Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-11-18
THE SENIOR BENNETT.
MAJ. GEORGE r. WILLIAMS RECOL-
LECTIONS OF THE OLD MAN.

Climbing Up a Dangerous Stairway.
Meeting an Old Gentleman in the
Dark-An Incident and a Raise of
Salary.
1 first met the elder Bennett in the old
Herald office" said Maj. George F. Williams
the other day, then located on the corner Of
Nassau and Fulton streets. It consisted Of
half dozen houses, taken up one by one as
the business of the paper had grown You
had to go up or down two or three steps as
you passed from building to building, their
floors being on different level, and there
were any number of quaint hooks and
corners.
II had gone to The Herald Office that after
noon to see one of the reporters. The stairs
leading up to the editorial rooms we're very
crooked and extremely dark, while some Of
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
neman who was coming down
"'Where are ye going he exclaimed
angrily. Why didn't ye keep your eyes
open2'"
d" I did have my eyes open, was my tart re-
ioinder 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
a'Eh, but that was weel thocht Of said the
old gentleman, in 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 l 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 1 saw the same old gem
Eleman coming out of Mr.. Hudson's room
As he turned to go through 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
thatr
ayes, SIR said 1, in my youthful fearless
ness. And 1 was glad of it
LOOK OF CONSERVATION.
GAs the old gentleman disappeared saw
look of CONSERVATION on the faces Of group
of reporters near me, so asked who the old
fellow was
asThat's Mr.. Bennett was the reply, and 1
entered Mr.. Hudson's room feeling rather
foolish.
years passed and the war was nearing Its
end. and l was correspondent in the field
Being very lucky in beating The Herald one
day with the news of battle, received
note from Mr.. Hudson requesting me to call
on him. Doing SO, learned that ne wished
me to ioin The Herald staff, and offered me
good pecuniary Inducements for the step.
While we were conversing the elder Bennett
came into the room, when Mr.. Hudson IN
troduced me. 1 then stated that Mr.. Ray
mond had been very kind to me and there
fore must decline the offer.
g'Dinna we offer you enoughF asked MI.
Bennett.
G'Oh yes, SIR replied But that isn't It
1 do not wish to leave Mr.. Raymond
"'rm vary sorry, young mon, that you re-
fuse. but think all the better OF you for
vour deceesion. Eh, but little Raymond IS
winsome mon to hold his young fellows Ike
that
GMr. Bennett wrote to Mr.. Raymond,
learned afterwards, telling him Of the inch
dent, and my salary was raised to Hudsons
figure in consequence. ."-Interview IN The
Journalist.