Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-09-24
A CREDULOUS CONGRESSMAN.
How Gen. vance Got Even with a
Reverend Imposter.

ReFereHd I'M poster.
Many public men, writes the Wash
ington correspondent of The Indian
apolis Journal, are credulous and such
poor readers of human nature as to be
readily imposed upon. People who
associate muck with men in high Of
flee here soon come to the conclusion
that these officials are only trained
in politics, and are otter called to
their position by simple freaks of for
tune.
Gen. Robert Frank Vance, of North
Carolina although So years old, a
graduate from Cincinnati and Eorope-
an colleges, and having served through
the war on the confederate side with
distinction, reaching the rank of
brigsdier general, afterward serving
in various local offices, then going TO
congress foE II years, and now being
commissioner Of patents-is probably
one of the most credulous men who
has ever figured prominently, and
has paid very dearly for it. While in
congress ne was the prey of all sharp
ers. He is a Christian gentleman and
alleged church members aud repre>
sentatives of all kinds OF charitable,
temperance, and religious institutions
imposed upon him to their hearts con.
tent. He never complained, though,
on account of his losses.
Your correspondent has just been
told of an instance which illustrates
the character of the men who came to
see Vance. 1t was but a few years
ago. He was in the house OF repre>
sentatives n day when a card was
sent to him from a door On it was
the name of some man Vance didn't
know, but the prefix Reverend" was
sufficient 10 instill the utmost cof-
dence. The man was tall, pious look
ing, and dressed like a minister. He
told Vance that he vas just passing
through the city and called to pay
his respects, being a resident of North
Carolina.
II receive you as a brother" said
Vance. Now, while you are here, :"
continued ne, "just come 10 my
rooms, over on 4 street, and accept
my Inequalities"
Vance probably didn't think the
stranger would call, but he did, and
brought his valise with him. He was
assigned a room. Three or four days
passed. The reverend gentleman was
sociable, and often talked TO Vance,
but was cautious not to become a bore.
One morning Vance'S private secre-
tary remarked to the general, in a
serious mood, that the strange minist>
err would yet do him up" before he
left the the city, and gave him eau
ton.
"Oh, you are unkind; you are much
mistaken" replied Vance. That Is
Rev. -, is a Christian gentleman.
But why do you caution me against
him2"
Because, ~ said the clerk, ''He OPEN
ed the door this morning so that l
could hear him praying.
Gen. Vance pooh-pooed the warn
ing. The next day a card was sent
INTO the house for him. On it was
the name of his minlsterial-looking
friend. When Vance went out and
net his guest, the latter said, in APP,
parent distress:
HAA Az S1Cdb agony. L have Just
received a message calling me home
TO sick ones in my family. l am out
OF funds. Can you loan me 1925 till
| get homer have the money there
and will remit al once
Certainly replied Nancs. And
he took MS friend around to the office
of the sergeant of-arms, drew the
money, and handed it over. Nothing
was heard of the alleged minister
until a few days ago. Vance's clerk
read IN a far-weStern newspaper that
he had been admitted as a minister
and had preached his first sermon.
Ca the very heels of this announce
ment came a letter from the now real
minister, asking Vance to make a
liberal contribution to help the new
society along.
Great guns exclaimed Vance
what a mountain Of gallr' and then
the Christian statesman as Vance is
well-known, perpetrated a practical
/, joke on his wilhom friend. He wrote
a letter IN reply, which was something
like this:
. u am glad to 10 able to helr
Christianity in your far-away field.
Just credit me with S125 cash, which
loaned you a few years ago until
! you could go home"