The Portland daily press., 1881-07-08
Boston Transcript
Guiteau as a Literary Pretendar

One busy morning little mora than year
ago man entered the editorial rooms of the
Transcript and, inquiring for the literary edi-
tor, advanced to his desk and with flourish
laid down his card upon it. 1t read, "Charles
j. Guiteau." Introducing himself further.
the visitor explained that he was the celebrat-
ed author and orator who had made so much
noise in the West, and expressed much aston
ishment on hearing that the editor was wholly
ignorant of his name and reputation. His
special errand was he said, to call attention to
volume he had just published, which was
destined to create q strong impression on the
thinking part of the community. 1t had been
read in manuscript by number of prominent
Western divines, who considered it the strong
est presentation of the creed of Christianity
out ie the Bible Farther than that" he
COL inued, ''they agree with me that it fills
certain gaps where the Scriptures are lacking
and that is why 1 have entitled it "A Compan-
ion to the Blble.'"
The work in question, having been unfolded
from its paper wrapper, was presented to the
editor. 1t was coarsely printed octave vol
ume of 126 pages, bearing the title, ''The
Truth: A Companion to the Bible" with the
name of Charles J. Guiteau, theologian, as au-
thor, and purporting to be published by the
well-known Boston firm of D. Lothrop & Co
81 have disposed of two large editions in
Chicago, without advertising" said the visitor,
simply on the reputation sustain in that city
as a biblical scholar. But it isn't money am
after. l intend to remain in the East, and
want people to know me, aud I want, too, to
exert the same influence here as in the West
in the way of bringing souls to God"
Dnring this and much more talk of the same
kind the editor glanced alternately at
the pages OF the book and at Guiteau, who
had in the meantime, seated himself with the
evident design of making an extended stay.
There was something peculiarly offensive in
his manner. With an ordinary fanatic ode can
have patience, because of his honesty.el belief,
but there was something about Gaissan which
gave one the instructive feeling that the whole
thing was put on. There Tss ne iearnestnsss
or appearance of sincerity about ile, man, and
his talk about religious lnatters had 70 inore
heart in it than thestalk Of. a boos agento Ha
evidently had high opinion, YL his personal
appearance; 1.,s., asa M YES ii phim
with hislsend thruss IN hjs breast $jnd his head
throwEhaok, agsin villa his hpS& resting upon
his,haudb and his, eyes tgfReR up, and then
again vita hiR tace turned N profile and his
arms folded. One could almost imagine him
practisIng these AIRS md attitudes before a
glass. He was apott the middle size, slim in
build, With a fatHer small face which might at
one time hsys been full, but had grown thin;
bis h4ir, RFushed up in q General jackson sort
ot6tyle.piving a very peculiar look to his
head. an he wore a thin beard and moustache.
H6Was very fair type of that class of persons
Who visit newspaper offices to discuss literature
and borrow two dollars OF the editor when they
go out
He was told that the book would be looked
over and attended to in due course, and after a
vain attempt to prolong the conversation de-
parted. The next day he again made his ap-
pearance, and asked that when the notice ap-
peared it could be stated that the author had
taken up his residence in Boston, and had been
warmly pressed by the principal clergymen of
the city to take up the work begun by Moody
and Sankey This, he was informed could not
be done in connection with book notice. A
day or two later he made another visit to in
quire why his book had been neglected. and
three times during the following week. When
the notice at last appeared he exhibited good
deal of anger because it was not complimenta-
ry, and his language, though not personally
uncivil or profane, justified the idea previous
ly formed as to his religious sincerity and hon.
esty.
In the halfdozen conversations had with
him, the idea of his insanity never entered the
head of the editor. His egotism was immense,
and as absurd as it was immense. The false
hoods he uttered were not those of man who
believed them himself. He was keen, shrewd
liar, as after investigation proved. His book
was jumble of texts and references, and was
evidently compiled from other sources instead
of having been written after an original plan.
Reference having been made to the publica-
tion of the book by d. Lothrop & Co., Justice
to that firm demands an explanation of how it
happened that his book bears their imprint,
Guiteau took the book to the Messrs Lothrop,
and asked them to become its publishers. 1t
was handed by the firm to their
committee of examination who at once
rejected it. Guiteau then took it to
the Messrs. Wright and Potter and had the
Messrs. Lothrops name inserted without their
knowledge. A small edition of the book was
printed by Guiteau, who had the impudence
to take some of them to Mr.. Lothrop and ask
that they might be put on sale. At first they
were refused, but the firm finally consented
that enough might be left to fill two or three
orders which had been received. After Quit
eau had gone the book was examined, and as q
result the whole were put up and sent back to
him.