The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-12-23
A Man In q Thousand.

A story is told of Hon. Charles B
Farwell, Congressman-elect from the
Third district, which goes to prove that
there is such thing as gratitude and
that even in politics all is not utter
selfshness and lust for power. This will
strike the average wording in the light
of a revelation, and doubts may arise as
to the accuracy of the statement, which,
however, will be removed on learning
the fact upon which the extraordinary
assertion is made.
Several years ago, when Mr.. Farwell
was serving a Chicago constituency III
Washington, seedy young man called
on him one bitterly cold and windy
morning He was thinly clad, and the
pinched expression on his face betokened
privation, pain or suffering. The visi-
tor introduced himself as Herman
Hansen. He said he was Swede
that he was out of employment,
and that unless he could obtain as
sistance he and his wife must starve.
He said they had pawned all their cloth
ing excepting what was on their backs,
and had sold all of the household effects
upon which money could be raised.
Everything was gone and they were en-
tirely destitute. The young mans APP
peal touched Mr.. Farwell's heart and he
gave him $50 Hansen was overwhelmed
with gratitude. He had not expected
any such amount and was astonished be-
yond measure. To prove that he was
not an impostor he stated the real object
of his visit, which was to ask Mr.. Far
well to use his influence to get him en-
ployment as sail-maker in the navy de-
partment. This Mr.. L. did, and soon
afterward Hansen was transferred to the
African squadron or some other far dis
tant post of duty. The circumstance
had passed entirely from Mr.. Farwell's
recollection, but one day, while the cam
paign was in progress, he received let
ter from the person in question, in which
the writer, who was then into theologi-
school hundred or two miles distant,
volunteered to come to Chicago, his
home, and work among his Swedish
acquaintance for the election of his
former benefactor. Mr.. Farwell wrote
him that his services would not be
needed, and thanking him for the inter-
est he was taking in the election, thought
no more about it,
Two or three days after the election
Mr.. Farwell was met at the door OF his
store by smiling young man, who ex-
tended his hand and shook the proaered
congressional digits warmly. Il sup
pose you do not know me?' said the
stranger. Eyes, do though" replied
Charley, after moments scrutiny
Your name is Hansen. l remember
you very well"
Il received your letter. continued
Hansen, concluded to come up anyway
and work for you among my country
men. have been in the city for two or
three weeks, and am on the point OF re-
turning to my school. l merely called
to extend to you my hearty congratula-
tons, thank you again for the great favor
you once conferred upon me and mine
With this the warm hearted Sweed again
shook Mr.. Farwell's hand and bidding
goodbye went off. 1t is difficult to say
which was the happiest of the two at that
moment, Hansen ut the opportunity he
had enjoyed of proving his gratitude in
a substantial manner, or Mr.. Farwell at
the unexpected and unusual exhibition
of unsolicited friendship on the part of
one for whom he had years before done
kindness. Such little episodes do much
to light up the pathway of the men of the
world.