The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-06-15
MISCELLANY.
John Randolph of Roanoke.

rYeu tnat Ile " us eatlllS one OF those lux
"ious soft crabs of that region, and that
vas the custom of the hotel, glass o.
III; had been placed near his plate. Look,
10 up from his own, he said in a thin. nj
ing voice:
hats 4 singular dish of yours, sir, very
si. lar; crabs and milk! Juba, bring me
a,v of milk, and crumblc some craI IS in
At the same hotel, he said to a waiter, in
temporary absence Of Juba, handing to
at the saline time his cup and saucer:
lake that away-change it.''
What do you want, Mr.. Randolph n
""k the waiter respectfully, "Do you want
or tca?"
that stuff is tea," said he, "givc me
>: if it is coffee, bring inc tea l want
nge."
st readers have heard, perhaps, Of his
toa awc!i Known and highly respectable
:man Of the South, who introduced
elf to him while standing and convers-
ritl some friends, with
. should be pleased to make the acouan-
:. &c so distinguished Il public servant
r II. Randolph. L am from the city Of
more-my name is Blunt!"
;lunt, ell 2" replied Mr. Randolph, 81
lid think SO, sir;" and he deigncd him
"lrthcr notice.
'4ually familiar to many, it may be, will
- .ound his reply to a gentleman who rath-
- Greed himself upon Mr.. Randolph's no.
while engaged in conversation with
RS, in hotel in Virginia.
have had the pleasure, Mr.. Randolph,
:: atty Of passing your house"
am glad Of it," said Mr.. Randolph;
ppe you will always do it sir''
one occasion, at Washington, bro
member of Congress was enighteninw
. Handol ph as to the manner OF 'sshop-
':s,'' at the capital.
The merchants" said he, shave two pri-
"S-an "asking price," and taking price"
cd to send my wife to make all the pur-
"Ses for the family, by which we made I'll
ing Of fifteen to twenty pc- cent. =
81 had rather my wife," said RandoIp!.,
riy, should make living in any othn
but one, than that!"
ing confirmed old bachelor, the re-
rcely anything more characteristic of
andolph is recorded of him in any of
graphics, than in the following Incl
.hich occurred on the morning he
" s % leave for England, on his last Yisit
mat country. The steamer is waiting to
;onvey passengers when his friend calls up
y him.
Mr.. Randolph" he says, Gin the name Of
aven, what is the matter! Do you know
It it is nearly ten o'clock, and that the
Amboat waits for nobody? Why, you
:; not even dressed"
II can't help it, sir" replied he, "Im all
confusion this morning, everything goes
'rong; even my memory has gone 3 wool
:hering. l am just writing farewell
dress to my constituents, and I've forgot
= the exact words of quotation from the
lie, which want to use, and asI quote
ectly, cannot close my letter until l find
he assage; but strange to say, Il forgot
u he chapter and verse. l never was
n fault before, sir. What shall Tdo?"
"Do you remember any part 4 the quo
ation2" asked his friend, "pcrl APPS 1 can
Issist you with the rest"
"It begins" said he, "with how have I
owed thee, oh, but for the life of me, I
ant recollect the next words. Oh, my
"ad There, do you take the Bible and
5" Jver that page while amwriting the
II ainder of my address"
My dear sir" was the reply, "you have
10 tine to do this now; let us take the let
er, Bible and all on board the steamer,
where you will have enough time to find
he passage you want, before you reach the
packet. .
After a great deal of hesitation and re-
uctance, and after much expostulation, the
proposition was agreed to.
A .ther cruel testyof the affection of his
,ervant John was tried on the occasion re-
erred to. John had in some way offended
'"aster that morning, as he was prepar-
:>a.: trunks, Mr.. Randolph said to him !:
Finish that trunk at once, John, and
'se it down to the steamboat, and on your
urn. take passage in the Philadelphia;
Mr., in Arch street, and tell
that I have sailed; then 60 to Balti-
call Oh MI. in Monument Place,
Id .4y that I shall write to him from Lon
Ion thence proceed to Washington, pack
Up the trunks at my lodgings, take them
With you to Roanoke, and report yourself
my overseer." H.
Afser pause, he added, IN q sarcastic
ne. 5gaS II.
"Bat youneed NOT obey them, unless you
'loose to do so. You can, IL you prefer it,
when you arrive in Philadelphia, cali on
:''e Manumission Society, and they will
lake you free; and I shah never look after
you. Do yon hear sir7 q e b, ~ II