The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-27
TWO DEPEW STORIES
Characteristic Anecdotes Told by
the Popular Chauncey.
The Man Who Had Scheme for the
Largest Railroad System on Earth
and the Flattering Oriental Caller.
New York Recorder.

new 1OTk fleCOrOer.
The genial and ever interesting Chauncey
NJ Depew, whose good nature and good sto-
ries have made him so popular just AS his
many talents have made him famous re-
turns to us from abroad this morning. He
has been absent on one Of his vacation runs
in Europe, and has travelled further and
seen more than is usual on such occasions
This time he journeyed as far south as
Rome and, Ii Is said, even "toyed with the
chips at Monte Carlo. Nothing could he
more apropos. therefore, than two Of his
new stories coming fresh from the other
side-one by mail from friend in Rome
and the other by word of mouth from a
jolly comrade who had it from Depew him
self in Paris
The stage setting for both episodes is the
same. President Depew is seated at his
large desk, affecting the utmost gravity but
mentally recalling the last b. and S. he had
with the Prince of Wales at Homburg. The
clever and amiable Duval enters, L. IT, H.,
and approaches the president in a shock
ingly familiar manner.
''The old chap with that gigantic railroad
scheme is here again, Mr.. Depew," he says
This is the twenty-third time ne has called
and L think you had better see him. 1t is
evident that his staying qualities are better
than we thought
Perhaps you're right I replied to Du-
val. "Show the rooster in"
A tall man. with face as full of angles
as trust company's office is full OF wild
ows. entered, bearing immense roll of
canvasback paper-not ducks-and declin-
ing to take the proffered seat, he urholled
an enormous map Of the United States
partly across the desk. but chiefly upon the
20
rate production of pen and ink and saw IL
was railroad system starting from New
York and gathering up all the cities of the
West-very much the octopus throws
out its tentacles to fasten upon all victims
within its reach. I recollect that he had
planned an air line from New York to Osh-
kosh. over which the exploiter of the idea
assured me two hours and a half time could
be saved. as compared with any existing
route AS l have never been to Oshkosh
/ didn't know how badly a man might want
10 go there or how much worse he might
want to leave that town. But after my Wis
and will ADMIT that me he i 6isn len minutes
tnat would qualify him to shine as an after
dinner Inner taiker-I turned to him and said:
Pitt said to his secretary when he heard
tn that the a,I great Napoleon had won the bat
The mans face was a study. First he
wore an expression of interest then of
curiosity, next of doubt and finally OF con-
tempt as he remarked with chilling delib-
Grafton:
y don't give d what William Pitt
said TO his secretary when he heard that
the great Napoleon had won the battle of
But, sir, you surely must recall those
memorable words?" l said, with all the
was consumed by internal spasms Nv
manner was SO serious that the old fellow
eyed IT,, me for an entire minute. and then.
was .S to humor me, he asked
Well, what did he sayT'
he heard that the great Napoleon had won won
the battle of Austerlitz, Pete, roll up the
map Of Europe" ~ WV
new world gazed into my ewes with a
stony glare; then, turning suddenly upon
still stood. following him with nv ', ewes
I nee Gios intuityey that the incident, was
said: 'A anu
81 tumble to myself and If vou.u e,ve
me pass to my home in Michigan, Pll
stay there the rest OF my nfe'
HAS AN ORIENTAL FLAVOR.
The second tale comes straight from the
Via Rationale, but the stage setting is
exactly the same. There is an Oriental
flavor about it. when accompanied by the
admirable acting of MIR. Depew that cold
'SPe So~liiol lHlpart here is the Mr.
Depew related the incident the other dav
TO a friend they walked up the most
beautiful street in new Rome. under the
shadow or the American church:
1T was the hottest afternoon of last An
gust, and / was seated in my office trying
10 dispose or vast amount OF businesS
that had accumulated during my absence
at the worlds fair. / was debating 10 two
diHerent stenoSraphers. and staining every
nerve 10 complete my work when a large
and deliberately engraved card was brought
10 me bearing the words. 'Abdarahman
Khan, Teheran.' followed by several lines
OF Persian characters that did not bother
to read.
When / was dining with the Prince OF
Wales on one occasion / met Osnan Khan
and a delightfully."- agreeable man he was
At the worlds fair. from which | had lust
returned, had been presented to the OFF,
cal representative of the Shah, and AT
once assumed that he was the distinguished
visitor who was awaiting audience i'm the
outer room. j realized that, important as
were my duties, i would have TO see him
at once, and / hastily put on my coat
which, in the heat of the day / had cast
aside. and gave directions that the dstin-
guished Persian gentleman should be adj
mitted remained standing TO receive him
and my first sight OF my visitor convinced
me that he was all had pictured him.
He was faultlessly dressed i'm a suit of
finest broadcloth that fitted him perfectly.
His coal-black nustache and goatee were
narvels of the BARRIERS art and the rich.
warm blood of the Orient tingled in his
olive cheeks. His bow was grave and
cOurtly. as became a near companion To
the king OF kings. Nasr-ed-dine.
which he dropped and curied his feet up