DEFEATED IN POLITNESS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3671, 20 April 1883, Page 4

DEFEATED IN POLITNESS.

Years ago, travellers going to Canadc by the way of Lake Champlain used to seek the steamboat which Captain Sherman commanded. The captain was famous for the neatness of his boat and the discipline of its crew, and for his own politeness. ]Ec was the only man whom Horace Greely acknowledged to be his superior in polite behaviour. One. morning, after breakfasting, Mr Greeley, who was in capital humor, turning to :i friond, asked : "Do you kno\v r tlwit I claim to be the most polite man in the country "r" The friend, well aware that the celebrated editor when irritated was neither gentle in manner nor courteous in speech, replied that he was not aware that that the graces of politeness were prominent among his many excellent traits. " But I assure you," answered Greeley, with a smile that overspread his baby face— someone said he had a philosopher's head with the face of a baby—"that I have never been beaten iv politeness but once in my life." Then lie told the story of his defeat. Before the days of railroads, lie left Utica, one morning, in a stage coach. His only fellow passenger was a gentleman of prepossessing appearance, with whom he fell into conversation. After a while the stranger drew a cigar case from his pocket, and offered its contents to Mr Greeley for him to take from it a cigar. ]le declined the offer, and the conversation was resumed. Presently the gentleman, taking - a cigar from the case, put it into his mouth, and returned the case to his pocket. While they were talking, he abruptly but courteously remarked to Mr Greeley : " I hope, sir, you have no objection to a cigar':" "None in the world " answered Greeley, when it is not lighted." " Oh," replied the gentleman, "I had not the remotest thought of lighting it." "Then and there," said Mr Greeley, laughing, " was the only time 1 ever was beaten in politeness. I afterwards ascertained that my victor was the famous Captain Sherman, of Lake Champlaiit."