The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-11-08

DO YOU see that old man. SAID
friend to me. as we were walking
down the principal thoroughfare oi
Monmouth. Illinois.
/ followed the direction which his
finger pointed and saw lank, peak
faced and headed man shamb'
ling along the sidewalk. He was
poorly clad. and seemed occupied IN
thought. As | nodded a yes to the
query the new character that had
dawned upon me disappeared IN a
doorway.
"Well, he is too stingy to wear
socks ard he is one of the leading
merchants of the town"
1t was W. D. PRESLEY, the noted
philanthrophist and curiosity. Al
though he has made several FORTUNES
in business, he is now comparatively
poor. Christian missions have got
the money. 1t is estimated that
within the few years past he has do
mated to missions at least S50,OO0-
1t is only quite recently that he gave
$4,000 to some Christian cause, and
having no more money at hand, he
additionly gave his note for 5000,
which was soon converted into cash.
The strangest fact of it all Is he
absolutely denies himself the neces-
saries of life that be may give the
CRYING heathens more. So openurious
is he, in fact, that he will chase flying
paper over the piazza for quarter
of AN hour to use for wrapping. HIS
twine be untwists until he makes OF
the ordinary strings three pieces.
Here is an Instance of his savln 2
method A man who had just pur-
chased a pair of boots walked into
Pressley's store one day to purchase
some small articles. The boots were
extravagantly done up in finished
! paper and strings. He left them on
the counter The old gentleman
took them to one side while the Gus.
toner was busy with clerk, and
re-wrapping them, tied the straps
with a small piece of string, saving
the balance of the material for his
own use.
A few years ago Presley went tc
New York to lay in "A heavy stock o
goods. He always was great ad
mirer of the Stewart house, and there
he located to purchase his goods
He bought sparinglv the first day
and when evening came, requested
the manager of the department IL
which he was purchasing to permit
him to remain there during the
night. He was as usual clad in
cheap mountebank costume, and the
manager sent to Mr.. Draper Bah
cock, Jr, who happened to be in the
city at the time. to inquire if Presley
WAS correct and responsible char
acter. Mr.. Babcock, OF course re-
turned word that he was. The old
gentleman was then given the liberty
of the department.
Before leaving, the manager re-
quested PRESLEY TO accompany him
to supper; but no, he had lunch
with him, and taking from a coat
pocket some broken crackers and
cheese, he sat down on a bale OF
goods and commenced to eat. When
the department Was opened upon
the following morning he was found
asleep upon the floor He again
partook of his frugal meal, and con-
tinued his purchases until the bill
had aggregated nearly $4,000.
After having made arrangements for
time payment, and given instruc-
tions for the shipment of the goods,
he asked what discount would be
made for cash. A liberal percentage
off was given him, and reaching into
some mysterious corner of his under-
clothing, he brought to the light "a
large roll of money, from which he
paid his bill in full. The clerks to
this day have not forgotten the
strange merchant from Monmouth.
-Denrer Tribune.