The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-12
HORACE GREELEY's LETTER.

Horace Greeley was noted for his unread
able handwriting, and only one printer on
the Tribune could decipher it. The Phila-
delphia Saturday Evening Post Of recent
date tells how one of Mr. Greeley's supscriu-
ers wrote to him for some advice about
hens. stating that he wished to 60 into the
poultry business. The reply to the letter
was as follows:
New York. Sept. s-The war was q failure. 1
hoped to sec JEFF Davis In tho White House. A
young man stands the best chance in Rhode Is
land. Tho Tribune is the poorest newspaper In
New York. Yours truly. HORACE
The next day the puzzled subscriber went
to New York and called upon the great
editor.
Well. who are you and what DO you
WANT he said in a h~iSh-keyed voice, with
out looking up or missing a single pen
stroke.
Il am Reverend Mr.. Van Dee Of Dutch
ess County" the subscriber answered.
keeping one eye on tho door In case ne
should become violent.
Never heard Of YOU" he returned. jao-
bling and boring with the per.
II wrote to you q few days ago, ana l
don't just understand your letter In reply
"Whatd You write about7"
Hens. l."
Hens! Certainly! My reply was about
hens. When you inquire about hens you
get hens in answer Whatd you expect
hippopOtami?"
Pardon me. Mr.. Greeley. but you did
not write one word about hens. l have the
letter IN my hand"
Read it!' he snortsd. beginning to let up
q little on the pen.
Very well!" The letter was read.
You blistering IDIOT" he screamed, then
whirled around and looked at the visitor
ferociously. olive me- that letter.
Reverend Nh. Van Dee stepped forward
and handed It to him. He snatched 1t saw
-zI oorau~d 80 lta ArAe ond hogan to
study 1t. Gradually his face heightened and
grew blank Then he read 1t in a low.
sQueaking voice az II thinking aloud.
He paused with his mouth half ope.. and
looked at the Reverend Mr.. Van Dee for
a full minute. Then he suddenly recovered
himself and struck q bell "A boy appeared
and he said:
60 up to tho composing-room and ask
Mr.. Larkway to come down here
The boy disappeared. The visitor remem-
bers1 having heard the name as that OF
the only compositor WHIT could read Gree
ley's cory.
In a minute or two Larkway shambled in,
wearing carpet slippers and carrying a
lackene cob pipe In one hand. He was
short, thick set. very bald. and he looked
ut his chief bel1cosely over a pair of mis-
shapen iron spectacles. evidently expecting
q row about some mistake in his work.
rs that my writing, Larkway2'
1eS, SlC.
Read it"'
New York. September S.-Ths war was 4 fall
ure. 1 hoped to see Jer Davis In the White
House. A young man stands the best chance
in Rhode Island. The Tribune 10 the poorest
newspaper In New York. Yours truly.
HORACE GREELEY.
As he finished Greeley eank back in his
chair helplessly.
I'm done fort" he grasped feebly.
Just then LarlSway took a quick forward
step, e~xclaiming:
Hold on! There's a nhstakc! 1 had it
wrong end up!' He seized the letter, save
it a quick turn and then read:
chappaaua. Sept. s.-Dear Sir: You will find
the Brahmas best for your purpose. Leghorns
are good layers. but they require a high fence. IL
you decide on Leghorns YOU can clip one wing.
Please report how you succeed.
HORACE
As he finished Greeley sat up in his chair
as IL made Of tempered steel springs. lie
turned his blazing eyes on the quaking Wis
itor. and. in a voice which put his teeth
on edge, cried:
Go back to Duchess County. young
man. go back to Duchess County. Stay
there. Get down on your hands and knees
and see II you can learn from your mems
how TO pick gravel! Keep at it!'