The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-10
THE LATE THADDEUs STEVENS.
"reminiscences and Anecdotes Of the Great
COmmOner-IIis Firmness Of Character.
Philadelphia Times.


vens came from the green hills of Vermont to
York to fill the position of teacher of classics in
the York County Academy which was then
celebrated institution of learning.
At that time he was a tall, slender, delicate
looking young man, with expression of great
animation, spirit and intellect in his striking
countenance. He presented himself before the
board of examiners conscious of his ability to
pass any test to which he might be subjected.
One of the board, preliminary movement,
took up bunch of goose quilts lying on the
table before him, and, carefully selecting one,
handed it to the young applicant requesting
him to make pen. Stevens who was not IA
niliar with the art of pen-making, excused him
self upon the ground that he had no pen
knife. This excuse was invalidated by the
ready production of the necessary knife from the
pocket of the examiner. He was compelled to try
his skill in shaping the pen. The result was
most sorry attempt The pen being completed
to the best of his ability, his tormentor handed
him blank sheet Of paper and requested of
him q copy, as a pupils model. With the best
"Opens Stevens's writing very illegible, and as
the old gentleman was not skilled in deciphering
heroglyphics he could make nothing of the
sheet returned for his inspection. This part of
the examination did not prove very satisfactory
to either party, and with an ominous shake of
the head he was referred to the next member Of
the board, who first inquired of Stevens how
many letters the English alphabet contained
and gave him some words to spell. Stevens
quite taken by surprise at this fundamental eX
animation, and knowing more of Greek than En-
glish letters, did not acquit himself creditably
on either query and was equally unsuccessful in
solving the mathematical problems submitted to
him. The wise men thought a man who could
neither make a pen, write plain hand, spell
words, ''or do sums poor representative of the
smart Yankee sehoolmaster they had eargained
for and looked very grave over the doubtful
eligibility of their candidate.
Stevens no whit discouraged by his failures,
said Il came here on an application to teach
Latin and Greek. | see among this learned
body an eminent doctor of divinity, who is an
accomplished lingust. will be pleased to an
swcr any questions he may put to me in the
classical department" The reverend doctor
subjected him to a most critical examination,
which fully proved his competence to fill the
place. He made very successful teacher Dur
ing this time he studied law in the office of Mr.
James Reilly, but did not take the full course
prescribed by law.
There much prejudice among the good
people of this ancient town against the Yam
KEGS, and some of the more infuerti members
of the bar secretly resolved that Stevens should
be rejected upon his application for eXamina-
ton. Some of his friends advised HIM to go to
Maryland and get admitted, certificate
given in that State would qualify him for prac
Belair, in Hartford county, during the session Of
court AT the request of one of the lawyers a
committee appointed to test the ability of
the young aspirant. He was duly sworn in,
given his certificate, which he presented at the
next regular term in York, and admitted to
practice. He soon went to Gettysburg to follow
his practice.
He was of a suspicious and reserved DISPOSE
ton, with scant faith in the sincerity of human
nature. He was not much inclined to seek
ladies society. One of the few survivors of
those days recently told me that he sup
posed to be warmly attached to Il young lady
here. She did not smile on him, and gave her
hand to a favored sutton From that time he
manifested a more marked Indifference to the
companonship of ladies. When inclined he was
y most agreeable companion gifted with
. conversational powers and fund of wit ard
repartee seldom equaed.
.1ls Whole life was Swallowed by deformity in
the foot which caused slight lameness and gave
amorbid sensitiveness to his nature. While in
York he desired to join the lodge of Free
masons; but this physical defect rendered him
ineligible. He was much chagrined, and became
most violent and pronounced opponent of the
order, never losing an opportunity to denounce
it in unspariug terms. This hatred took strong
political bias, and from that time he was one of
the most bitter and unrelenting Anti Masons. His
strong individuality impressed every one who
ever met him. and his sayings and doings are
still remembered in many characteristic Incl
dents Judge Durkee, who, like Stevens, was a
Ver1nonte- and was an ardent and devoted adj
mirer of that gentleman, toldmc he was once en-
gagged IN trying case with him and received
letter which was positively unreliable. He gave
the letter to a friend promising a liberal per
centage Of the prospective fee if she would trans
late it, She earned her reward after some
hours hard work on the epistle. His writ
ing consisted of two or three letters in the
beginning of word: followed by an irregular
scrawi.
He was once asked to read letter Of advice
which he had written a client He glanced over
it. found himself quite unable to read it and
handed it back with '-Humph. don't write let
tiers to read myself wrote it for you to read
gentleman once wrote asking an opinion, but
neglected to enclose the customary fee. With
grim hunOr Stevens returned blank sheet of
paper by next post.
His powers of sarcasm We're unrivaled and
made him terror to his antagonist in a debate.
The counsel opposed 10 him in cause always
endeavored to avoid encounter of WITS in
which he was sure TO be worsted. His influence
over Il jury was marvellous, and his crafty line
ef argument often inclined the iurymen in his
favor even when upon the wrong side of case.
He could manage to extort from o witness
almost any testimony he desired cunningly
turning their evidence in his favor by series of
artful and unexpected questions. An eminent
judge. before whom he often argued cases. said
his manner was most bewildering to an mex
perienced witness.
:, In the early days of his practice he was once
engaged by the defendant in suit for damages
in an alleged trespass of his COW in a neighbor's
garden In the cross examination of witness,
who swore to having seen the COW on the premi
ses. Mr.. Stevens said:
did understood you to say that the cow in
the garden was black cow?'
'.Yes, sir
viii You undertake to say that the COW YOU
saw was perfectly black or was it not lighter in
come parts: Now be careful; this is very inn
portant point in your testimony and will affect
Che decision of the jury
We'll said it was a black COW to the best of
my recollection, but it might have been a little
mixed in Color
Abr satd Stevens, I'VE are coming at the
truth at last You say it was mixed in color,
what do you mean by that! Was ii spottedr
No, | did not see any spots on it, but it
might have been lighter or bIindled about the
bead and breast"