The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-19
H. CAROLINA 1,
Anecdote of VIM. @. Preston.


Savannah is the southern city from which
the same correspondent who send, the fol-
lowing sketch has often dated, but he has
never furnished anything more graphic than
this capital incident in the experience of
the accomplished Preston. Those that
knew that splendid orator and gentleman
can appro late the scene. Our corre<pon-
,lrrt says:
"Many of your readers remember the
stately presence, The dignifed bearing and
imposing manner of Col. VIM. G. Preston,
Of South ,Caroliua. It was then all these
qualities were in their prime, aud Preston
represented his State IN the Senate of the
United tates, that business or pleasure
called him to the Vest, and TO take pas
sage down the Mi sissippi river. In those
"tlusll times" the steamers swarmed with
hoosiers, grcen-horns and gamblers, the
latter politely designated sporting gentle
men, tn term gambler" or "blacklcg"
cntaing on the speaker pistol shot or a
wipe from n bowic.knife.
"rhe boat was on the eve Of departure,
and our Senator, standing on deck holding
small mahogany box, was observing with
great interest and pleasure the busy scene
on the wharf, when an individual, luxuriating
in a rather ornate style of dress, approach
ed him, and in subdued tones demanded ::
81 say old frllcr, when are You agoinc to
commence 2"
"Commcnce what, sir 2" asked The aston
i>lcd Senator.
"P<haw, none Of that garnm on with me.
The fact is, a few Of us boys on board want
a little fun, and we wont pile i. on too
strong for you so come and open at oncc.''
"lscally, Sir" replied Preston, 81 am to.
tally at a. loss TO guess your meaning. Open
what 2"
"Open what 2" Why the. bank of
course d! Maybe you think our pile isn't
large enough to make it ali object. But
we're not so poor as all that. ANYHOW -
The Senator meditalcd gloomily, but all
was dark to linn he was plunged in sea
of doubt and he had never met any pro-
blem, not even a political one, so hard to
solve.
'Perhaps," broke in his rertinaco 10 us
friend again, after considerable pause,
"pefl'aps YOU will say directly that YOU re
not a sporting man."
81 cert ainly am nothing of,he kind, Sir" re-
joined Preston, rather angrily; and can't
imagin what put such an idea into your
head"
Not sporting man? Whew-w I
never heard Of such n piece of impru,!cnce.
Well, you're not sporting man, will
yo" please tell me why you carry the tools
about with you 2" and he pointed to the ina
hogany box which the Colonel still carried.
A Night broke on Preston's mind. The
mahogany box J" he cried. "Ah, yes! ha,
ha! Very natural mistake, indeed, my
good Sir very natural, indeed! Well, I
will show you the contents of the box"
And, laughing heartily, he opened the box
in question, Which was in fact his dressing
case, and displayed the usual parade of
brushes, combs, s,razors, soap etc, which us
"a'y fill that article of travelling comfort.
Our friend looked at the case then at
Preston; then at the case, aud then at
Preston again. Then lie hcaved long
sigh. and then he pondered.
"Well,"'hc broke ont at length, "I did
take you for sporting gentleman-I did;
but now i see you are nothing but a bar
Der, and ifld known it, hang me if I'd
spoke toyou ~ and s6'saying, he "vamosed."
Fancy the feelings Of our honorable SEN
ator as he assumed these various charac-.
tiers in the eyes Of an anxious stranger.
"a. Xarpers Weekly.
.