The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-01
HOW HE MET GREELEY.
Manner in Which the Late Amos j.
Cummings Got a Job.
Washington Star.

II once heard Amos ]. Cummings tell
with considerable gusto, the story of his
first meeting with Horace Greeley" said
an official of the House who was on close
terms with the deceased congressman from
New York. 1T was not long after the war,
and when Mr.. Cummings found himself
back in the big city he was in no financial
shape at all. Not only that, but he looked
to the last degree seedy in an awful suit of
multi that he had picked up somewhere
or another.
"He walked into the Office Of the New
York Tribune to brace the great Horace
for a printers job. He waited about an
hour in an ante-room for chance 10 see
the famous editor. but the boy at the
editors door, contemptuous of Amos rag
ged-looking exterior, held him at arms
length while dozens Of other visitors went
in and out of Greeley's den.
FINALLY becoming impatient, Cummings
took the boy at the door by the scruff of
the neck, pushed him aside and boldly
walked into the presence of Horace Gree
ley. Greeley was at the moment spouting
away profanely TO OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
visitor on some subject connected with the
war, and Cummings saw that the old man
was in one of his famous profane and
testy humors But that didn't Tease Amos
any. He strolled up to the old gentleman's
desk during a pause in the EDITORS TRADES
and stood before him with grin.
Who the devil are you, sir? squeaked
Greeley, regarding the hobo-like- looking
Amos over the tops of his glasses.
Names Cummings-Amos ]. Cum
mings, responded the jovial Amos ].
And what the devil do you want? And
what the devil do you mean by catapulting
yourself in here without sending your
name? Greeley bawled at him.
Want work as q compoSitor-couldn't
get the brat at the door to fetch my name
in replied Cummings coolly.
His GOODNESS rather made hit with the
old man. who sized Cummings up shrewdly
and permitted the cragglness of his man.
ner to abate somewhat.
Want a job as a compositor, hey?'
piped Greeley. What makes you think you
need q Job as compositor, young man?
Cummings wasn't slow TO seize his
chance, and he seized this one. Grinning
in the great editors face for half minute
he whirled around and gave Mr.. Greeley a
view OF his back.
This. replied Amos j. and then Gree
ley and his visitor broke into a roar. Mr..
Cummings trousers were clumsily patched
with piece Of brilliant red flannel.
Give this man work. Greeley scrubbed
on a piece Of paper, which he told Cum
mings 10 take 10 the foreman of the COM
posing room, and Amos J. began to stick
type for the Tribune that night
"A few weeks after Cummings began
work as printer on the Tribune he got
hold OF a piece of copy which announced
the death on the day before OF a political
friend Of his whom he had seen alive and
in perfect health or that very afternoon.
Cummings told the foreman about this
and the foreman in a spirit of mischief
told Amos j that he'd better see the old
man about it
cummings, Degrlmed and gummy look
ing. took the piece of copy straight down
to Greeley's Office.
This mans not dead he said handing
the piece OF copy 20 the editor Saw him
this afternoon and had a drink with him.
You're a ID fool. young man. was
Greeley's sharp reply. If he's not dead he
ought 10 be- for the political man whose
death was mistakenly announced was an
enemy OF Greelys.
Greeley started an investigation as 10
the mans death, nevertheless and he
hat 81.