Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-05-14
A SrUTTERER'S STORIES.
Witticisms ofa Prominent New
York Millionaire.
Sayings that Have Made William
r.. Travers Famous In the
Metropolis.

The New York Times says that per-
haps the most popular man in the city
among Wall street bankers and brok-
ers, uptown club men patrons and fol-
luwers.of the tulf. and members of the
New York Athletic Club and the Rae
ouet Club is William r Travers. AL
though thorough and well-infOrmed
man of business, an able financier, and
q capitalist, he is known best through
his geniality, his kindly feeling toward
young men, and his witty and humor-
ous remarks. Tall and erect, he car
ries his 20 years as briskly as a man of
40. In public places Mr.. Travers is
inclined to be reserved, and ghmpses of
his humor have depended on his init
mate acquaintances for circulation.
His wit never screens malice, but it
, frequently stings, being at times near
the truth. But aboye and through all
Is an obstruction of speech that in most
cases has added to the humor of his say
ings. and so many of them have passed
current in late years that it seems ap-
propriate to gather together the best of
those that have appeared in print at
various times:
A former acquaintance in Baltimore
met him in Broadway, and, turning a
side, began to chat with him.
you stammer more since you have
lived In New York, the friend remark
ed In the course of the talk, than you
did In Baltimore.'
'B-b-bigger place. Trayers replied
At the call of the list in the Stock
Exchange a dispute arose oyer bid for
. stock. Mr.. III. G. Stebbins is credit
ed with being the gentleman in opposit-
ioa to Mr.. Trayels. Stebbins asserted
that he named the price.
1T may be that Mr.. St-Stebbins g.got
through b-before 1 did, b-but I'll b-be
hanged il I didn't b-begin b-before h-he
did Travers replied.
uC otOVh Woo 0Wo1uOu w
A story told about him in Brooklin
relates to a visit there to attend the
wedding OF the daughter of friend
who lived in Montague street. It was
his frst visit in the neighborhood, and
after he had ascended the stairs half
way up the hill from the ferry he went
astray in Montage-terrace, and was at
length compelled to ask for directions.
Il desire to reachM- Montague street,
he said to passer by. will you b-be
k-kind enough to point the way p
You are g-going the wr-wrong way
was the suffering reply. THAT is NJ
Montague street.
Are you m-making fun of me, m
mimicking m-me?' Travers asked stern
ly.
Mono, I assure you, SIR the other
replied, with all due haste to repair an
apparent lack of good manners. 81
am b-badly af-afli-afllcted with an OBJ
struc-struction of speech.
why d-don't you g-get c-cured p
Travers asked, with mischief in his
eyes. ego to Dr. and you'll g-get
c-cured. D-don't you see how well
talk p He c-cured m-me.'
Two raps for Henry Clews, the bank
or, are recorded. 1t has been frequent
boast of Mr.. Clews that he is a self
made man. Travers heard him on one
occasion, and Immediately dropped into
sort of reverie with his eyes fixed on
Mr.. Clew's bald pate.
Well, what's the matter, Travers p
Clews asked, somewhat impatiently.
.H-Henry,' Travers inquired, didn't
you s-s-say you were self-made man p
Certainly; made myself Clews re-
piled warmly.
Then, when you were ab-b-bout it,
why d-didn't you p-put m-more h-hair
on the t-top of your head p
The famous Vanderbilt ball exercised
many gentlemen on the question of
characters and costumes. Mr.. Clews
was in a quandary, and he applied to
Travers for suggestion. 1t appeared
that Trayers had taken advantage of
his friendly relations with Wallack,
Mapieson and Abby by sending inqulr-
ing friends to them for permission to
select from their theatrical wardrobes.
The story goes that the managers he'd
mildly limited to Travers that patience
with the 'fashionables' had ceased to be
q virtue, and Trayers was not inclined
to favor any more.
'Clews, he said after some reflection, |
why d-don't you sh-sh-sugar coat your
hvhead and g-go as pill p
Besides knowing how to rap others
Trayers knows when he receives a rap. |
Going up town with several brokers,
Trayers spied man selling parrots in
front of st Paul's church.
'H-hold on. boys he said mysterious
". swe'l nave some f-fun.'
Hailing the parrot seller and indicat-
ing one Of the birds, Travers asked :: !
'C-ean that p-parrot t-talk p
Talk p the man replied with a con-
temptuous sneer. IF he can't talk bet
A. u