The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1886-11-05
THE SENIOR BEN EFT.
MAJ. GEORGE F. WILLIAMS RECOl.
LECTiONS OF THE OLD MAN.

| Climbing Up Dangerous stairway.
Meeting an Old Gentleman In the
Dark-An Incident and y Raise OF
Salary.
first met the elder Bennett in the old
Herald Office" said Maj. George II. Williams
tn, other day, "then located on the corner Of
Nassau and Fulton streets. 1t consisted of
half dozen houses, taken up one by one us
tho business of the paper had grown. You
had to go IN or down two or three steps as
you passed from building to building, their
floors being on a different level, and there
were any number Of quaint hooks and
corners.
~ had gone to The Herald office that after
noon to SEQ one of the reporters, The stairs
leading up to the editorial rooms were very
crooked and extremely dark, while some o!
the wooden steps had been worn into holes and
were almost dangerous. Feeling my way up
accidentally stumbled on one Of these broken
steps and ran headlong against an elderly gen
tleman who was coming down.
"'Where are We going he exclaimed
angrily. why didn't ye keep your eyes
open2'"
AZ did have my eyes open, was my tart re-
ioin,ler But what was the use Of that! If
owned this paper would put few gas jets
in these crooked landings and have the car
penter mend my staircase
"'Eh. but that was wee thocht Of, said the
old gentleman, in q softer tone, as we parted.
at was three or four months after that be-
fore had occasion to visit The Herald office,
being sent by Mr.. Raymond on an errand to
Mr. Hudson As l went up the roundabout
staircase | noticed that it had been well
lighted with gas since my last visit. and the
steps were in complete repair. On entering
the editorial rooms | saw the same old gen
tlcman coming out of Mr.. Hudsons roon
AS he turned to go through n side door he
caught glimpse of ME, and peering at me
from under his heavy eyebrows said in dry
tone:
"'Eh. young man. We've put in the gas
and had the stairs mended. Dinna you notice
thatF
"'Yes, SIR said I, in my youthful fearless
ness And was glad of it.
LOOK OF CONSERVATION.
GAS the old gentleman disappeared saw a
look of CONSERVATION on the faces of group
of reporters near me, SO asked who the old
fellow was
"'That's MI Bennett was the reply, and
entered Mr. Hudson's room feeling rather
foolish
Years passed and the war was nearing its
end, and | was correspondent i'll the field.
Being very lucky in beating The Herald one
day with the news of battle, received a
Eota from Mr.. Hudson requesting me to call
Oh him. Deing so, learned that he wished
me to join The Herald staff, and offered me
;;ooi pecuniary inducements for the step.
While we were conversing the elder Bennett
came into the room, when Mr. Hudson il
PRODUCED me- l then stated that Mr.. Ray
mond had been very kind to me and there
fore must decline the offer.
"'Dinna we offer you enough" asked Nj
Bennett
"'Oh yes, sir replied. But that isn't 1t
| do not wish to leave Mr. Raymond
I'm vary sorry, young mon, that you re-
fuse, but think all the better OF you for
your deceesion Eh, but little Raymond is
mon to hold his young fellows like
that
"Mr. Bennett wrote to Mr.. Raymond,
learned afterwards, telling him of the Incl
dent, and my salary was raised to Hudson's
figure in consequence. Interview in The