Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-05-26
ANEClaTE OF WIN. c, PRESTON.

Savannah is the Southern city from WHICH
the same correspondent who sends the follow,
ing sketch has often dated, but he has never
furnished anything more graphic than this capi
tai incident in the experience of the accom-
plished Preston Those who knew that spen.
did orator and gentleman can appreciate the
scene. Our correspondent says:
"Many Of your readers remember the stately
presence, the digHifed bearing and imposing
manner of Colonel William G. Preston, o.
South Carolina. It was when all these quail
ties were in their prime and Preston represen,
ted his State in the Senate of the United States
that business or pleasure called him to tho
West, and to take passage down the Mississippi
river. In those flush times the steamers
swarmed with boosters, greenhorns and gam
blers, the latter politely designated sporting
gentlemen the tegn gambler or black leg
entailing on the speaker q pistol shot or wipe
from bowie-knife.
"The boat was on the eve of departure, ant
our Senator, standing on deck and holding
small mahogany box, was observing with great
interest and pleasure the busy scene on tht
wharf, when an individual, luxuriating in
rather ornate style of dress, approached him
and in subdued tones demanded
~ say, old Teller, when are you agcins te
commence 2"
"Commence what, sir 2" asked the astonishet
Senator.
"Pshaw, none Of that CANNON with Inc. Tht
fact is, few of us boys OH board want little
fun, and We won't pile it on too strong for you
so come and open at once"
"Really, si.;," replied Preston, I" am totally
at loss to guess your meaning. Open what I!
"Open what? Why, the bank of course
Maybe you think our pile isn't large enough
to make it an object. But we're not SO pool
as all that, anyhow J"
The Senator meditatcd gloomily, but all was
dark to him he was plunged in sea OF doubt
and he had never met any problem, not even
political one, so hard to solve.
"Perhaps," broke in his pertinacious FRIEND
again. after considerable pause, "perhaps yo'
wills say directly that you're not a sporting
man."
81 certainly am nothing of the kind, sir, !
rejoined Preston, rather angrily; .sand CAM
imagine what put such an idea into. your head"
"Not sporting man? Whew-w! l never
heard of such piece Of inpudence! Well, i
you're not sporting man, will you please tel
Inc why you carry the tools about with you e
and he pointed to the mahogany box which the
Colonel still carried.
A light broke on Prcston's mind The ma
hogany boxw he cried. "Ah, yes! ha, ha
Very natural mistake, indeed, my good sir
very natural, indeed! Well, | will show you
the contents of the box" And, laughing hear
tily, he opened the box in question, which wa:
in fact his drcssing-case, and displayed the nsna
parade of brushes, combs. razors, soap, etc.
which usually fill that article of travelling com,
fort. ., s--.att - = =, ~:
Our friend looked at the case; tIen at Pres
ton; then at the case, anu then at Preston
again. Then he hcaved long sigh, and then
he pondered.
"Well," he broke out at length, "I dill take
you for a sporting gentleman did; but now
see you are nothing but barber, and il I'D
known it, hang me if I'd spoke to you!" and
so saying he yamosed."
Fancy the feelings of our honorable Senator
us he assumed these various characters in tht
eyes of an anxious stranger.-llarper's Maga'
zinc.