Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-22
Anecdotes Being Related About
the Banker and Man of
Letters
INCIDENT OF HIS EARLY DAYS
Adventure With Mint Ju!ep While
Visiting Southern Family-6lessins
He Invoked at Dinner In Absence of
a Minister-odd Experience In France

lie tlul tIt LAY ultSs VI oAS oAA>S
found 1t necessary to "rusticate" him.
says the New York Press. Remorse for
his youthful depravity seemed not to
have imbittered him. however. for he
told with reminiscent gee Of his adven-
lures in that memorable time Of his
withdrawal from his alma mater.
To fill the leisure thus imposed on
him he took trip to the south, region
with whose social customs he was
largely unfamiliar, to visit chum.
On the first morning of his stay as
he arose to dress he was surprised by
the entrance of an old darky. who
brought in q large pitcher containing
liquid of strange but seductive odor
Mars Tom the aged servitor e1-
planned, "he reckoned dat Mars Ed
mund might want some mint julep be-
fob breakfas'." with which invitation
he set his burden on the table and with
drew.
MIR. Stedman was prepared for any
household ceremonial which might be
in order. He took an inquiring sip
The drink was delicious. and only the
quantity seemed appalling. AS he pro-
ceeded with the operation Of dressing
however, he frequently required to It,
1t was large pitcher. and 1t was pref
ty full. but gradually there came over
him a sense Of the duty imposed on
him and an appreciation of the fact
no 10 Of no north Mt
stake.
He found each sip more refreshing
than the last, however and as be saw
the bottom Of the pitcher he became
convinced that no form of hospitality
could be more pleasant and no social
and family customs more delightful
than those found in the southern home
AS he finished his toilet with growing
difficulty the darby again made his ap
pearance. He gaZed at the empty
pitcher, then the visitor. then at the
pitcher and at the visitor once more
with rolling eyes and departed with
shaking shoulders.
Somewhat mystified, yet happy, Mr..
Stedman descended to breakfast with
a surprising sense Of difficulty in nav
igation. AS he steered to his place the
family-a large one, containing several
girls-looked at him with glances star
tied, amused, Mortified
The meal and the remainder Of the
day, which he passed in close retire
ment. he confessed, remain as vague
dream In his mind. 1t was not until a
few days later that he discovered he
had consumed the entire family's morn
ing allowance of mint julep, which, &C.
cording to the southern custom, had
been carried first to the guest.
When Mr.. Stedman was visiting IN
New England a few years ago he was
called upon by the head of the house
while at dinner to invoke the divine
blessing, says the Boston Herald.
II was rather surprised and for half
minute sorely tempted" said Mr..
Stedman In relating the incident; "then
rose to the occasion and asked n
grace which l remembered"
but, Mr.. Stedman," demanded the
young woman of the party eagerly,
what were you sorely tempted to
do?"
"As Charles Lamb did under similar
circumstances. He looked about the
board and asked in surprise, is there
no clergyman present? The hostess
shook her head. Then Lamb prayed,
For this and all other mercies, o Lord,
make US truly thankful
While on a visit to France Mr.. Sted-
man stopped one day on a country
road to admire the surrounding coun-
try, says Harper's Weekly. AS he
stood gazing meditatively over the
fields he noticed that several peasants
who passed him on the road bowed
and took off their hats to him.
Mr.. Stedman was at first surprised
at their salutes in his honor and won
dered for whom these polite peasants
mistook him, but as they were repeat
ed by peasant after peasant he finally
concluded that his reputation had pen
etrated farther than he had ventured
to suppose. AS he moved away from
the spot he happened to glance behind
him. He had been standing in front
Of a statue of the Virgin.
Time did not diminish the dislike
Edmund Clarence Stedman felt for the
designation "banker-poet." says the
New York Mail. 1t was hurled at him
one night when he was present at a
banquet to a friend whose ideals, like
his own, have always been two dec
AIDES in advance Of his age, and, Sc
the story goes, he was provoked to OBJ
serve in his genial manner:
Call me banker If you will and poet
If you must, but banker-poet has NO
scientific position. The terms are mu-
tually exclusive, except on the princi-
pie that right hand knows not what
4 left doeth-a happy anomaly existing
uly in benevolent imagination"
Too Good.
"Why do you shudder? Isn't the
mint julep good?'
That's the trouble, sub; it makes
my mouth water"