Evening journal., 1914-01-27
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Samuel :. TiIden'S DiStruSt
Of Piety in Business
By Holland.

mo man with whom it has been
my privilege to have friendly asso
citation had wider acquaintance
with those who have gained success
es in the field of literature or of
journalism or in politics between
1S40 and 1880 than the late Parke
Goodwin. He was sOn-in-law OF
William Cullen Bryant, and his as
sociation with that poet. was intl-
mate. He was one of the editors OF
the original Putnam's Magazine,
George William Curtis being the 9th.
er. He was a lecturer in the day
when the lecture platform was an
American institution of wide pop.
ularity. He was an intimate friend OF
Thackeray, and IL was I'm the edito
rial office of Putnam's Magazine thai
Thackeray made himself at home
when upon his second visit 10 the
united States. Mr. Goodwin was al.
so upon pleasant terms with Charles
Dickens. and was one Of the few
whose happy fortune Il was TO be
present at the two dinners given Ia
Dickens - one upon his first visi,
20 tho United States, and the other
upon his last visit-where the Ens.
lish novelist met distinguished
comnany OF American business, lit
crary and professional man.
"To spend a forenoon with Mr.
Goodwin ia The later years of his life
he was over eighty when he died
was TO be brought almost face to
face with many Of the men and
women who had gained regulations
and some of whom had earned per.
manent fame by their literary or
professional achievements in the
first half of the past century.
recall that one day Mr. Goodwin
spoke to me Of Samuel J. Tilden, OF
whom he was a personal friend, and
for whom he had profound admira-
tion.
"rilden was misiudged by almost
every one who had only superficial
knowledge OF him or slight acuuaint
ance with him." said Mr.. Goodwin
He was very canstic man and
think a little suspicious of average
human nature. But he was capabl,
OF doing very kindly acts. even when
he was under no oblibation to dc
them
"He picked me up one afternoon
and asked me II I would ride home
with him. my own home being very
near Tilden's home, IN Gramarcy
Park New York City. After we were
in the carriage. told him o.
a very important transaction whicl
I had completed that day. Al
that remained was for the signature
10 be appended to the contract. Til
Ian u1rf t.fT I -.
what the transaction was and in re
ply ] told him that I had been auth
ori2ed to make a contract with tn
trustees of an estate which embraced
n valuable piece of property IN thl
lower part Of New York. My friends
wanted 70 lease that real estate for
long term OF years, paying groun'
rent. Upon the land they propose,
building modern business struc
ture.
"When 7 told Tilden with whom. a
representative OF that estate I hat
had dealings. ] observed that lie be
came greatly interested. He askel
me il the papers were to be signe,
next day. 7 told him that they were
"He said to me that II woulC
let him have the contract that even
ing he would look it over as an ac
of friendship and that I had bette
see him the next morning before
signing any papers. gladly let hin
have the contract. and when ] say
him the next morning he pointed GU
a clause in it by virtue of which, in
stead Of having the option of renewa
of the ground lease after twent
years. the building we were to erec
would pass Immediately into the pos
session Of. the estate.
"He showed me how to correct tn
error. and 7, of course, was YER
grateful to him. | said to Tilden a
We parted that 7 could not conceiv
that the man with whom I had ha'
dealings could have intentional
played a trick upon us. I said thi
man was a very pious man. aud fire.
quently talked religion with thos
whom he met in a business way.
"Tilden looked at me oueerly for
moment and then said, 1t has bee
my experience that you want 20 be
ware of a man who makes publ
profession of his piety when he I
engaged in a business transaction
(Copyrisht.t 1914. bv y. J. Edward,
All rights reserved)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards viii tell q
"Chrnncev Denew's Fgneriencc wit