Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-04-23

any tobacco?" he asked Of slug twenty,
as the bell rang
eyes" he continued as he took his
place at his case, II could have been
the governors private secretary if l
had wanted the place, but went back
and worked on my paper till"
Here he stopped. Although he would
| talk for hours of things that happened
to him during his balmy days, he never
spoke of the circumstances which
caused him to go out into the world q
| tramp.
He worked away for nearly six weeks
and we had come Co iouR upon him as
permanent fixture, when one morning
his stand was vacant and the word went
round that Old Pete was drunk and
that his discharge would be forthcom-
ing. Toward night he came around to
bid us good-by, looking more pathetic
than ever.
"Couldn't stand it any longer" he
said, apologetically; "stayed sober
longer this time than had before for
ten years. Had to do it, had to do it,"
he repeated, with silly laugh, as he
passed out to begin again his weary
| tramp.
Time passed on and Old Pete and his
remarkable career were alike forgotten.
One morning / was gratified to re-
ceive notice of my appointment to
higher position in the establishment
which employed me. The duties of my
new position later in the season took
me to the capital of one of the central
western states The business, while
not occupying all my time, required my
presence in the city for several days,
and 1 had ample time to view the magic
metropolis and admire its splendid
streets and residences. My business
caused me to form the acquaintance of
an elderly gentleman who had been a
resident of the city since its early days
and who was perfectly familiar with
its history and public men.
| One afternoon he volunteered to take
me for drive through the beautiful
avenues. and as we passed along the
shaded drives he pointed out the homes
of many prominent citizens and men of
state reputation.
THAT" he said, indicating an ele-
CANT mansion standing some distance
back from the street. sis the home of
Judge Wilkes. Burbanks used to own
that place before he went to pieces"
"Burbanks?" l asked, struggling to
recall where had heard the name.
| "Yes, Peter Burbanks, the wealthy
and talented journalist who established
and published the Herald so long"
| / thought of Old Pete. Was it possible
| the two men were the same?
"What became of him?" asked.
event to the bad entirely. Haven't
heard of him for ten years. Why, he
could have been governor if he had
stayed here"
"Was he raised here?" 1 inquired,
thoroughly interested.
"No, he came here about thirty years
ago, when the town was new, and
worked as printer for year or two.
Then he bought little Office and
started the Herald. 1t grew and pros
pered and made it's owner wealthy. He
became noted all over the state and
was at one time the confidential friend
and adviser of the governor. He
achieved his greatest popularity by be-
ing sent by the governor to inquire into
pending trouble among the miners at
Carbondale. So successful was he in
his mission that he was urged aad finally
consented to become candidate for the
Legislature"
What caused his downfall?"
''Oh, it grew out of this very cundi-
dacy. After the election, which re-
suited in his defeat, he made very
bitter attack upon strong combina-
ton that had opposed him, charging
fraud and dishonest conduct. The
attack was particularly directed toward
a man named Wilson, who was a
notable man in the state at that time,