The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-09-29
10 the better. Mr.. Threepercent could buy him
out tomorrow; but noble nonor ana
kind great nature belongs 10 the one, and

IA thu ssttsr. Mr., Threepercsat could buy him
ont tomorrow. but noole honor ana
kind great nature belongs 10 the one, ana
nor 10 the other. You see, old Tom would
march into the cannou's mouth, and cheer
fully be blown into a thousand pieces for the
soil we live on. He would risk his lite 10
shield woman or child from suffering, and
give the cup of water he was ing for TO
won nded comrade. Does he get that from his
ancestors ] know not-but know ne
gentleman in his shabby coat, on ms sorTy
nag-a better gentleman, 1 think, than hI
Threepercent, in his span new hrosdcloth, anu
his shining carriage. Bat still, my son, don't
talk too much or think toe mneh vi auSs''
I'll. the honest, truthful, kindly, hooie nea,
that makes the gentieman-aha IL una ne".s
heats under homespun, ana It's owner uIiNes
tho piaue or digs ditch. II Is ali the same
The x,ni,i hoan,as is there-he can't De mean or
b,se Nobhsw o5Hge, whether cased IN SILK
and velvet, with noble oraeI on ,ne bosom,
or IN fustiau, with the sweat OF toll upon the
t,rebead /" SO does the worthy ColoEel dis
cours. about classes; hut l suspect his great
d,slias of Mr.. rhreepercenL the wealthy
money-tender, urges him 10 all this high
philosophy" That gentleman, l am bound to
declare, he does not like. He scowls when
passing by the lands once old Tom Lackland's,
now Mr.. Threepercents, and l lear, at such
moments, is terrible aristocrat. Are not all
of us
AT Christmas, the Colonel will have great
party at the hall. The whole clan from far
and near assemble, and the venerable mansion
blooms like flower bed with brilliant dresses
aud IS filled with laughter. Dances, sleigh
rides. great dinners, and endless games are the
order OF the day and night. The Colonel sun
hangs up his stocking, and acts the part OF the
good ST. Nicholas toward those of the chill
uren who adore him. AT the Christmas dim
ner, carving the great turkey, and beaming on
The host OF faces stretching right and left be-
tore HIM, he is tha picture of venerable pa.
triarch at the head of his tribe, or IA Highland
cnleitain with his clan around him. Smiles
bin ,nrAS md N
Madeira ("honest old wines, sir" says the
Coionel) are the order of the time, and the
very sleek faced Africans, who come and go
with endless plates ana not dIShes, grin IN
honor OF the occasion.
Thus surrounded by his children, and his
chiidren's children, in the good Old Virginia
homes lead, lives this worthy type OF worthy
aud honest race. He has his foioles, his eccen-
tricities, and his Whlm- " hams, but they are
all amiable. The "place and time" are suit
ed to his character. He and the old hall are
lingering specimens OF generation, ana
mode OF life which is passing away. w NAT
would the Colonel do in the streets OF a city I
The spruce young bean, in his "shining raj
ment," with his yellow cane and dainty klds
would jostle him contemptuously,a and wonder
what me old countrymau, with his long grey
hair and simple smile, Is thinking OF NOT 10
make way for his betters. My young gay
friend let me say, without intending TO oHehd
you, that this plain old man is At least your
equal. Your equal in social origin, LOT MS
dbC-slOTs lOu1ut Ut hkAHSOuits
and Marstor Moor-at Monmouth, Trenton
and Yorktown-your equal in social standing,
for this simple rustic is the ruler OF Il great
domain The head of powerful clan, VINO
look up TO him rs the Macgregors or the Ma
piers looked to their chiettaih He is not
master of billiards, but possessed OF nooie
culture: and if he dresses plainly, it is only
that he thinks the heart beneath the coat OF
more importance than the coat Itself. IL You
come 10 Coversy Hall, you will find such
welcome that in future you Will take your
hat off with affection and respect, as the sInil-
ing old countryman approaches yon.
Such is Colonel Coverley. L have caught on
the point of an idle pen. some traits which are
worthy of record. Alas the old generation
fades away Soon thu race will be extinct,
and the noble figures will live only in memory
or tradition. The strong hands which shaped
The kepu bile have long crumbled-the sons OF
those sires are also passing. As the simple,
lofty forms defile before us to their graves, let
US salute them. We may snatch from the
whirl and bus lie of the moment, time enough
at least 10 take of Our hats and greet the men
of Old with Hail and Farewel!''