The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-12-24
New News
Of Yesterday
IN interruption Which Was Of Service,
To- Ihurfow Weed.
lBN j.. j. EDW ARDS

10 1nurfoW WeV1t.
tBy r. j. EDWAKDS.h
II the first week in November OF
leoi TOOK charge OF the custom
mouse business necessary 10 he done
peiore r steamship Arego could
leave the port Of New YORK" said
hoHlas l. james TO ma at 4 tim.
"Hen ne Was calling 10 mind some
~ ms esfiy experiences as an officer
II me New York custom house.
1 had just come ashore from the
steamer and had DELAYED my de-
paTture from the boa long enough 10
nave a brief chat with Gen. Winfield
scott and Thurlow Weed. botn of
Nhoin We're passengers for Europe
upon the Arego. General Scott was
going in the hope that an ocean trip
Would De OF benefit 10 his health
Ihurlow Weed was going a. special
representative Of President Lincoln to
Great Britain and France. He, with
Blshop Charles =. McIlvaine. 81 Ghio.
and Archbishop John Hughes. of New
YORK, vas appointed by President
Lincoln on q special embassy author
lzed 10 develop secret negotiations in
Great Britain and in France and to do
other confidential business.
Just as | stepped upon the pier I
was met by a mar Of small physical
stature. very graceful IN his move
ments, faultleSsly dressed. who ap-
parently was laboring under great ex-
cltement. He asked me if | We're tho
custom house officer of the pier. When
| told him hat / was he urged me
TO take him ABOARD the steaner and
to introduce him to ThurloW WeeC.
He said that he had a Very important
message TO give t. Mr.. Weed.
| Was persuaded by the mans ap-
parent sincerity and oarnestness and
returned TO the steamship With him.
| told him 70 wait III the main saloon
" \ l. / CyNn1-a ~ -
Mr.. Weed still engaged in animated
conversation with General Scott.
From what | heard | inferred that
the great general was detailing 10 Mr..
Weed the plan of the military cam
paign which he thought would he
effective in bringing the civil War
speedily to an end.
MIR. Weed was somewhat impa-
tient when [ told him that a strange
wanted to see him.. He was, in fact.
not a little irritated, and he asked
me to say to the stranger that he Wa
very busy and could not spare a
moment.
Il Went back to the VIII
introduced himself t me as MIR. Lou
bat. He old me that 1t might he {
matter Of vital Importance to Mr.
Weed TO receive the message. SO
went back and gently advised Mr.
Weed to see the man for a minute.
VII. v NNt
was rather frigid in his demeanor to-
ward the stranger. He looked at hin
closely. as though trying to fathnrr
the man purpose III seeking an in
terview.
The stranger simply said. MI
Weed, | have beer instructed to han
you this envelope. 1t contains nothing
but a name n address in Paris. Blu
| am instructed TO say TO o that il
you are in serious embarrassment If
Paris. especially because Of any DIFF
ticulty about meeting the Emper1,
Napoleon or his representatives. yol
are to go to the address which yO,
will find inside the envelope. There
you will ask for the man whose name
is given. can assure you that i
you do that YOU viii be relieved O.
enib2 rrasSmcnt.
In q very frigid and formal man
ner Mr.. Weed received the envelope
put it into his pocket, gave q re.
luctant hand 10 the stranger and her
left him.
Il walked along the pier with Mr.
IIOubat after the steamer sailed. II.
said to me that he did not take any
offense at Mr.. Weed GOODNESS o
manner since the interview was en-
tirely unceremOnious and very uncon
yentional-
But said he, when / meet Mr.
Weed upon his return, / feel confiden'
that he Will express friendship and +;
sense of great Obligation
Some months after that. when Mr.
Weed returned from Europe, ] Tc
minded him Of the incident on tn,
steamer and asked him If anythin:
ever came OF it
He replied: Yes. The messag'