He speculated considerably, and though he was never largely successful, yet he always managed to live well." "Were you engaged in any sort of employment ?" "Yes, at different times I was a reporter." "It is not necessary that the public should know all this," said Witherspoon.
"But we can't help it," Henry replied.

"The statement we sent out would simply serve to hone and strap public curiosity to a keen edge.
I expected something of this sort.

The only thing to do is to get through with it as soon as we can." When the interview was ended Henry went to the front door with the reporters, and at parting said to them: "I hope to see you again, gentlemen, and doubtless I shall.

I am one of you." At dinner that evening Witherspoon was in high spirits.

He joked--a recreation rare with him--and he told a story--a mental excursion of marked uncommonness.
"What, Henry, don't you drink wine at all ?" the merchant asked.
"No, sir, I stand in mortal fear of it." The vision of a drunken painter, he always fancied, hung like a fog between him and the liquor glass.
"It's well enough, my son." "None of the Craigs were drunkards," said Ellen, giggling.
"Ellen," Mrs.Witherspoon solemnly enjoined, "my mother's people shall not be made sport of.