Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-02-17
GARFIELD AS A FINANCIER.
From a Washington Letter.

Many people, who ought to know better
seem to be ilnbued with the idea that Gen.
Garfield is plain, straightforward man, ut
That this is mistaken view of his character
is proved by the following authentic anec-
dote told me tonight by one of his intimate
friends:
A year ago last autumn, when the Legisla
ture, which afterwards elected Gen. Garfield
United States senator, was in process of NOM
ination, tall, ungainly young man, hailing
from Ashtabula county, called at Mentor one
day and asked for the General. After the
compliments of the season had passed, the
visitor, whose name was Thorp, joyfully in
formed his host that he had just been nomi
mated by the Republicans of his district for
a seat in the lower house of the Legislature,
and that if elected he would vote "first, last,
and all the time for Garfield for senator"
The General naturally expressed great
pleasure at Mr. Thorp's good fortune and ap-
plauded his choice for senatorial honors, at
the same time assuring his visitor of his ear
nest hope that the Democrats would not sue
ceed in carrying that particular district.
Lave uO ltdl vi Ludt, SlIu LHc
tic Thorp; 81 will work like a beaver from
now until the election day, and am bound to
win. All need is little money to pay my
election expenses, and thought I'D just run
over and ask you to lend me $500; that will
fetch me through all right"
Inasmuch. as Gen. Garfield was already
aware of Thorps tendency to borrow and
forget, he was good deal nonplused by this
sudden request, but Immediately and truthful
ly replied that he had not that amount Of
money on hand, and hence could not make
the loan. "It would indeed afford me great
pleasure to accommodate so good friend as
you, Mr.. Thorp," but have only fifteen
dollars about me. I would gladly aid you
in any way in the world, and if you want
what I've got you are welcome to it,"
He thought that this would end the con.
versation, but his surprise may be only faint
ly imagined when Thorp, swelled with graft
tude for the kind assurance of the the Gener-
als willingness to assist him, and grasping
his hand, said:
81 thought of all this before / came, Gen
eral and when in Cleveland / enquired at
the bank, and they told me that they would
discount my note for $500 if you would en-
dorse it. Your friendly words convince me
that you will hel lp me through. l have
note already drawn and have signed it my
self; all it needs now is your signature to
get the money and ensure my election to the
Legislature and yours to the Senate of the
United States" Gen. Garfield saw that he
was in for it. After assuring his visitor that
he would do anything in his power to aid him,
he could not possibly refuse him so simple
thing as his autograph; so he took the note
somewhat ruefully, led the way into his
study, and sat down at his desk. He seized
pen, dipped it into an ink bottle, and SEEM
ed just on the point of writing his name.
.-.a-.i~i--e
suddenly said: "Thorp, don't you see this
would ruin US both? You are a candidate
for the State Legislature, and am eandi-
date for the United States Senate. Two
thirds of the directors in this bank are Dem.
ocrats, and if they ever got hold of note
signed by US two, they would use it for our
destruction"
Do you think there would be danger ?"
gasped the thoroughly frightened Thorps
"Certainly there would be danger" re.
piled the General; "but," continued the mar
rator, "Gar6eld afterwards, in laughingly
telling this story, explained that the real
danger he feared in the matter was that
Thorp would forget to ever refund the money.
Gen. Garfield" continued my informant, IRE.
CARDS that feat as the only brilliant financial
performance of his whole life"
Some Of the able gentlemen now seeking
the Generals endorsement of their draft on
the public crib may find that the cunniDguess
which saved him from the remorseless friend
ship of the thoughtful Thorp, may enable him
to evade their earnest entreaties as easily for
similar reason.