New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-04
GREELEY.
PFvINIscENCEs by p, T. BARNUM.

Office of The Christian Messenger in Fulton
ST. where happened to be calling. 1t was election
day and politics ran high lie asked Mr. tlnchi ,he
bookkeeper whether Dr. Sawyer had voted yet,
and although Mr.. Greeley did not know me-
at once said There is no use for you 10 uruhi
up the clergy 10 vote; will bet you go th.e
the Democrats will elect their ticket lie ieit
in his pockets and said: +" | have only got 80.
will bet you that Yet. really expecting de-
feat. did not want TO bet at all, so said On,
no: | will not bet unless you make 1t s2''
Finch said Greeley, /" lend me $50, ana 1
will take that bet"
Finch replied You would better not bet Mr.
Greeley: this is Bamum, the museum man. ana
he will be sure to beat you in some way never
mind said Greeley, will bet him. was IN
fact sorry TO do this, but we put our stakes
into Mr. Fineh's hands. To my surprise, the
Democrats carried it, although it was charsed
that il was lone by fraud. From that time MI
Greeley and ! became warm personal friehds'
His peculiarities especially that of absent
mindedncss have been often described, and have
witnessed many curious instances. one eunuay
at DR.. Chapin's church my daughter Caroline was
with me, ard after service, we were about step
ping on a horse-car, Mr.. Greeley did the same
Nv daughter urged me to introduce her. so said
TO him Mr. Greeley, this is my eldest daughter
Caroline lie looked at her, passed his eyes
down ms far as her feet and up again to her face.
but made no motion of recognition. Caroline feit
mortified and said afterward: Well father, that
is the most curious introduction ever had to any
person What was the man thinking about
Years afterward, when / was president OF the
Worlds Fair held in Reservoir Square, now BY
ant Park. in New-YOrk, Mr.. Greeley was one Oh
the directors and was always the first man present
mt the directors meeting lie would sit and talk
with me a few minutes, and then invariably iali
aslaep and remain so until awakened by the ar
rival of other directors. When the association
was about dissolving and wanted to close up its
affairs it was stated at directors meeting that 'e
CITY held bill of several thousand dollars against
rs for taxes. Mr. Greeley said Now, gentle
men. if YOU will appoint me a committee OF one to
wait upon the Mayor, / will propose to him that
the city shnl take our iron fence around the square
as pavmant in full for the taxes. OF course The
Mayor and | don't agree politically. but he VIII
not be mean about thing of that KIND, ana
think | can fix it."
I had occasion 10 90 to Europe week after
ward. and was absent nearly two years, during
which time the Crystal Palace was burned. Soon
after nv return ! was standing at the door OF
my museum when Mr. Greeley passed, and
extended my hand in great joy 10 greet him after
so long an absence lie paid no attention to this
movement. but stood as if we had parted only
the day before. Well, Barnum,' he said
think the Mayor will agree TO my proposition
about that iron fence ] am going to see him again
tomorrow and hope we shall arrange it.
During the Rebellion Mr.. Greeley often called
on me at the museum at one time when our cause
looked the darkest and McClellans army was ~
ing idle to tie dissatisfaction and dIsmay OF
most of our Northern patriots, Mr.. Greeley walked
into my Office "Oh" said he, "if Mcclellan
would only start that army! 1t does try my
patience beyond measure
"Yes indeed ! replied, " / would gladly give
half | possess if / could he assured That we
should be successful and the Union preserved.
| Don't you almost give it up, Mr Greeley?
Oh. no." he drawled out, l don't give it up.
Nv faith is greater than that of the old woman
driving her horse down hill, who said she trusted
in Providence until the breeching broke, and then
she gave it up. Ny trust in Providence is greater
than that. We must subdue the Rebellion and
abolish slavery But it is dreadful dark time
and very trying to our patience"
While | resided in New-fork Mr.
Greeley frequently called me, and
on one occasion stayed with me over
week. lie could never write except by raising the
desk as high as his head. arranged in my library
desk of that kind expressly for his use, and
there he sat and wrote every day, his private
secretary calling for his manuscript for The 1rib
une.
He wore a pair of thck-soled cOwhide boots,
and begged him while in the house and at his
work TO take them off and put on pair of my
slippers. lie peremptofy refused, and said he
WAS used to the boots and it was all right L
insisted that slippers would he more comfortable,
add to his pleasure, and even prolong MS NE
guess not" said Mr.. Greeley, but II 1t dld'
| that would not be of much consequence 1t Is
not the length of mans life, but the GOOD or
evil which he does while here that counts l
nroad him 70 take off his coat and slip on one OF
my loose dressing gowns, which he also Declined
but finally accepted.
lie had many political callers at my residence,
asking favors or making suggestions. lie always
answered them firmly and somewhat dictatoraliy.
lie evidently understood them perfectly, and all
the subjects they brought before him. On one
occasion a seedy-looking individual called ana
asked for Mr. Greeley. Al first | hesltated about
admitting him, but he said that he and Ufeelcy
wore old cronies" and he must see him. A.
soon ,s they met Mr. Greeley said. SAM have
Won got around again? What have you pe'h
doing?o Sam who had a red nose, which
indicated what his principal occupation was re-
plied. Well. Greeley, have been trying nara
TO make living, and | can't do it; want 20"
tn yet me some place in the Custom House, no
matter if it is only messengers
Now, sam, what is the use p said Mr.. Greeley
! if could do that You would be drunk IN TWO
DAYS and only disgrace yourself and give tle
Collector the chance of lampooning me
Now, Horace replied sam, you have heip'u
me good many times, and have promised 20"
of,en n reform: bu; if you try IT once more you
NAV depend / will stick T. my re'olutons' ana
Won will have saved me from The poorhouae.
We'll. Sam il is very dsconngine sad Mn
Greeley. but / VIII try you once more slipping
oa his drcssing-govn and putting on hls coat, he
tool- Sam into Fifth-ave. stage end rode