Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-06-23
John Randolph of Roanoke.

Sitting ore day opposite gentleman at hote
dinner-table in Richmond, he observed that he wa
eating of those luxurious soft crabs of that re
gion, and that, as the custom of the hotel,
glass OF milk had been placed near his plate; look
ing up from his own be said in thin piping voice
= That's singular dish of yours, Sir, very singu
lar; crabs and milk Juba, bring me bowl o
milk, and crumhle some crabs in TT
At the same hotel be said to waiter in the
temporary absence Of Juba, handing to him at the
same time his cup and saucer:
Take that away-change it."
"What do you want Mr.. Randolph ?" asked the
waiter respectfully do you want coffee or tea y
If that stuff is tea said he, ''give me coffee
If 1t Is coffee, bring me tea; | want change"
| Most readers have heard, perhaps, of his reply
to well known and highly respectable gentleman
OF the South, who introduced himself to him while
standing and conversng with some friends, with
81 should be pleased to make the acquaintance
of so distinguished public servant as Mr.. Ran
dolph. am from the city of Baltimore-my name
is Blunt"
Blunt eh 2" replied Mr.. Randolph, 81 should
think so, Sir and he deigned him no further
notice.
Equally familiar to many, itmay be- will be found
his reply to gentleman who rather forced himself
upon Mr.. RandoIph's notice, while engaged in con-
versation with others in hotel in Virginia
II have had the pleasure, Mr.. Randolph, re-
| Gently of passing your house."
g am glad of it," said Mr. Randolph; g / hope
you will always do it, SIR
On one OCCASION at Washington, brother men,
Der OF Congress was enlightening Mr. Randolph as
to the manner of shopping" at the capital 1.-The
merchants" said he, "have two prces-an ask
ing 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"
II had rather my wife, said Randolph, bitterly
" should make living in any other way but one
than that'
Being a confirmed old bachelor, the remark was
no less comical than severe.
Scarcely anything more characteristic of Mr.
Randolph is recorded of him in any of his biogra-
phies, 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 calls
upon him.
Mr.. Randolph he says, sin the name of
Heaven, what is the matter Do you know that it
Is nearly ten O'Clock, and the steamboat waits for
nobody? Why, You are not even dressed
Can't help it, Sir" replied he, "Tm all con-
fusion this morning, everything goes wrong; even
my memory has gone wool gathering. | am just
writing farewell address to my constituents and
I've forgotten the exact words Of a quotation from
the Bible, which | want to use. and as quote cor
recty, cannot close my letter until l find the pas
sage; but, strange to say, forget both the chapter
and the verse. | never was in fault before, Sir.
What shall do 2"
:" Do you remember any part of the quotation 2"
asked his friend; perhaps l can assist you with
the rest"
at begins" said he, "with how have loved
thee, oh =, but for the fife of me, can't recollect
the next words Oh, my head. There, do you
take the Bible and run over that page while l am
writing the remainder of my address"
my dear Sir, was the reply, you have no
time to do this now; let us 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 was
agreed to-