The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-30

Tom Gooderson was one of the p,st.
masters most trusted subof dinates Whom
the Postmaster was Commissioner of ths
Fire Department Mr.. Goodrrson VAS A
battalion chief, but two years ago be 10.
tired on pension ard became the Pls.
masters secretary. They we're like rar
of scufllng brothers when there were no
strangers about.
Tom, the Postmaster would saw, WHY
don't you get MARI led and have home Of
your own' It's time for a young fellow
like you to settle down"
GoodeE son is over so and tas a married
son. Gocdcyson in turn, pic,Nibed the
same medicine for the Postmaster.
Its time you became Il significant mem.
Der Of the community" he would say to
Mr.. Van Colt. You're old enough to vote.
and here you g. tearing abou, between
the Fifth Aven ue Hotel ard the Republican
Club"
This, as II alter of fact, was rank libel.
for the Postmaster hated clubs and always
said that they were a device of the devil,
II only young men spent Their time work
ing, he thought, instead of staring out Of
club windows, they would succeed olti-
cally and in every other way
Most of his time after Office hours ths
Postmaster spa mt in his office in the Fed.
eral Building with his valet, Taylor, a color d
civil war veteran. There was strange
sympathy between the two men.
Taylor is about three years younger
than the Postmaster was. OF late years,
sut saqucnt to the dc ath Of the Postma ster's
wifi, and his removal to tn, Lafayette
Brevoort Hotel, Taylor was never away
fro m him. Whenever the Pos; master VI nj,
on trip or for vacation he always took
Taylor with HIM
OF an evening they would sit together
In the Pos masters Office and talk over
old TIM $, or elsH the pos master would
be attending to his correspondence.
II was imusing to hear MIR. Van Colt
tell OF political events. For instance.
he was one Of those who believed that il
the nomination for Governor had been
offered to Mr.. Root the latter would have
anecdote regarding the nomination OF
Levi p. Mort on for Governor
Everybody said" he would say. that
Mr. Morton wouldn't take it and said, ST.
I'm bet he will, He was in Europe at the
TIM, and when he cam, back here went
down to meet him at tho stei MIR.
He was glad TO sec M and he in'to-
duc-d M to his wife and babies, and
said to him ST:
Mr. Morton, W. want you to run for
Governor of this STATE; will you do it"
and hn said to me, says he.
DO you think I can get it?'
Now that goes to show you thai YOU
mustn't count man out until you put it
up to him"
He had a store Of similar anecdotes
which he loved to ten over one Q!
his dry smokes. for the Pos master never
actually m lked, He bought great many
cigars, but he cons, md only about one
third Of each and that by chewing them.
His son Dick used to keep two kinds ot
cigars about his person. one for hmsrf
to smoke and another kind for his father
to chew.
Even to tho last Pos master Van Colt
preserved his e. nial spirits, When he
was lying on his 6eathbnd at tho hous' ot
his son in Eghty-sixth street and fit death
coming upon him he turned with smile
to Taylor ard said
Taylor, bettcr pack the bag. Guess
we I'll have to make a trip"
And Taylor burst into tears. Ha tried
to put poultioa on Mr.. Van Coft's breast.
but the Postmaster pushed it asidn:
NO use, Taylor he said. "Goot-hy,
He died like a Bishop" said Tavior.
with a smile on his face that was sorne-
thing grand