St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-02-03

me to the private room Of Gen. Phil
Sheridan in Washington. A CHEEKY
Come in" in the most ordinary
fashion followed my knock on his
door. Before he knew my business
he nodded and smiled brightly, and
extended his hand.
beautiful day, is it not?" he
said pleasantly, and when [ stated
briefly the object of my visit, to in
terview him on certain matters con-
nected with the
Welfare of the Army,
he smiled again, and said:
"Ah, yes; I'm glad to meet you.
Let me see" he added, musingly,
what L can tell you that will be Of
interest"
I'm afraid" he continued, half
regretfully, that the matter is not
yet ripe for publication, but in a day
or two perhaps 1 can give you a
good story
Gallant Little Phil actually
seemed sorry that he could not vio
late the rules of the service in order
to obIige mean ordinary, plodding
newspaper reporter. He made me
feel that if there had been anything
to give out, [ would have had it. His
smile was free and hearty, his man
ner was Enthusiastically that of the
refined and courtly officer and man,
pleased as if he had given me a page
of news.
A wealthy man of this city upon
whom l called one night in relation
to a matter Of much Importance,
arose and led the way to the door.
remarking impatiently:
II don't care to talk about it,
and, besides, you should have seen
me at my office, not at my home"
I have never forgiven that man for
his ignorance. 1t was nothing else.
He didn't know any better. He is
still here, and so am I, and I'll wager
a good sum that I enjoy life more
than he does. On the day following
that very brief interview l enjoyed
a striking contrast. 1t was just at
the time when the rumor had been
started that the then Bishop Ireland
had been made archbishop. I called
on the reverend and brainy man for
some information on the subject. He
had already been through the inter-
viewing mill and had been annoyed
in countless ways, yet he well
coined me affably in the polished
and suave manner [ have since
learned to know so well.
While he was in no position to
give me any news, he made me feel
"at home" and while the interview
was unsatisfactory, so far as news
was concerned, l felt elated and
complimented to think that the
archbishop would give me such
prompt audience and treat me so
politely 1t quite destroyed the rec
objection of the previous interview
on the hill, and ever since then,
when I have had occasion to call on
Archbishop Ireland, who is recog-
nized as one Of the most intellectual
men in America, I have enjoyed the
| same cordial treatment.
Contrast that wealthy mans i'm
politeness with the gentlemanly
bearing and cordial good nature of
! EX-Gov. Merriam, a man who has
attained marked eminence through
out the country, and who will one
day ornament the halls of the
United States senate. [ have inter-
viewed him scores of times. He
never said he was too busy to see
reporter. His innate refinement
and politeness could not permit
him to do anything that would seem
like a snub.
Come right in" he said heartily
one day when I called Oh him at the
bank, and, stepping to a friend who
was in the room, he excused himself
and walked over to where 1 was
standing.
Now, sir" he said, pleasantly, 81
am at your disposal"
He not only gratifed my wish for
news on a certain matter, but ap
peared to take a personal interest
! in my search, He has always been
! that way, and it is as pleasant for a
st. Paul reporter to interview Bill
Merriam as it is for a New York re-
porter to interview Chauncey De-
pew.
I went ore day to see a we'll
known city official. He looked UP
! and said CURLY:
"Well, what do you want now?"
When 1 told him, he replied, turn
ing to his work:
ooh, don't propose to be both