Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-01-31
STEOMAN THE POET,
Anecdotes Told About the Bank
er and Man OF Letters.
INCIDENT OF HIS EARLY DAYS.
Adventure With Mint Julep While
Visiting . Southern Fsmily-elsssins
He invoked at Dinner In Absence 81
o Minister-odd Experiences In France

Visiting . Southern Fsrily-elsssins
He invoked at Dinner In Absence ef
o Minister-Odd Experience In France
Few who are familiar with the con
yeniional severity Of Edmund Clar.Iee
Sredman. the banker. poet. critic. lit
terateur aud man OF letters, who died
recently in New York. would imag-
ine that the faculty OF Yale once
found IL necessary TO ''rusticaie" him.
says the New York Press Remorse for
his youthful depravity seemed not To
have imbittered him. however. for he
told with reminiscent glee Of his adven-
lures In that memorable time Of his
withdrawal from his alma mater.
To all the leisure thus imposed on
him he took trip TO the south. region
with whose social customs he was
largely unfamiliar. TO visit chun.
On the first morning OF his stay ms
he arose TO dress he was surprised 10y
the entrance Of an old darky, who
brought In a large pitcher containing a
liquid Of strange but seductive odor.
MARS Tom" the aged servitor eS-
planned, he reckoned dat Mars Ed
mund might want some mint julep be-
fob breakfas'." with which invitation
he set his burden Cd the table and with
dp'w.
Mr.. 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 II.
II was a large pitcher. and ii was pref
~ full. but gradually there came over
him sense of the duty Imposed on
him and an appreciation Of the fact
that the reputation of the north was at
stake.
He found each sip more refreshing
than the last. however, and as he 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 I'm the southern home,
AS he finished his toilet with growing
difficulty the darby again made his ap-
pearance. He gaZed ut the empty
pitcher. then the visitor. then az the
pitcher and at the visitor once more.
with rolling eyes and departed with
shaking shoulders.
Somewhat mystifed, set 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 US 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, ac-
cording to the southern custom. had
been carried first TO the guest.
! When Mr.. Stedman was visiting I'm
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.
Il was rather surprised and for half
minute sorely tempted" said Mr..
Stedman in relating the incident; then
! rose to the occasion and asked 4
grace which remembered"
But, Mr.. Stedman," demanded the
I young woman of the party eagerly.
what were you sorely tempted 10
| dof"
LAS 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 visit to France Mr. Sted
man stopped one day on a country
road to admire the surrounding coun
! try. says Harpers Weekly. AS he
stood gazing meditatively over the
fields he noticed that several peasants
who passed him on the road bowed
and took of 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 from,
Of 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 hin
one night when he was present at 9
banquet to friend whose ideals, like
bis 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 IL you will and poe,
u you must. but banker-poet has nc
scientific position. The terms are mu
tually exclusive. except on the ptinci
pie that a right hand knows not wha,
a left doeth-a happy anomaly existing
only in benevolent Imagination