Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-13
Mr.. GREELEY AS A SPEAKER,
He Wasn't An Orator But He
Pleased His Audience.
WHEN LABeY DID THE BIG ToFF.
a Boyish Escapade ora Great London
Editor Thought Chauncey an
Expert Liar--why Ros-
sini Didn't Eat.
Current Anecdotes.

Christmas day. MIR. Greeley and each
owned pews in DIR. Chapin's church, and
weie punctual attendants, says p. II. Bar
na6i In the Cincinnati Commercial-Ga2ette.
We expected grand sermon from Dr. Cha
pin on that Christmas morning, but, much
10 our disappointment, a note was received
fium him Just as the services were about to
begin, stating that he was Ill and could not
attend.
At first IL was thought best to adjourn the
meeting, but finally n layman offered his SER
vices, which were accepted, in conducting
the preliminary portion of the services.
Meanwhile Mr.. Greeley was asked
to go INTO the pulpit and say
something as substitute for DR..
Chapu's sermon. He walked up without
any hesitation, with his old white overcoat
on. a lady from Kentucky. who was then
living IN New York and attended DIR.
Chapn's church. was sitting next to me.
She had that southern prejudice against Mr..
Greeley which too generally prevailed, and
she declared that she "had great mind to
20 out, for she never wanted to see nor hear
Horace Greeley ] begged her to remain,
and she concluded to-
In consideration of the fact that Mr..
Greeley was miserable speaker, Twas much
afraid the prejudiccs of the Kentucky lady
would, after hearing him, become stronger
against him than ever. He began, in "a low,
drawing tone, by saying that the celebra.
tion OF Christmas was a very proper thing
for ali processing christians to engage IN.
"Of course,n said he, this Is not absolutely
the anniversary of the birth of Christ; 1t Is
generally conceded by learned biblical schol-
ars that Christmas really occurred in or about
the month Of August; but as this day has
been fixed upon as the anniversary Of the
Savour's birth, it, perhaps, does not make
much difference
Mr.. Greeley drawed along in this way for
more than half an hour. giving us new ideas,
new thoughts and much valuable informa-
ton. r,very person present, l think, was
deeply interested in his discourse. Toward
the close of his remarks the Kentucky lady
said to me: "Nlr. Barnum, that man is
horrible speaker, but declare / was never
more edited in my life; he is really won
derful man; and shall never again feel any
prejudice against him."
A lady friend in Highstown, n. j., having
read and heard much of Mr.. Greeley, begged
me to induce him to give lecture for charit
able purpose. Iasked him, and he readily con-
sented to do so. lmet the lady month or two
afterward and she was eXhuberantin in her eX-
preston OF gratitude to me for having influ
enced the great man to visit Hightstown.
Said she: al was honored by his making
our house his home during our stay, and [
really felt our house was hallowed by his
presence; but oh, Mr.. Barnum, did you ever
hear such "a tedious, terrible speaker! He
began his lecture by saving in his monoton-
Gus voice: 1t has been said that ] am the
poorest speaker in America and think that
is really true, but what he said enchanted
every hearer."
zone of the funniest things that happened
under during
Colonel Mosby to a New York Tribune re-
porter, occurred in cavalry fight in the
Shenandoah valley along in 1864 In the
midst of u sharp cavalry engagement with
Sheridan's men in a charge near Berryville
there came crushing like whirlwind into
our lines Yankee soldier on big black
horse. a score of men tried to stop horse
and rider, but the old blacks blood was up,
and he went on clean through the lines be-
fore he was under control The rider was
sent to Libby prison, and we mustered the
black charger into the confederate service.
A few days later we charged some of Gus
ter's men, and I'll be - If that old horse
didn't return the compliment by carrying
"Reb'' into the federal lines, and never came
backn
A dozen years ago Nine. Modjeska came
to America, bought big ranch in southern
California, and settled down to bee culture
and the raising of cattle, says the New York
Sun. She had, after many successes abroad,
retired from the stage. But the old feeling,
so firmly implanted in all those who have
once tasted the fruits of success, reasserted
itself She studied English and began d
new career in the English tongue. A friend
of Nine. Modjeska said the other day that
her return to the footlights was inspired,
however, from n wholly different origin.
Looking out of her study window one morn
ing she saw odd spectacle. Three men
were engaged in slaughtering a turkey.
Count BoZenta, her husband, held the crea-
l.,, IA.. hn,,I LA1l
and a third man welded the knife. She
thought if it required three men to kill one
turkey her hopes of the successful manage
ment of the ranch were destroyed So she
went back to acting.
"The Press has published a good many
"reminiscences OF Judge Allen A. Bradford, !"
said an old settler to a Nebraska City Press
reporter, but here is one that have never
seen in print. IL occurred in Colorado, long
after Bradfor left this part of the country.
He was trying a case before judge to whom
he took dislike. The Judge was undecided
in his rulings; would change his conclusions
every time the opposite lawyer would argue
point, When Bradford came to talk to the
jury lie took occasion to express his con-
tempt. Said he: "Gentlemen of the jury,
the indecision of this court reminds
me of the fabled ass that died
for want of decsion The court could stand
this no longer. Calling the attorney to order
he fined him S5 for contempt. With the
GOODNESS he was capable of, Bradford felt in
his pocket for moment, then, producing
$3.50, said in his peculiar intonations OF
voice Your honor, ] have but half the
amount. will pay for the straw, but let
tho ass stand.'n
"You remember Jefres, the Presbyte-
rian minister that left here 20 go to Denver.
Well, heard good story about him the
other day that you may be able
to find u place for 1t was some
thing that happened just after he
came TO Nebraska City. He wanted to go
some place, ana applied 10 Mike Derum, in
the ticket office as it happened, for half
rate ticket, which it is usual to sell TO gem
tlemen OF the cloth. Jeffres, you know,
looked more like an actor than minister,
and Derum inquired incredulously: "Are
you n Clergyman Quick as thought the
quick -witted divine began to open his grip,
saying: Ill read you one of my sermons.
He got the ticket"
Charles Smiley, of the Claxton company,
says the Chicago Herald, is full of stories.
lie tells one Of a street gamin who held out
his ragged cap before Lord Randolph
Churchill and Sir Charles Beresford, as
they came slowly down the steps Of a Lon
don club.
"What are you begging for, Doyln asked
Beresford as he noticed the little fellow.
The boy said he had nothing else TO do.
"See here, ~ said Lord Randolph, "if you'll
take that stone and hit that policeman in
nj etixy lai n