The Cecil Whig., 1883-01-06
WHOLE No. 2,O91

spring campaign began. II. must lie Il
Cabinet Minister then. Still if | had
any letters OF introduction | had better
use them at once. and something might
be done. This savored of the artist.
told him had no letter whatever. HIS
face fell: without iutrnductinn the public
ear was deaf III wa, an autnor of
course. He was very sorry for me, he
could advise me no further.
He turned back to his letter. to my
seat. Failed again.
The shades of evening were falling. INV
day $ vigil was over. FruitltsS, Thought
of my $40. Ny admira ion of American
institut ons was ebbing. The morrow
was again at my p st. Hour after hour
passed by. when suddenly my elderly
gentleman appeared, walked straight up
to me and sat down beside me.
8 Are you not, he asked. the young
gentleman who spoke tn me about med.
zeal appointment yesterday.''
Il am" replied.
well. have been thinking a great
deal about you since. How wa, it YOU
we.'e foolish as to come here without
letters -
| explained to him that | was foolish
enough to believe America different from
all other countries, and the mere fact of
introductions being used in Europe stamp
ed them as superiirous here. told him
that 4 letter to General Banks which was
offered to me, had even refused 10 wait
for.
Dear. dear. what pity. | don't
know what is TO done about YOU. III
tell Eou what. ! know Genelal Banks.
| will give you letter to him, if you
like, but mind. | shall be bound to say
know nothing about you
So long as was able to get by nose
into his office, replied. I snouI ask for
nothing more.
And so my new friend satdown at once
to write the letter.
Whar an irresistible power curiosity
sometimes has. Here was |, at last, with
chance of realizing all my hopes, attain
ing the goal Of my ambition, checking
the outward flow of those si5. with the
prospect Of a pleasant occupation, and
the innate satisfaction of proving to the
family cOnclave the justice Of all my an
ticipations. and still the one thought of
that moment upPermost in my mind, was
that at last should learn who was thi,
elderly gentleman who had stared al me
from the countless photographs
The letter was finished aud handed t.,
me. 1t was short and husineSs-like. l.
merely said that was perfect stranger
but that the writer had conceived an in
terest in me: that he thought Was tn.
kind of young man who meant business
and that if General Banks could put m.
in the way of getting what wished, thu
writer would est EN- it personal favor
and there lay the signature before me
P. T. BARNUM
To end long story. the next mornir,
found me at headqual tiers armed with ~
letter. 1t was handed in. 1t passed OF
Immediately, over the heads of crow.
of officers waiting in the ante-room. t,
the presence OF the great man himself.
1t secured me most cordial receptio,
from him, and an endorsement oi Nj
Birnum's letter. addressed to Surgeon.
General Hammond, with another per
sOnal request which in its turn secureG
me all | W lnted
The next morning | sought ont my
newly found friend to thank him for the
great services he had rendered me. and
to receive from him some kindly words OF
encouragement and advice. which, al
though l have never seen the speaker
since. have never been forgotten.