The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-16
BRYAN AS STORY-TELLER.


New York World.
William ]. Bryan. who described himself
as "a country editor from the plains.' was
the guest Of honor at the Press Clubs
spring smoker last night. and for half an
hour he amused his fellow-newspaper men
with funny stories and incidental references
to his political past and future.
He began with story apropos OF the
declaration that he had defeated himself
by talking too much:
Il didn't tell this story in the campaign"
he said. "A man died in g town and no one
knew him. They took him TO the morgue,
where a young man came and said it was
his father. He ordered a handsome funeral
The undertaken put the body in readiness
for fine burial, and when all was pre-
pared the son came in to take a farewell
look. Just then the corpse's mouth fell
open and set of false teeth rolled out
It's not my father cried the young man.
and refused to pay for the funeral.
1.-THE indignant undertaken protested, but
it was no use. He pulled the body out of
the upholstered coffin, remarking angrily:
You idiot, you might have had a glorious
Well, that story doesn't hurt my feelings
now. I'm used to it,
Story No. my mouth has been a SUBJ
ject for criticism ever since / entered poll
tics. When look in the glass 1 feel there
is room for criticism. l spoke during the
campaign in little Illinois town. In front
of me sat man rigidly attentive. He
drank in every word l said l think he had
drunk in something else besides. When L
finished he came up and wrung my hand.
Mr.. Bryan he said, you are wonderful,
wonderful. You are the first man 1 ever
saw whose back teeth / could see all the
time he was speaking "
Story No. 81 enjoy the cartoons, even
though they are at my expense. There was
after the Kansas City convention. 1t rep
resented me as a topper standing in a state
of utter intOxication in front of a ginnill,
a bottle in my hand labeled 16-to-1.' David
b. Hill was represented as little girl, with
braided hair down his back, tugging at my
coat-tails and pleading: Father, Dear
Father, Come Home with Me Now
Story No. 4-"Back in 1888 l took part in
my first campaign. In the fifty speeches
made explained as well as could the rea-
sons why l thought the Republican candi-
date for Governor should not be elected
the election and the Republican candidate
had been elected by 2S000 majority l felt
that the Governor must feel little
hard toward me for the part 1 had taken
against him.
Il felt nervous every time l was in his
presence. ] expected him to reproach me.
few months afterward we were on the
same platform and | was all trepidatiOn. 1t
was a mixed programme and the Governor
introduced the speakers. When IL came my
turn a man whispered, w ]. Bryan next.
He said Il introduce w. J. Bryan Then
holding out his hand. 1 was greatly agi-
tated, remembering how l had antagonized
him. He said, Beg pardon. Mr.. Bryan, do
you speak or sing?
Story No. ST have had occasion several
times to say that L am not a candidate for
any Office and have no plans for any nomi-
nation whatever. / thought had made the
statement broad. A young reporter came
to me the other day in st. Joe and asked
me the question over: Do you mean to say
that you would not run for office under any
conditions whatever at any time during the
rest of your life? told him that was ask
ing too much. l said Il won't give bond for
life He sent it out pretty accurately. One
editor has said of that statement: If Bryan
decides TO give bond he will find plenty Of
securities
Editor Bryan said he was only the editor
of a country weekly.
~ am in the newspaper business" said
he, but / can't say that I entered it volun-
tarily. There were some circumstances
that led to it. 1t is very congenial. 1t is
hard TO compare 1t with speaking. I have
had two opportunities to speak, and / find
that failed to convince the majority of the
American people of the merit of my propo-
sition. / find writing the best"