Evening journal., 1910-06-14

In the days when Thurlow Weed. as
editor Of the great Wing organ, the
Albany CN. W Journal. was a power
in the land. even to being a President
maker. his great editorial opponent was
Edwin Croswell editor of the official
newspaper OF the unofficial but nation-
ally powerful group Of Democrats. in
Guiding Martin Van Buren,, known in
the political history of the country as
the Albany Regency. When Mr.. Weeu
became editor of The Journal he at
once vigorously attacked the regency,
thereby gaining his first national fame
and at the same time making a personal
as well as political, enemy of Mr.. Cros-
well.
All the years that the two men re-
NAMED Albany edtors-and the years
we're many, numbering thirty-three for
Mr.. Weed-they carried their politics
into their personal lives. Finally there
came the time when both men retired and
Mr.. Weed went to New York TO live, and
there one day, occurred what was prob
ably the most dramatic of an the many
/ interesting incidents in which the two
/ old-time enemies played the leading parts
Born the same year. 1897 and i'm the
same region Thurlow Weed had grown
up i'm poverty with his father confined
in a debtors prison. Edwin Croswen haC
been petted and admired as a boy, for hl
was the child of the richest man of tn,
community. But when Mr.. Weed settled
in New York city TO spend his closinl
years. he was the wealthy one and Mr.
Crosweu the one without a fortune. In
deed. not very long after this frien,
went to Mr. Weed with a surprising quer,
on his lips.
Mr. Weed. he said, do YOU know
that Mr. Croswen your old-time editoria
opponent. is almost in want? He has nj
fortune and no income, and he is great.
distressed"
why" said DIr Weed, instantly. tina
NUT be attended to; such a situation mus
not he permitted to exist any longer.
will see some gentlemen OF his party, am
some. also. who are OF my own. and
have no doubt that a fund can be raise
which will provide an income sufficient q
make him comfortable the rest of hi
life"
An hour later Mr. Weed was about hi
mission. Among others he called on wa
Marshall o. Roberts. who, when It seem
ed probable that the Atlantic cable projec
was doomed to failure told cyrus w
Field TO rely upon him for whatever fin
ancial support was needed.
MI Weed" said Mr.. Roberts. when H.
had heard Mr. Weeds story. 81 am III
owner Of house not far from Waning
ton Square II is unoccupied, but comfort
ably furnished ] will not only subscribe Il
a fund for the support Of Mr.. Croswell
but ! viii also make him a life tenant o
that house rent free.
Thus with assistance gained here am
there among the leading men Of the day
Mr.. Weed I'm the course of a few weeks
had not only a fund. but a roof, As well
provided for his old enemy's comfort. The
he invited Mr.. Croswell, who knew moth
ing Of the movement 70 take care Of him
TO be-his guest in New York and Mr.. eros
well came.
The next morning Mr.. Weed took hi
guest to the Roberts house and shower
him all through in. Edwin he said a
last. 'how do you ike this house?'
''It is a charming home" was the reply
Edwin" answered Mr.. Weed, cit is q
be your home as long as you live or car
10 occupy IT, Your friends have seen to
that YOU are 10 be provided for. and thi
home is one of the provisions. II ism
gift. It isn't a charity. II is simply a fai
lrecompense 10 YOU for your unselhsh ser
vice as a public citizen-so unselhsh. Ed
win. that YOU have never properly care
for yourself"
For a moment Mr. Croswell locke
blankly into Mr.. Weeds face. then urne
his head to hide his emotion. And as h
did so he reached out his hand. graspe
Mr. Weeds. and buried forever all IN
bitterness Of the past in these words;
After an, there is nothing outside
mans family life that compares with tru
friendship, and true friend I have foun
in YOU"
This story. as l have told it, Mr.. Wee