the most approved
style. The boy was unremitting in hi
attentions, and Sammy was wonderful,
pleased. Just before the adjournmen
he arose and began to twirl his glasse
in his fingers. "Ah, Mr.. Clerk" h
: said, "who is vested with the appoint
, , ment OF messengers in this convention?
"Mr. Wheeler" was the answer.
7 "Ah !" Uncle Sammy uttered. "Well
l here is little fellow whose refined man
: ncrs and womanly face have both inter
oetod and attracted Inc. Indeed, ma
: say that they have quite won my heart
I should like to have him appointed
messenger"
: The clerk suggested that letter fror
: a gentleman of such high standing g
i the bar would have great weight wit
i ! Mr.. Wheeler, despite Mr.. Tilden's polit
! 4 cal antagonism. That evening the littl
= fellow with the womanly face shoe
> Uncle Sammy's letter of recommends
u u tion in Caldwells face, shouting "I'y
J nailed the other old rooster. Now yo
= fix things with old man Wheeler, an
: then I'll be all right"
: The clerk handed Mr.. Wheeler til
y " letters. The boy got the appointment
! but he managed to get assigned to SON
u trivial post outside the chamber, an
y both Uncle Sammy and Cncle Horat
frequently wondered what became (
= = the nice little boy with refined manne
. . and womanly face.
9 Such is the story as told by Clel
q Caldwell recently. He adds the be
y was afterwards elected to the Assemb
10 from Brooklyn.-NeaO York Erpres