The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-08-23
WITTY "BILLv TRAvERs.
Amustpg Anecdotes Of n PrSminent New
York Broker who Shutters.


really interested in tho development OF
che horse, and te his energetic efforts
the establishment Of the sport OF horse,
racing in the North permanently is
largely due These thingo would have
given him proroiesnce in The me.
tropolis uneHeationably, but the reputs-
tion and fame he enjoys are due moro
DO hfs wit and humor than to anything
else. This is Gil the more remarkable
since he neither Writes nor makes
speeches IN public. His witticisms are
usually made in private circles and for
currency must depend entirely upon tho
circulation given them by thS listener
or the victim. his wis IA Kindly aud his
humor mellow. bometimes itstiugs, yet
it is ret malicious, though it often borders
gu truth too closely to always be corns
Portable for the object OF the bArbed
words. Mr.. 7 ravers Is native of Bal
timore, and was man grown and mar
ried before he left Maryland for the
metropolis. Mr. TraSers is now touch
ing closely upon sixty, though he bears
his years we'll. He is tall, slim and
wiry. Perhaps upon seeing hirA Tor the
first time the beholdes would be sur
prised, for hy some absurd process of
reasosing which is never justified we
associate wit with shortness of stature
and humor with rotundity OF person,
However one needs bUt . Gishce at Mr..
Travers' face te perceive the humor
lurking IN she lines of the mouth which,
evor in repose, seems always on tho
point of breaking into laugh, though
~ Noro1r- :
soft and kindly, withal sparkling
with that mischief which is isirrepressible.
Apart from his wit, Mr.. Travers is
most interesting man, and his talk is
graphic, incisive and cpigrammatic,
and over it all fancifully plays his
humor, giving zest and point to all he
says. Because he has great reputation
Tor wit, humor and saniality it will not
do to assume that his mental qualities
are summed up with that statement. He
is stroug, wise and able man, we'll in,
formed and thorough man of business
and affairs He has an obstruction of
speech which has undoubtedly kept him
off the platform, for other Qualities
which he possesses would naturally lead
him there bat for this stammer. Yet,
so far from its being an affection, in the
sense OF its being bore aud annoyance
to others, it seems to sharpen the point
OF his wit and to give zsst to his say
ings. In fact, much of the spice would
be losS If the stammer were gone.
Anything and anybody falls subject
to his wit and he does not spare himself
or his stammer Shortly after he mad
removed from Baltimore to New York
city he met upon Broadway an old
friend from the former city of his resi-
dence. They we're glad to meet each
other, aud fell into an easy chat.
During the course OF the conversation
his friend said
"Why, Bill, you stammer more since
you have lived in New York-more than
you did in Baltimore"
"B-b-bigger place." replied Travers.
This delightfully."- illogical reason suf-
feed as an explanation.
Upon settling in New York he became
member of the stock exchanges.
During the call of the list he essayed
to bid upon one of the stocks and at
the same time another broker bid the
same price. A dispute followed as to
whom it should be awarded. His oppo-
nent set up the claim that he had
named the price first. To this Mr..
Travers replied:
sit m-msy be-be Mr.. P.president,
that M-mr. Jones R-got through b-be.
fore d-did, b-but I'll b-be hanged if 1
d didn't b-begin b.before he d-did."
Amid the roar of the exchange the
stock was awarded to him.
But Travers does not always coma of
first in his encounters. One day, after
the close OF the board, he was going
uptown with several brokers. When
opposite old st. Paul's he saw man
offering for sale number of parrots.
"H.hold, b.boys," he said to his
companions, "we'll have some fun :"
Then addressing the man and pointing
to one of the parrots, he asked q" O.can
that p.parrot t talk p
"Talk?" replied the man, in tones OF
great contempt. eff he can't talk
better than you can I'll wiring his blame
neck"
"C.ome on, boys. The fun is p.post.
p-poned until until another d-dsy," said
Travers. And later, as his companions
were still roaring, he said: "There's IL
no n-necessity OF saying anything ab'
about this to the b-boys. and I'll pay fol
the b-bottle."
Some time ago a young man made {
considerable sum of money in Wall
street under Mr.. Travers' advice. Wher
the money was turned over, the broker
told linn that he would be very foolish
if he ventured his gains again and sd
vised him not to imagine that he haG
solved the problem OF success in Wall
street but to safely invest his money
reserving part to purchase a home fol
his family. The advice was followed
and Travers assisted in the selection o.
the house, Some time after the young
man was settled he met Travers and Wai
asked how the house suited.
1.-THE house is all right, MIR. Ira,
gers," was the reply. "But I am very
! 4....l,IaI 4.