The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-20
HE WHOSE DOLLARS STICK.
TRINITY CHAPEL,s ECCENTRIC COW
TRIBU TOR IDENTIFIED.

Every Sunday MORNING He Tastes y one-Doi-
lar Certificate on the P~late-Asted why
Yesterday re said $50 They Won't Bis~
Away "-AIsO Docs It for Masonic Reasons.
The man who has pasted a dollar bill on the
bottom Of n Trinity Chapel contribution plate
every Sunday morning for two years is at last
known by name to the authorities Of the chapel.
He is Virgil Richard Jaeger, q printer. He
lives at So Jane street. He pastcs his contribu.
lions to tho plate, he says, to keep them from
blowing away. He hints disconnect-
eddy at other reasons for his action.
As Mr.. Jaeger walked up the steps OF the
chapel at Eve minutes before IL o'clock yester-
day morning there was little about him TO at
tract attention. He had u thin German face.
iron.gray mustache, and q sparse tuft OF the
same color at the end Of his chin. His stiff hat,
necktie. coat, trousers, and shoes were uniform
ly n dull black. With erect, self'conident stride
he walked into the vestibulo, and he removed
his hat with a jerk. He went to the pew on tho
side nearest the chanoel and laid his hat on its
eide Oh the seat Two .cet away from him.
lusiio .Lo LAt, VIA one end tucked under, The
thin leather ban :, was a brand new 81 silver
certificate. The green sido was uppernost. Mr..
Jaeger knelt. rose, and Joined IN the scrvion.
No one In the chapel followed the prayers. re-
sponses, and hymns more carefully than he.
tasty on the pulpit. He did not so much a.
glance to right or left, or up or down. But, when
III became apparent Inat Inc bcTulOn Wnh Cloblnh
the Germans right hand stole out toward his
hat. His eyes were on the preacher as hxedly
as ever; There was no oppression ON his face
apparent that something. was going on inside
the hat where his hand was.
Prof. Henry Drisler. the vestryman who col
lects the otfertory on the western side of the
middle aisle. passed along the front OF the pow
win the wooden 9ftertory plate. H. held i out
his hat and withdrew the dollar, which he laid
NAT on the plate, face up. The bottom OF the
patted the bill down Into close adhesion with
the wood. He made two delicate debs with tho
iHip p a 81 his M, h lnGt =. t ib nnisS b Inc k moTk HI pr wss dS.
much a matter of course to him. Satisfied that
in the sent and folded his arms.
Prof. Drisler, to whom the ceremony Of Mr..
Jaeger's Offering has come to be as much a mat
ter OF routine as 1t Is to the Eiver himself,
waited patiently during the necessary moment
or two and passed down IN Eisle. When he de;
lvered the contents OF his plate at the chanccl
rail lie did not turn the money out into the sill
yer basin as the other yestrymen bad done:
that. He simply laid the plate itself, In the
offertory basin and stepped back TO his place.
When the pause for the retiring Of those Who
were not to stay 10 communion was made, Mr..
Jaeger went out TO the front door. He was fol.
lowed closely By two men, who were instructed
to explain the manner OF his offering. When he
reached the door he hold 1t wide open for these
men TO pass through, They went out and to-
ward Twenty.ffth street. He followed them
for fifteen or twenty steps, and then turned and
walked back TO the Twenty-si1th street gate so
swiftly and silently that the two men did not
know be was not behind them until they turned
To meet him On the sidewalk and saw him on
the other side OF the churrhyard at the Twenty.
sixth street idewalk looking up and down The
street.
They crossed the yard and were about to speak
to him when he left them abruptly, entered the
church grounds again and went into tho side
vesttbulc. There lie extended his left hand and
leaned against the inside door. which was closed,
He took of his hat and waved. It three times
about his head, for all the worl! as II he were
cheering. but not u sound crossed his lips. Tri
umph and glee sat in his oountenance while he
made these motions. He came out and faced the
two men Who we're following him;
looked piercinGiy into the eyes OF each Of then
in turn,
talk 70 you a moment. We want to ask you why
you use paste on your Offering;
He drew back suddenly. There were anger
alarm. and suspicion in his eyes.
shortly. He turped on his heel. as II to 30. Nnt
then turned back, And for Masonic reasons
| am a Mason"
This last was said menacingly. and the two
men EDGED away from him.
have seen people around here" he con,in
ned; II know them. Sometimes people go gu
and pretend to be M"sons and beg and solicit
have seen them around this church. ! hay
come here for many years; l know what to do
quainted with MANY faces between l25th stree
and the Battery. | know all SO Is OF people-b,
sight, AZ least i nave seen you before. Tor In
stance"
He turned suddenly on the man at his right
Then, Just as suddenly, he turned to the other
And you. too" he said, and started ono
more 20 go. but was stopped by a question as u
his name and address.
They have 1t in there" he said, pointing T.
the church. 81 am Virgil Richard Jaeger
printer by trade. home So Jane street"
He was asked what substance he used to glu
the money To the plate.
THE same as il was printed with. and tina,
OF course, Is a secret process" was all b
would say. When his Guestioucrs let him 20 h
lifted his hat and bowed as he said: Coos after
noon. gentlemen He marched away with
self-contaiued mirthlcss smile that had appearc,
on his face several times during the interview.
Sexton Albert Meurer says that Mr.. Jaegc
has been n regular attendant on the Sunda
morning service at the chapel for more than tw
years. Never in all that lime has he failed I
paste n dollar bill to the odertory plate. Tn
biz has always been removed from the plat
while still wet. 1t dries stin and hard In a fey
hours. and Is redeemed through tho Second Ma
tiOnal Bank. The Rev. Mr.. Vibbert. the vica
OF the chapel. instructed The sexton to find on
about the man, more out OF curiosity than fror
annoyance. In fact. the authoritiCs Of tn
church say that il 1t Is necessary for Mr.. Jaeger
peace of mind to make his gifts In a peculia
way they have no objection. He is not mi
taken, they say, In his belief that the chapel ha
his name and address.