The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-02-24
Anecdote Of VIM. c. Pres ton.

Savannah Is the Southern city from
! which the same correspondent who sends
the following sketch has often dated but
he tas never furnished anything more
graphic than this capital incident in the
experience of the accomplished Preston.
Hose who knew that splendid orator and
gentleman, can appreciate the scene.-
Our correspondent says:
Many OF your readers remember the
stately presence, the digniti.d hearing
and imposing manner OF Colonel William
g. Preston Of South Carolina. 1t was
when all these qualities were in their
PRIME, and Preston represented his State
IN the Senate Of the United states, that
business or pleasure called him to the
West, and to take passage down the Mis-
siss'ppi river. In those flush times the
| steamers swarmed with hoosiers, green
horns and gamblers, the latter politely
designated sporting gentlemen the term
gambler or 'blackleg' entaiing on the
speaker pistol shot or wipe from
bOwie-knfe.
The boat was on the eve of departure,
and our Senator, standing Oh deck and
holding small mahogany box, WAS ob
serving with great interest aud pleasure,
! the busy scene on the wharf, when an
! individual, IuSurial,ng in n rather ornate
, style Of dress, approached him, and in
subdued torres demanded
4 say old feller, when are you going
TO commence I
Commence w'at, sir = asked the as
tonished Senator.
Ishaw, none OF that CANNON with
me. The fact is, few Of us boys on
board want n little fun, and we won't
pile 1t on too strong for you, so come aud
open at once
Really, Sir" replied Preston, Il am
totally at loss to guess your meaning
Open What ?
Open what! Why, the bank Of
course Maybe you ihink our pile isn't
large enough to make i, an object. But
we're not so poor as all that, ANYHOW !
The Senator meditated gIcomly, but
all was dark TO him ; he was plunged in
"A sea Of doubt, and he had never met
any problem, not even a political one, so
hard 20 solve.
Perhaps broke in hi, per,inacious
friend again, after a considerable pause,
perhaps you will say directly that you're
not sporting man
i certainly am nothing Of the kind,
Sir, rrjoi"ed Preston, rather angrily -
'and | cant imagine what pu, such an
idea into your head
Not sporting mani Whcw-w |
never heard Of such piece Of impudencr.
Well, II you're not a sporting man, " i'll
you please tell me why you carry the
tools about with you I anI he pointed
to the mahogony box which the Coloae |
still carried.
a Eght broke on pre>tou's mind. The
mahos"ny box ! he cried. 'Ah. yes -
ha, La Very natural mistake, indeed,
my good Sir; very natur,l indeed Well,
! will show you the contents Of the box
Aud, laughing heartily, he opened the
box in question, witch WAS in fact his
dressing case, and displayed the usual pa
rade Of brushes, combs, raz"rs, soap, etc,
which usually fill that article of travelling
comfort.
Our friend looked at the case then
at Preston ; then at the case, and then
at Preston again. Then he heaved q
long sigh, and then he pondered.
WeII,' he broke out at length, y did
take yon for sporting gentIeman-I
did; but now ] see YOU are nothing bu,
a barber, and if III known it, hang me,
! It I'd spoke to you! and SO saying, he
| 'vamosed.'