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he fought against his audiences, and strove to bring them round to his own opinion.
He was as single-minded as Emerson or Lincoln.
In November, 1862, Emerson said to me: “I came from Springfield the other day in the train with your father's friend, Frank Bird, and I like him very much.
I often see his name signed to newspaper letters, and in future I shall always read them.”
Strangely enough, a few days later I was dining with Mr. Bird and he referred to the same incident.
When I informed him that Emerson had also spoken of it he seemed very much pleased.
If any one paid him a compliment or expressed gratitude for some act of kindness, he would hesitate and become silent for a moment, as if he were reflecting whether he deserved it or not; and then would go on to some other subject.
His acts of kindness were almost numberless.
He assisted those whom others would not assist; and if he suspected that a small officeholder was being tyrannized over, he would take no rest until he had satisfied himself of the truth of the case.
In February, 1870, he learned that a high official in the Boston Post-office, who was supported in his position by the Governor of the State, was taking advantage of this to levy a blackmail on his subordinates, compelling them to pay him a commission in order to retain
1905. E. P. DUtton and Co. Boston,.
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