Evening journal., 1910-06-22

NNhAa tAdt lhiOW ntWs interesting ana ift-
quently dramatic light on famous events
collected by Mr. Edwards during near
quaintance with many OF the cOuntrys
leaders since tho Civil War Each an
ecdote or incident is fresh from Mr.. Ed
wards notebook, and, either in whole or
IN part 1t constitutes NEW NEWS OF
Yesterday, garnered from the men
who made the neWs-the history-or from
equally authoritative sources. As i'm
pOrtant contributions OF the Human in
terest sort 10 American history, these
1rueles nave distinctive value all tnsr
own.
IN May there died the last OF the orig
nal group Of men who were associated
Intimately with Commodore Vanderbilt in
the building up Of his great railroad sys-
tenn This was Charles C. Clarke who as
auditor. treasurer and first vice e-president
Of the Commodore's railroad. was his en-
ployers financial right hand man for
years. For mere than half century Mr.
Clarke was a public character, first as
State employe and a banker. and from
1854 until his retirement. as a railroad man.
In that period he came TO meet most OF the
big men OF his state and his reconections
Of Millard Fillmore and Commodore Van
derblt were particularly vivid. Yet what
he called the most surprising experience
in his long business life had nothing to do
with either OF these great men OF yester-
day.
When I was assistant deputy treasurer
Of New York State at the time Sfnlard
Fillmore was comptroller" said Mr.
Clarke, Il made the acquaintance Of a
number Of men engaged in important busi-
ness undertakings in western New York
One Of these men was establishing bank
in the town OF Havana. he asked me to
take executive charge of it and 1 accepted
his offer. THAT was in the year 1857
soon after / went to Havana It be-
came necessary 70 make sbme important
changes in the bank building and offices.
and to do this work l employed a local
carpenter a very worthy man, who did
honest work. One day he brought with
him to the job a bright-eyed little fellow
who was. l should say. about nine years
old. The youngster attracted my atten-
tion and asked him If he went 10 school
He said he did, and then I asked him what
no wanted TO do when he became man.
He replied that he wanted TO own a news
paper
The next day the little fellow again ac-
companied his father to work He bore a
bunch of violets in his hand which he
difhdently held out to me, the while smil-
/ ing quantity You want to put them in a
pitcher with some water, he cautioned
"A day or two later the little fellow
came again to the bank, this time bring
ing with him a bunch Of daffodns I took
lHm between my knees and after thank
ing him for his gift asked him If he was
fond Of flowers Yes. he answered but
/ like the flowers that grow in the woods
best ana know most Of them.
"As the season passed from spring to
summer the boy marked the progress OF
the year by bringing TO my office the sea-
sonab,e flowers and one day, when hot
weather was on in dead earnest. he came
bearing very proudly - bunch Of pond
lilies which he said he had gathered
especially for me
Thus I was showered with the blooms
OF the seasons until the carpenter moved
away from Havana-at least, I lost sight
Of him and the boy. Two years later en-
tered railroad life and myself moved away
from Havana.
More than thirty years passed Then.
one day ] found myself in Albany for a
call upon the governor of the state in
connection with some important business
for my railroad company As + entered
the executive offices a gentleman. with
every evidence Of real pleasure showing
I'm his face. came up to me and extended
his hand why. how do YOU do. Alr.
ClarkeT he exclaimed. heartily. am
very glad TO see YOU after an these years.
But see that YOU do not remember me
I do not recall Governor. that have
ever met YOU Have 70 I was forced 10
confess
The Governor smiled I'm try to aid
your memory. Mr. Clarke. he,ssid. Don't
YOU remember carpenter named Hin who
repaired your bank at Havana? Don't you
remember his little boy whom he used to
call Davey. who sometimes brought you
nowers7'
Are you that lad. Governor HmT !
rasped, IN astonishment. And then. as he
smiled at my surprie, added truthfully
Every spring 1 have been reminded Of
that little boy by the sight Of violets. daf.
fodns and pansies I have often wondered
what had become Of him. But not once dit
/, ever occur 10 me that David 3 Hill
Governor Of New York. was the littl'
Davey who used 70 bring me flowers and
left me one Of tho most charming recol
lections Of my early manhood
" Yes. said the Governor when ha,
ceased. I was the boy. MT Clarke. I hav'
never forgotten your kindness and you
sympathetic talks with me And 7 hav'
long hoped that the day would come vhei
could see YOU again and renew that boy
hood acquaintance
Copyright. 1910 by F. J Edwards Al
Rights Reserved)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will toll o
"The Tribute That Ended a Famou