Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-11-16

mark Of his favor, and doubled my
salary.
IF he ever smites you on the breast"
Michigan had once said 10 me. turn
the other side, for, man, your fortune is
made"
And there was some truth In the
warning.
He was writing when I came in.
woman sat beside him talking. An i'm
mense ham lay on the marble top OF
the steam radiator. A basket Of eggs
sat on the floor near Mr. Greeley's
desk. All sorts of merchandise were
sent to the Tribune those days for no.
tee and sold at auction to members Of
the stan by Mr.. Dana.
Yes. yes. madam. Go on, I hear
you." said the great editor as his pen
flew across the white page
She asked him then for loan Of
money. He continued writing. but pres
entity bis left hand dove into his trou-
eers pocket, coming up full Of bills.
Take what you want" said he, hold
ing it toward her land please 20, for
am very busy" Whereupon she
helped herself literally and went
away.
Seeing me. Mr.. Greeley came and
shook my hand warmly and praised
me for q good soldier.
"Going downtown" he said in mo-
ment, drawing on his big white over
coat. walk along with me, won't
you?"
We crossed the park he leading me
with long strides. As he walked he
bold how he had been suffering from
brain fever. Passing st. Pauls church
gard he brushed the iron pickets with
bis hand as II TO try the feel Of them.
Many turned TO stare at him curiously.
He asked me soon II would care to
do a certain thing for the Tribune.
stopping to look in Mt show window
"a answered him. l waited while he
did bis errand at a Broadway shop.
then we came back to the office. The
publisher was in Mr. Greeley's room.
where's my ham. Dave" said the
editor as he looked at the slab OF mar
bic where the ham had lain.
Don't know for sure" said the pub
lISllpT. IL pIObdbit UP WV hOuNC
Of tire - editor by this time
"TN'hat did you go an give 1t to him
fo.? drawled Mr.. Greeley in tone Of
r.reparable injury. II wanted that
Gem for myself"
Il didn't give it to him." said the
publisher. HE came and helped him.
self Said he supposed it was sent In
10. notice"
The Internal thief" Mr.. Greeley
swear if didn't keep my shirt but
toned tight they'd have that too"
The ham was serious obstacle in
the way OF my business, and it went
over until evening. But that and like
incidents made me to know the man as
have never seen him pictured-a boy
grown old and gray, pushing the power
Of manhood with the ardors Of youth.
resumed work on the Tribune that
week. My first assignment was q
> mass meeting in big temporary struc'
ture, then called wigwam. over in
Brooklyn. My political life began that
day and all by an odd chance. The
wigwam was crowded to the doors
The audience had been waiting half ar
hour for the speaker The chairman
had been doing his best to kill time
but had run out Of ammunition. He
had sat down to wait. An awkward
silence had begun. The crowd was
stamping and whistiing and clappins
with impotence. AS walked dOwr
the center aisle to the reporters table
they seemed to mistake me for thu
speaker. Instantly a great uproar be
gan. 1t grew louder every step took
began to wonder and then to feal
the truth. As l neared the stage thu
chairman came forward. beckoning Il
me. went to the flight Of steps lead
ing up to that higher level Of distin
guished citizens and halted. not know
ing just what to do. He came ant
leaned over and whispered down a
me- remember he was red In til,
face and damp with perspiration.
"What is your name" he inquired.
"Brower." said in a whisper.
A look of relief came into his face
and l am sure a look Of anxiety cam
into mine. He had taken the center o
the stage before could stop him.
Ladies and gentlemen" said he.
an glad to inform you that Genera
Brewer has at last arrived"
remembered then there was Gen
eral Brewer in the army, who was ais
apower In politics.
In the storm of applause that FOL
lowed this announcement l beckone,
him to the edge Of the platform again
was nearer condition Of menta
panic than l have ever known sine
that day.
u am not General Brower." l whii
pered.
"What" said he in amazemcnt.
81 am not General Brewer" said.
"Great heavens" be whispered. Gov
erlng his mouth with bis hand an
looking very thoughtful. "You'll hav
to make speech anyway. There's n
escape"
Icould sec no way out Of 1t and afte
. moments hesitation assembled tn
platform. took OF my overcoat an
made a speech. Fortunately the issu
was one with which ! had been lon
familiar. told them how had bee
trapped. The story put the audience 1