Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-10-26

young q tOke Vour ChOtcc!"
ment with that unfortunate co-ordina-
ton Of purpose men sometimes encoun-
ter when passing each other. Suddenly
the big mar stopped in the middle of
the stairway and held both of his
hands above his head.
IN Coda name, young man." said
he. take your choice.'
He spoke in a high. sQueaky voice
that cut me with the sharpness Of its
irritation. ] went on past him and an
tered an open door near the top Of the
stairway.
as Mr.. Horace Greeley I'M" I in
uuired Of a young man who sat read
ing papers.
Back soon." said he without looking
up. Take a chair"
In 4 little while I heard the same
heavy feet ascending the stairway two
steps Mt q time. Then the man l had
net came hurriedly into the room.
This is Mr.. Greeley" said the young
man who was reading.
The great editor turned and looked
1t me through gold trimmed spectacles.
gave him my letter out Of a trem-
bling hand. He removed it from the
Envelope and held it close to his big,
kindly, smooth shaven face. There
was a fringe Of silky, silver hair,
stresked With yellow, about the lower
part Of his head from temple to tenn
pie. 1t also encircled his throat from
under his collar. His cheeks We're full
and fair as a lady's, with rosy spots in
Them, and a few freckles about his
nose. He laughed as he finished read
ing the letter.
Are you Dave Brewers boy"" he
,sked in n drawing falsetto. looking at
me III Of gray eyes and smiling with
good humor.
"By adoption" l answered.
He was an almighty good rassler."
he said deliberately as he looked again
at the letter.
"What do you want to dog he asked
abruptly.
want to work IN the Tribune" !
answered.
Good Lord" he said. Il can't hire
everybody.
I tried to think Of some argument,
but what with looking at the great
man before me and answering his
questions and maintaining a decent
show of dignity had enough to do.
do you read the Tribunc?" he
asked.
Read it cver since l can remcm.
Der"
What do You think of the admins
tration:"
Lot OF dough faces" | answered,
smiling. as ! saw he recognized his
own phrase. He sat a moment tapping
the desk with his penholder.
There's so many liars here in New
York" he said. there ought to he room
for an honest man. How are the
crops?"
Fair" ! answered. big crop of
boys every year"
"And now you're trying to find q
market" he remarked.
Want to have you try them" l an.
ywered.
Well" said he very seriously, turn
ing to his desk. that came up to his
mn as he Sat DeSluc ~, ~ uhu NTlIt
me an article about rats"
"Would You advise | started &c
say. when he interrupted me.
1.-THE man that gives advice is n big
ger fool than the man hat takes it,
he feered impatiently. 'Go and dc
your best"
Before he had given me this injunc
ton he had dipped his pen and begun
TO write hurriedly. II l had known
him longer ! should have known tina
while he had been talking to me tina
tireless mind Of his had summoned
him to it's service. ! went out in higl
spirits and sat down u moment on ont
of the benches in tho little park neal
by to think IL all over He was g0ins
to measure my Judgment, my skill a
a writer, my resources. RATS" ] sait
to myself th%oughtfully. ] had reat
much about them. They infested thu
ships, they overran the wharfs, the,
t~raversed the sewers. An inspiration
caime to me. ! started for the watcl
front. asking my way every Block o.