Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-09-24
GREAT MEN AND eoRss.
Experiences OF Scientists and Literary
Men with Unweieome Visitors

Men with UnweIcome visitors,
A certain successful literary man
once granted an interview to young
gentleman. SAYS the Irish Times. The
youth began to talk about his accom-
plishments and his opinions. his auto
biography from the age OF 10, and
the doomed author soon saw that only
main force would make the terrible
gabbler cease. For two mortal hours
did this torturer chatter on to his own
entire satisfaction. The host, dwell
ing in secluded place. had not the
heart 10 turn the guest out into the
snow to wait two hours for train; so
he suffered and suffered until at
length, in spasm of acute boredom,
he said:
Mr. Blank, your train goes in two
hours time; YOU will find all the
weeks papers ON your right, | am
compelled to start to workln aud thus
procured respite from his guests
drivel
Another rather distinguished man
had one evening visitor who began
to speak about a certain branch Of
science. The host, perhaps a dozen
times in the space of two hours aud a
half, gave a preliminary Hem be-
cause he wanted 10 say something; but
the bore waved him down with a suave
'One moment if you pleasew What
the gagged man wanted to say, and
eventually dtd saw, was, that his call
ers lecture, though interesting, was
perfectly familiar to him.
You are, in fact" he concluded,
'discoursing on my own special sub
ject."
Such a statement should have discon.
certed man who had talked with one
even flow for the space OF l50 min.
utes. but not at all. With the placid
confidence of tho Thoroughbred bore
he sweetly remarked;
"Ah. well, you see how copiously
can talk on that subject Next time !
call You shalt see that / can be quite
as fluent on another branch of knowl-
edge
That second call has hot yet taken
place.
When we hear of cases like those
above cited we are tempted to wish
that all men had something OF Car
lylc's rudeness. The mighty Thomas
was bidding Good day to very con.
ceited young man who had favored
him with long sermon ON things in
general; he went politely to the door
and then saidi
We'll, Mr.. Blank, I've received We
for the sake of your father Now.
good-bys and I earnestly hore III
never see We againm
On another occasion Carlyle looked
in a passioriess way at visitor who
had been holding forth for ever so
tong. aud said:
Man, but ye're a pur creeturer
The anecdote recalls one of rob.
bier who once got rid Of a tiresume
caller by putting his hands on his lap
stone aud pensiyely gazing at the talk
ing nuisance. Finally be said:
Il suppose now they tell YOU that
God made you7'
The terrible insinuation was too
much for the bore, and he fied. utterly
routed
But unhappily all men can not be
rude. or, at any rate. they learn only
when persecution has become intoler-
able. Besides. these pernicious assail-
ants can not be shaken lightly of. Try
as one will. II is impossible to persuade
some men and women that one has not
an hour to spare for them. They will
grant that one should not spare a min
ute to anybody else, but their case is
so interesting and so very special that
the man who refuses to hear all about
the matter is a calloas brute. or an uD.
start. or something peculiarly aban.
doned That, by the way. is strange
thing, which should be carefully kept
in mind by all who ever hope to be
distinguished.
Kindness to people who have no
claim upon it is nearly alwavs repaid
by impadeuce. Every successful man,
from the statesman down TO the bet
ting man. Is besieged by people WHO
want his time or bis money. or both;
and The most cringing suitor is ready
to develop in a moment into the most
~ruiaiiy insolcut-perhaps going so far
AS to invent some atrOcious scandal re-
garding the individual who has Offend
ed him. In time the unhappy man of
eminence learns TO laugh at snch
things, but al first the infection is hard
10 endure.