Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-09-20
A Good TuIker.


ing eight lines ffty cents.
Good Talker.
The "Monthly Gossip" in the October num-
Der Of Lippincott's Magazine, contains this
capital story:
Perhaps the most brilliant conversationast
that Virginia or the United States ever produ
ccd was the late Littleton Waller Tazewe
Unfortunately for his reputation as to consis-
tency and hrmuess Of opiuion, his mind was so
capacious and we'll stored that it was impossi-
ble for him not to see all sides of any subject
on which he convcrSed. and hence it was not
always eaSy-udced, it was often extremely
dificult-tor his hearers TO ascertain what his
zeal opinion was. 10 illustration of this pecu-
liarity OF Governor Tazewell, the following anec
dote is told:
When the notification trouble was at its
height Mr. Calhoun sent William G. Preston
to Richmond to sound the first Governor
Floyd, father Of j Ohm B. Floyd, Secretary of
War under Buchanan, as to what might be ex-
peced of Virginia in case South Carolina be-
came involved in conflict with the Federal
Government. The question being one of great
utmost confidence in Governor Tazewell' judg-
ment, the latter was summoned to the State
Capital and the conference took place in the
Executive Mansion at night soon after supper.
Mr. Tazcwell, being called upon for his opin-
ion, began A stream of brilliant and torclble
words poured from his fluent lips enchain-
ing and delighting his two auditors. At the
expiration of an hour Governor Floyd ventured
to interrupt: Your opinion, then is
wait moment, said Tazewell. Diverg-
ing from the line of his previous remarks, he
corruscated for another hour as forclbly as be-
fore
1t was then Preston 3 turn to utcrcept-and
if possible arrest-the flow Of talk:
I'VE may conclude, then, Mr. Tazewe that
you hold
mo, not at all. You quite misapprehend
me" Taking another point of departure, he
went on from hour to hour, zigzagging and
worm. fencing at each interruption, until at last
broad daylight flooded the room.
BLESS my soul said he, looking up sur
prised, it is morning Floyd, if you will give
me bowl Of water to wash my face, and
inlep, will lie down for an hour or two to rest
resume our conversation. | am afraid | have
not made myself quite clear to either OF you
gentlemen
The water and the julep were duly brought,
and the fluent talker went up to his chamber.
Floyd and Preston remained staring at each
other for long time in profound silence. At
length Mr. Preston said Have you any idea
what Mr.. Tazewelrs real opinion is?
''None whatever Have you?
Not the remotest conception. Do you think
he has any opinion !"
''iIost certainly. He has every opinion that
any man ever had or could have on this sub
ject, and great many more besides. But
what his final opinion will be, no living man,
not even Tazewell himself, will ever discern. -
The conversation" as Mr. Tazewell was
nleaSed TO call 1t, was never resumed
A BATTLE OF THE ANTs-I anna pedagogue
in the rural districts of Newton county, Mis-.
souri,, and my school-house had been infested
for several months by species of large black
ants, much to the annoyance OF the little bare
footed scholars, and there appeared no way OF
getting rid of the pests. But what was my as
tonshment few mornings SINCE on coming
into my school-house, to find the floor literally
strewn with dead and dying ants, and upon
closer examination to find a battle was then
raging among them, more sanguinary and fatal
than any | ever witnessed land | saw many
hard fought battle during the late unpleasant
ness, or read in the annals of history.
A much larger number we're lying dead than
were left engaged and | thereby concluded
that the battle had ragged all night. Most OF
the combatants engaged were grappled in
deadly embrace. while others, but recently
commenced, were standing erect on their hind
legs, and soaring for the advantage with all the
science of the most experienced swordsmen or
pugilists The most fatal point Of attack, and
the one for which it seemed all contended, was
the ligament which joined the main body with
the head. This vital member once seized by
the powerful nppers, death succeeded without
struggle, and the victor was ready and eager
for another engagement. ;,
No undue advantage was taken by either
nartv, and no two would endeavor to over
power a single one nor was there any finch
Ing or wavering iu single instance tor when
ever the two beligerents met 1T was certain
death to one or both parties. Never, perhaps,
were two armies more equally matched lnnum'
brrs, strength and valor, and consequently, at
the close of the battle, which lasted two nights
and day, as new recruits continued to arrive
at every moment, there were but few lett, and
probably none of the vanquished army, thus
riyalipg the valor of the heroes OF the Alamo
and the Spartan band of Leonidas Observing
closely, [ could see slight difference ln the
appearance of the contestants. one set being
nertectly black, with large head, while the
other was nearer brown, with smaller head,
though both about equally matched IN size
and strength. Dismembered legs ware numer-
ous. and many an unfortunate, though valiant
hero being entirely deprived OF his supporters
was thus left, bors du combat, to die on the
field The next morning | swept up the dead
and diving of both armies (for | would not DIS
turb them while engaged amounting TO thous
ands.-C Cor st. Louis RepuOltcan
- A. o,;1, ;e tho