New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-10

y convention. During the course OF the COLI
versation one Of the Southern men chanced
10 use the word independence Instantly
the Massachusetts, man stopped short III
! his tracks, struck an attitude win inc
! forennger Of his right hand extended dra-
matically, and gave vent TO prolonged
and sibilant Hush
How now?" demanded the NirGinian,
who had been interrupted.
your language is high treason Adams
replied.
do you think his majcsty's minister
! heard me?" laughed the delegate.
Not that" answered Adams, with mock
| seriousness. Lam not worried over such
a possibility. but there arc four gentlemen
| from Massachusetts in town who are In a
state OF great perturbation for fear the
word shall be uttered in their presence
lie then explained 10 them how he had
been warned by his colleagues to steer
clear Of the word independence.
Before the opening session OF that gem
eral Congress every delegate present had
heard the story and all knew that John
Adams had como TO Philadelphia as an
advocate OF American independence. The
news spread through the city and raised a
storm Of indignant protest from the wealthy
Quakers and royalist property holders.
| Adams was ostracised socially and avoided
11ko leper Even In the Congress the
radical Yankee lawyer met with little SYM
pathy. Washington kept silent but one OF
his Virginia colleagues, Richard Henry
Lee. predicted that all would be well; that
England would give up her foolish project
and recall her army and navy. Time proved
/ that John Adams was wiser than his fell
/ lows.
! While Adams was abroad on government
! business he saw and heard much that ap-
| pealed 10 his sense of humor. He went
/ one day by appointment TO pay an official
! visit 10 4 great French dignitary, who at
| their first meeting embraced him effusively,
| and, TO his great surprise and Infinite dis
| gust, implanted a fraternal kiss on his
cheek In letter TO his wife, written a
| few days afterward. he makes mention Of
the matter thus: Il was bussed by a
| Frenchman on last Tuesday, and since
! then have been without relish for food.
| have not yet learned whether or no the
! Frenchman is similarly affected
Thomas jefferson was one Of the famous
wits Of his generation, and his sense OF
| humor was seldom out OF working order.
| An anecdote which shows his sallantry, as
well as his disposition to extract amuse-
ment from the passing events Of life. has
| become traditional in Virginia, but until
! now has not found its way into print One
day as he was leaving his parish church
after morning service and had halted in
the churchyard TO exchange greetings With
some Of his neighbors, the sage OF Month
cello. then ex-President, was accosted by
an old lady a Scotch Presbyterian, who
vorshlpped at the Episcopal sanctuary oc-
casionally on account Of its convenience,
but always under protest
Mr.. Jefferson" she began in high
pitched and rather querulous voice, Il am
told you are a disbeliever in eternal punish.
ment."
The former President removed his shiny
beaver hat, bowed low and stood In an at
titude Of polite expectation.
do you deny it," she persisted severely.
Madam, l have made it my infexible
rule never to deny anything of which am
accused jefferson answered amiably.