The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-08-15
STORIES ABOUT BEECHER
In One Henry Ward Got the Better of
the NeWspaper Man,


A prominent military man of Brook
Ign tells this story of Henry Ward
Beecher: After the war there were a
number of returned soldiers who did
not at once fall into the.ways of peace
and industry, and--were therefore, in
want. When it was found, as was the
fact, that Beecher's pocket was re-
sponsive to appeals of distress, the
fact was spread abroad, his doors were
besieged ana his walks waylaid.
Finally Mrs. Beecher came to the
rescue, to stsve them off and protect
her liberal, sympathetic and distin-
guished husband from them. But one
of these besiegers was particularly
persistent. He tried again and again,
every denial apparently being but
encouragement to further effort. While
this was going on Mr.. Beecher's hat
rack was robbed-his storm coat, his
overcoat, his cane, his umbrella, even
his famous black SLOUGH hat, were
taken. Suspicion pointed to the per-
sistent one, but the theft could not be
fixed on him.
One day, after the robbery of the
hat rack, the persistent one appeared,
more persistent than ever, and finally
was admitted to the great preacher S
presence. Approaching, he said.
81 come to you, Mr.. Beecher," he
said, sin great distress of mind. 1
am overwhelmed with shame and re-
morse. Ny conscience will not permit
me to be easy until come to you and
confess that 1 am the man who robbed
your hat rack. Now that have made
the confession, I can say I was tempt
ed by the pangs of hunger and an open
door to the deed, and that l am de-
termined from now on to live the life
of decent man. But first your for
giveness is necessary. l cannot restore
the articles have taken
"Well, said Mr.. Beecher, 81 shall
probably forgive you-as matter of
fact 1 do freely but what are you 60
ing to do to try to live while you are
making an effort at a decent life?"
"Why, 1 have made up my mind to
get some little things 1 can carry a
round in a basket and sell. -
"Have you any money to start
yourself2"
mo. But it will take only few
dollars if 1 begin in small way
Beecher's hand went into his pocket
and came out with ten-dollar bill
attached, which he handed over with
his blessing. That afternoon the great
preacher came across his man with q
glorious jag, informing all passers-b by
that he had a Beecher drunk on,
since the preacher paid for it.
Here is another story of Beechel
which has never before got into print.
A young newspaper man who was the
Albany correspondent of metropoli
tan daily entered the station at Forty
econd street to take the train for tn
state capital. He saw the great
Plymouth preacher sitting modestly
retired, awaiting a train that would
take him to his country seat, Peek
skill The newspaper man was wei
known to Mr.. Beecher and so went tt
him to pay his respects.
son your way to Albany, pre-
sume," said the preacher. "Are thu
legislative sessions interesting andex-
citingR"
GAS dull as dishwater," replied the
journalist. "Indeed, for my letters
am compelled to draw on my imagian
tion for my facts.
Mr.. Beecher looked up with merr,
twinkle in his eyes and prompt,
completed the quotation from Sheri
dan: "'and on your memory for you
wit 30
The newspaper man felt as if b.
had been knocked down.