Before many weeks Edward could "stenograph" fairly well, and as the
typewriter had not then come into its own, he was ready to put his
knowledge to practical use.
An opportunity offered itself when the city editor of the _Brooklyn
Eagle_ asked him to report two speeches at a New England Society
dinner. The speakers were to be President Hayes, General Grant,
General Sherman, Mr. Evarts, and General Sheridan. Edward was to
report what General Grant and the President said, and was instructed to
give the President's speech verbatim.
At the close of the dinner, the reporters came in and Edward was seated
directly in front of the President. In those days when a public dinner
included several kinds of wine, it was the custom to serve the
reporters with wine, and as the glasses were placed before Edward's
plate he realized that he had to make a decision then and there. He
had, of course, constantly seen wine on his father's table, as is the
European custom, but the boy had never tasted it. He decided he would
not begin then, when he needed a clear head.
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