Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-11-02
y kentucky Anecdote.

case ~ the C9ltccg UclNSSh NJ. plION0"i4''5S
aud Gen. 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 Elkborn lived the pretty little widow Faun-
leroy, and one Of her nearest neighbors was
Gen. Peyt9n. The General had looked upon
the little widow very much us he looked upon
his blooded horse Powhaiau The finest
horse in The blae- grass region"
The pretty Mrs Fauntleroy bal been a
widow more than year; while the General
having a great regard for etiquette, bad wait
ed patiently for that time to eiapsc, in order to
declare himself. But the widow with her wo-
mans art, kept Der lover at bay, and yet kept
him in her train.
He had escorted her 70 this barbecue, and
when returning had expressed his satisfaction
at the prospects of Gen. Combs, and the sue
cess of the Wing party.
The widow took sides with the Democracy,
and offered to wager her booded salje-hcrse
Gipscy, or anything else on her place, against
Powhatau, or anything else she might fancy
on the Generals place.
The Generals g4llantry would not allow him
to refuse the wager, which he promptly ac-
cepted. By this time they had reached the
north Fork of the Eifhorn, aud were about to
ford it bridges were not plenty in those days.
when John Peytou the Generals only son and
heir, came up at sharp gait behiud them.
The widow turned and bowed to John, and
rode iatJ the stream, but 4 little behind her
companion. The east bauk was very steep
and required tie horses to put forth ali their
strength to reach the top With their loads.
As luck would have il, good " Ill, tho wild
owls girth broke just at The commencement Of
the steep part. The lady, still seated on ler
saddle, slid swiftly back iuto the water, while
her horse weat up the bank Ike an arrow.
John Peyton leapelirom bis horse, and in an
instant caught theaoatins lady aud saddle, and
before the general bad recovered from bis as
constituent was at the top Of tie bank with
his burden. The liulc widow was equal to
the occasion, for she begged the General to ride
on aud stop her horse which had now begun
to tounderstlnd bis part in the nishap, and was
beginning TO increase his gait toward home
The General did as be was bid, aud soon re-
turned with the horse. Ii the meantime John
Pevton had secured his own horse, and when
tie General came back with the widows hOrse
she and John were lauehing mcrriIy over the
ridiculous accident, bur What further passed
between them is oaly known to themselves
John Peyton repaired tho broken e.rth, fast
sned tie saddle again on the horse, placed the
lady in her seat, blde her good evening,
mounted his horse, and taking another road
down the Elkhorn, rode rapidly home, leaving
the Geaeral to escort the widow home.
Its not necessary to relate how he enter
tanned his fair companion with his ponderous
anecdotes Of 8Ir. Clay and other famous public
men but when he reached tie Fauntleroy
place. he accepted the ladys invitation to dis
mouat and take tea with her.
After having changed her wet clothing, the
pretty widow entertained her guest with her
brightest smiles, aud some now songs. The
General was delighted, aud expressed bis DC
light as kentucky gentlemen Of that day
would DO. You arc the Guest sonsstress,
madam, 10 the bluegrass region"
When ie Jade her goodnight and shook
hands with her on the porch, tie wicked little
widow gave his hand little squeeze, only
little, but il thrilled Ike an electric shock
through his great, ponderous frame, while it
laushiugly reminded him Of Ais wager. That
night IN lis dreams, the little widow FauntIe-
roy was repeated SO often, and in 50 many be-
witching forms, that he resolved to Iropose to
her at their first meeting, nor did lie dream
that lie could be refused.
The next morning a letter from lis tobacco
factory, called General Peytoa to Louisville,
aud before his return the political contest in
the Ashland district was over, and, wonderful
to relate, John c Breckenridge the young
Democrat was elected to Congress.
General Peyton was both astonishei and in
d suant. Mr.. Cay's district sir, the
finest Congressional district ia the blue
grass region, has dssraced ITSELF sir" was al
most his first remark to his neighbor Col
Beaufort
To his son, John, lie communicated his IN
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
he was pleased with his choice. This pleased
the General highly, for he had been little afraid
John would object to his step-mother younger
than himself
The next msrning the General ordered Pow
hatan brought out and led over to Mrs. Fauu
tlerOys. Calling John, be requested him to
call upon Mrs FAnntieroy.
"The Wig party has disgraoed itself in
Mr.. Clay's district, sir, aud an compelled to
part with the finest blooded horse in the State
to pay wager with that lady, sir"
The black boy had led Powhatan to the ,
bitchng rail Of Mrs Fauntleroy's yard, and .
having tied him. had gone into the quarters to .
tell his colored brothers and sisters Of their .
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