The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-09
ONE OF GREELEY's LETTERS.
It Could be Read Upside Down as We'll as Right Side In.

horace iireeley was noted for his un- resauanie nesa handwrlting. and only one U. The Philadelphia Saturday Evening Post tells how one of Mir. Greeley's sub- scrioers wrote to him for some advice aoout hens, stating that he wished to go into the poultry business. The reply to the letter was as follows; New York. Sept. 8. The war was failure. I hoped to see Jen Davis in the White House. A young man stands the best chance in Rhode Island. The Tribune is the poorest news paper in New York. Yours truly. Horace Greeley. 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 asked in a high keyed voice without looking up or missing single pen strokes
 T am Rev. MT. Van Dee of Duchess County" the subscriber answered, keep ing one eye on the door in case he should become violent.
 Never heard of you," he returned jabbing and boring with the pen. T wrote to you a few days ago and l don't just understand your letter in reply"
 ,s.Mhat'd you write aboutr' hens When you inquire about hens, you get hens in answer. whatd you expect --hippopotami?"
 Pardon me. Mir. Greeley. but you did not write one word about hens. I have the letter in my hand. Read it." he snorted, beginning to let up a little on the nen.
 Very we'll" The letter was read.
 You blistering idiot!' he screamed, then whirled around and looked at the visitor ferociously. Give me that let ter!"
 Rev. MT. Van Dee stepped forward and handed 1t to him. He snatched it savagely. screwed up his eyes and be- heightened and grew blank. Then he read 1t In a low, squeaking voice as If thinking aloud.
 He paused with his mouth half open. a full minute. Then he suddenly recov- cred himself and struck bell. A boy appeared. and he said:
 "Go up to the composing room and ask Mir. Larkaway to come, down here"
 The boy disappeared. The visitor re- membered having heard the name as that of the only compositor who could read Greeley's copy.
 In a minute or two Larkway shambled in. wearing carpet slippers and carrying a blackened cob pipe in one hand. He was short thickset, very bald. and he looked at his chief bellicosely over patr of misshapen iron sDectacles. evi- dently expecting a row about some mis- take in his work.
 "Ts that my writing, Larkway"'
 "Yes. sir"
 "New York. Sept &.
 "The war was failure. l hoped 10 see Jeff Davis in the White House. young man stands the best chance in Rhode is- land. The Tribune is the poorest news paper in New York. Yours truly, .. Horace Greeley"
 As he finished Greeley sank back in hls chair heIolesSly.
 Just then Larkway took a quick for- N"IH "Hold pn! Tn res a mistake. I had it wrong end up!" He seized the letter. gave 1t a quick turn and then read: "Chappaaua, Sept. s.
 Dear Sir-You will find the Brahmts best for your purpose. Leghorns are good layers. but they require a high fence. If you decide on Leghorns you can clip one wing. Please report h9"
 As he finished Greeley sat up, in his chair as if made of tempered steel snrinRs. He turned his blazing eyes on the oualdng visitor and In q voice "hlch mi his teeth on edge cried:
 "Go back to Duchess County: ySSutnS Stts man! Go back to Dutchess County. stay there! Get down on your nanos anu tnaes and see if you can learn rom vour hens how to pick gravel heep ot {tu'