The Empire County argus., 1855-07-07

JOHN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE. Sitting one day
opposite gentleman at hotel dinner table in Rich
mond, he observed that he was eating one of the
luxurious soft crabs of that region and that was
the custom of the hotel, a glass of milk had been
placed near his plate, looking up from his own, he
said. in thin, piping voice: 7.N
That's singular dish of yours, sir, very sugu..
milk and crumble some crabs in it,"
At the same hotel he said to q waiter, in the
temporary absence of Juba, handing to him at the
same time his cup and saucer:
"Iake that away-change it."
What do you want, Mr.. Randolph 7" asked the
waiter respectfully. "Do you want coffee or tea 2"
IF that stuff is tea" said he, "give me coffee il
it is coffee, bring me tea | want q change"
Most readers have heard, perhaps, of his reply
to well known and highly respectable gentleman
of the South. who introduced himself to him whl
standing and conversing with some friends, with
| 81 should be pleased to make the acquaintance
| OF SO distinguished public servant as Mr.. RAN
doph. am from the city of Baltimore my nau,s
is Blunt"
Blunt, ELI :" replied Mr. Randolph, Il should
think so, sir J" and he degned him no further no.
tice
Equally familiar to many, it may be, will be found
his reply to gentleman who rather forced himself
upon Mr.. Randolph's notice. while engaged in con.
versation with others, in hotel in Virginia
Il had the pleasure Mr. Randolph recently Of
passing your house."
Il am glad ofit;" said Mr.. Randolph hope
you will always do it sir"
On one occasion, at Washington, brother men,
Der of Congress was enlightenng Mr.. Randolph a.
to the manner of shopping" at the capital.
"Ihe merchants" said he, ''have two prces-an
asking price, and taking price, used to send
my wife to make all the purchases for the family,
by which we made saving of fifteen to twenty per
cent"
81 had rather my wife," said .Randolph, bitterly,
SHOULD make living in any other way but one,
than that"
Being confirmed old bachelor, the remark was
no less comical than severe
Scarcely anything more characteristic of Mr..
Randolphis is recorded of him in any of his biogra-
phles, than in the following incident which occur
red on the morning he was to leave for England,
on his last visit to that country. The steamer is
waiting to convey passengers when his friend cals
upon him.
"Mr Randolph" he says, sin the name of Hea.
ven what is the matter! Do you know that it s
for nobydy? Why you not even dressed".
II can't help it sir" replied he SIN all confu-
sion this morning everything goes wrong even
my memory has gone oogathering. l am just
writing farewell address to my constituents and
I've forgotten the exact words of quotation from
the Bible, which [ want to use, and as quote cor.
rectly, cannot close my letter until find the pas
sage, but strange to say, have forgot both the
chapter and the verse, 1 never in fault before,
sir What shall I do 2"
''Do you remember any part of the quotation :"
asked his friend, perhaps can assist you with tho
rest"
at begins" said he, with how have I loved
thee OH but for the life of me- can't recollect the
next words. Oh, my head There you take tho
Bible and run over that page while / am writing
the remainder of my address,
"My dear sir" was the reply, 'you have no time
to do this now let take the letter Bible and all
on board the steamer, where you will have enough
time to find the passage you want, before we reach
the packet"
After great deal of hesitation and reluctance,
and after much expostulation, the proposition waa
agreed to.
rather cruel test of the affection of his servant
John was tried on the occasion referred to. John
had in some way offended his master that morning,
and as he was preparing the trunks, Mr.. Randolph
said to him:
"Finish that trunk at once, John, and take ii
down to the steamboat, and on your return, take
passage in the Philadelphia; call on MIR. -, in
Arch street, and tell him that have sailed then
go to Baltimore, call on Mr. -, in Monument
Place. and say that shall write to him from Lon
don thence proceed to Washington, pack up the
trunks at my lodging, take them with you to Roa-
noke, and report yourself to my overseer."
After pause. he added, in sarcastic tone
''But you need not obey them, unless you choose
10 DO so. Y 0u can; II you prefer IT, When you ar
rive in Philadelphia, call on the Manumission So
ciety, and they will make you free; and shall
never look after you Do you hear, sir"
The unjust asperson of Johns love was too much
for the faithful fellow his cheek swelled his lips
quivered, his eyes filed and he replied in great
agitation: .r.
'Massa John, this is too hard don't deserve it.
you know love you better than anybody else, and
you know you will find me at Roanoke when you
come back" ....
felt my blood rising, said Mr. Randolphs friend,
and could not avoid saying
"Well, Mr. Randolph, | could not have believed
this if had not seen it. thought you had more
compassion for your slaves. Surely you are I'M
just in this case; you have punished him severely
enough by leaving him behind you, without hurt
ing his feelings. You hare made the poor fellow
cry, Mr.. Randolph"
i'What :" said he with true emotion, "does he
shed tears !" ....t
"Hc does" replied, "and you see them your
self"
'Then,n said Mr. Randolph che shall 20 with
me- John take down your baggage, and let US for
get what is passed"
81 was rritated, SIR" he added turning to me,
s'and thank you for the rebuke"
Thus ended the singular scene between Randolph
and his servant. John instantly brightend up,
soon forgot his masters anger, and in very few
moments, was on his way to the boat, perfectly
happy.