The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-08-01
A Kentucky Anecdote.

A Kentucky Anecdote.
It was customary in former days for all the
ladies of the best families to attend the promi-
nent barbecues and this was especially the
case in the contest between Mr.. Breckenridge
and General Combs, in 1910. Out of these
affairs grew the authentic story of the incest
widow in the bluegrass region. Not far from
the Forks of Elkhorn lived the pretty little
widow Fauntleroy, and one Of her nearest
neighbors was General Peyton. The general
had looked upon the little widow very much as
he looked upon his blooded horse Powhattan-
"The finest horse, sir, in the bluegrass region"
The pretty Mrs. Fauntleroy had been wild
ow more than year; while the general, hav-
ing a great regard for etiquette, had waited
patiently for that time to elapse, in order to
declare himself. But the widow, with her wo-
mans art, kept her lover at bay, and yet kept
him in her train.
He had escorted her to this barbecue, and
when returning had expressed his satisfaction
at the prospects of General Combs, and the
success of the Whig party.
The widow took sides with the Democracy,
and offered to wager her blooded saddle-horse,
Gipsey, or anything else on her place, against
Powhattan, or anything else she might fancy
on the generals place.
to refuse the wager which he promptly accep-
ted. By this time they had reached the north
Fork of Elkhorn, and were about to ford it
bridges were not plenty in those days,) when
John Peyton, the generals only son and heir,
came up at sharp gait behind them.
The widow turned and bowed to John, and
rode on into the stream, but little behind her
companion. The east bank was very steep,
and required the horses to put forth nearly all
their strength to reach the top with their
loads
As luck would have it, good or ill, the Wild
owls girth broke when just at the commence
ment of the steep part. The lady, still seated
on her saddle, slid swiftly back into the water,
while her horse went up the bank like an ar
row.
John Peyton leaped from his horse. and in
an instant caught the floating lady and saddle,
and, before the general had recovered from his
astonishment was at the top of the bank with
his burden. The little widow was equal to the
occasion, for she begged the general 10 ride on
and stop her horse, which had now began to
understand his part in the mishap,. and was
beginning to increase his gait toward home.
The general did as he was bid, and soon re-
turned with the horse In the meantime John
Peyton had secured his own horse, and when
the general came back with the widows horse
she and John were laughing merrily over the
ridiculous accident, but what further passed
between them is only known to themselves.
John Peyton repaired the broken girth,. fas-
tened the saddle again on the horse, placed the
lady in her seat, bade her good evening, noun
ted his horse, and taking another road to Elk.
horn, rode rapidly home, leaving the general
to escort the widow.
1t is not necessary to relate how he enter
tained his fair companion with ponderous an
ecdotes of Mr.. Clay and other famous public
men; but when he reached the Fauntleroy
place, he accepted the lady's invitation to dis
mount and take tea with her.
After having changed her wet clothing, the
pretty widow entertained her guest with her
brightest smiles, and some new songs. The
general was delighted, and expressed his de-
light as Kentucky gentlemen of that day would
do. "You are the finest songstreas, madam, in
the bluegrass region"
When he bid her goodnight and shook hands
with her on the porch, the wicked little widow
gave his hand little squeeze, only little but
great ponderous frame, while she laughingly
reminded him of his wager. That night in his
dreams, the little Widow Faunteroy was re-
peated so often, and in so many bewitching
forms, that he resolved to propose to her at the
first meeting, nor did he dream that he could
be refused.
The next morning letter from his tobacco
factor called General Peyton to Louisville, and
before his return the political contest in the
Ashland district was over; and, wonderful to
relate, John G. Breckenridge, the young Dem
ocrat, was elected to Congress.
General Peyton was both astonished and In
dignant. "Mr. Clay's district, sir, the finest
Congressional district in the bluegrass region,
has disgraced itself, sir" was almost his first re-
mark to his neighbor, Colonel Beaufort:
tention of bringing Mrs. Fauntleroy to adorn
The head of his table.
"Sir, she is the finest lady in the bluegrass
region, and hope, sir, you will always respect
your future mother"
John with quiet smile, assured him that ne
was pleased with his choice. This pleased the
general highly, for he had been little afraid
John would object to step-mother younger
than himself
The next morning the general ordered Pow
haitian brought out, and led over to Mrs. Faun-
tleroys. Calling John, he requested him to
call upon Mrs. Fauntleroy.
''The Wing party has disgraced itself in MIR.
Clay's district, sir, and I am compelled to part
with the finest blooded horse i'll the State to
pay my wager with that lady, sir"
The black boy had led Powhattan 10 tnc
hitching rail in front of Mrs. Fauntleroy's
yard. And having tied him, had gone into the
quarters to tell his colored brothers and sisters
of their mistress's great good luck in having
won the famous horse, Powhattan.
When General Peyton and John arrived
they found the pretty widow. and two young
lady friends in the yard admiring Powhattan.
MADAM" said the general to Mrs. Fauntle-
row, 81 have come like a true Kentucky gen.
tenan, to pay the wager 1 have lost. Pow
haitian, madam is rightfuly yours"
"But, General, believe the wager was con-
ditional. 1t was the horse or anything else on
the place, was itnot?"
MADAM, you are correct; but cannot per-
nit you to select an inferior animal. !"
MYou have another and supcrior animal