The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-12-10
The Boy Who Votes For Hanna.

"If Mark Hanna doesn't go to Heaven
I'm honest enough to say that 1 don't
want to go there" said Rev. James
Gray, pastor of the First Methodist
Episcopal church, of Ashley, Ohio.
In explanation of his faith in the
Republican leader. the Rev. Mr.. Gray
tells this story. He came to America
from England when he was boy and
secured work as farm hand in what
is now Lakewood, suburb of Cleve-
land. He was ambitious to study in the
Cleveland schools and made the start
with little money and no friends. He
entered the grammar grade in the
winter of IT and managed to get
along by carrying the Cleveland Lead
er and acting as janitor of church.
One of his subscribers was Mr.. Mark
Hanna, and frequently when the news
boy came with the paper Mr.. Hanna
had friendly greeting for him.
The boy soon discovered that some
had spoken favorably about him to the
Cleveland Herald people, and he was
asked to take charge of the circulation
of that paper on the West Side. This
he accepted, likewise retaining his
Leader route. He succeeded in secur-
ing such an increase in the circulation
that he could not furnish the money to
pay for them daily as the newspapers
required, for many of his customers
did not pay until the amount reached a
dollar or more.
Before long the newsboy found him
self In debt at the offices considerably
over 800, and as he mad no bank
account, and knew no one to go on his
bond, it was decided by the business
managers that he must surrender bis
positions. He says he could blame no
one for this as he was comparatively
unknown.
On the final afternoon when he ex-
pected to wind up his career as news.
carrier he left paper as usual at the
home of Mr.. Hanna, then on Franklin
Avenue. The eminent financier was In
his garden and had pleasant word for
the youngster.
Il want to say good-by," said the
lad; ssthis is my last day."
whats that?" demanded Mr.. Han
ma.
The newsboy told him the circum-
stances.
"See here, boy. this won't do" ex-
claimed the magnate. "You go back
as usual tomorrow to your work."
The future clergyman did so and the
cashier of the Herald greeted him as
he entered.
Gray" said he, "it's all right
about those papers; you needn't pay
until you get ready, and you can have
all you want"
"This incident" remarks the Rev
Mr.. Gray, "may seem like q small
1 matter to many, but to me it was o
vital Importance, and nothing gives me
greater pleasure than to recite 1t wheI
l hear Mr.. Hanna maligned, as al
such men are apt to be in the heat of I
political campaign"
Some time afterward, when the youtf
had given up his news work and wa
devoting all time to his studies in th'
West High School of Cleveland, the
clerk of the school one day invited hin
| into his Office and informed him tina
he owed him a considerable sum TO
tuition. The student replied that h
had no money and that he had no
known he was expected to pay. Tu
ition, however, was required, the la,
being q resident of suburb, and as b.
Icould not proceed further without pay
lment he packed his books and wen
home. That night knock came on hi
door and young man In Mr.. Hanna
employ handed him receipt for tn
tuition for the term.
| At the beginning of the next tern
the boy, having worked hard ard earn
ed enough at odd jobs out of school t
lpay his way. rendered the money.
mo-" said the clerk, ''you will hav
inothing more to pay at this school; ey
erything has been arranged
Mr.. Hanna, says the clergyman
would not listen to any words OF thanks
81 found he continues, that MI
Hanna, in the same quiet way, ha
watch the course of many young me-
and had assisted them, always takin.
care that the feelings Of those befriend
ed should not be hurt"