Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-04-11
Interesting RecOllectiOns of
George Peabody.
Correspondence of the Staunton vindicator ]

lSOlIcopOuUcuC0 VI tuH OtduQIOQ fl0QlCdlOf. |
WAYNEsBoRo' April 10, 1873.
The tw) occasions on which it was nv
privilege to see the world removed Philan.
,hropiss George Peabody, are in striking
contrast The first was when was youth,
in the year 1926 nearly hall century ago
1t was in the village of Brownsburg, Rock.
bridge county, one warm summers day, |
remember it as if it had been yesterday, an
elegant looking gentleman, riding a well
built bay. Northern trofter. Ohe horse struck
ms as belonging to Northern Latitude from
his nick bob tally the rider alighted at my
place of business, and securing his horse a.
the rack, accosted me with smile, and in.
CURED if the proprietor was In. led him
into the store. and signs of recognition and
cordial greeting made it very evident that
the stranger had met with an old friend.
Being ouly spectator Of the interview,
had fave rable opportunity of scrutinizing
the physique of the new arrived, as he ad
dressed himself to the pu' pose of his visit.
Soliciting trade for the enterprising firm of
Peabody, Riggs & Co., of 3 ltimore, OF
which be was mem5r. His height was
uear six feet, and very erect. in person
somewhat tund, without being considered
corpuleut OF elegant proportion, his COUNT
nance besming with animation and beuevo-
lsnce, his motives apd utteraDce combined
to impress me with the idea that business
geniality. had SO blended in the person
of George Peabody, as to win the confidence
of the most ascetic stranger His stay Vas
brief, his mission ended, hearty shake OF
the hand-l followed him to his horse, he
mounted and with graceful bow and wave
OF the whip, WIS on his way to Lexington.
The years hurried on, railroads supplaned
Northcra troters. old age succeeded youth
the rosy cheek of early manhood furrowed
DER em5lems of decay. and the bright spark.
ling eye now dim, the dark CLASSY hair sill.
vered DER by cares and disease reclinins
in an attitude denoting much feableness and
manifest suH' rlng--a venerable form is
winding his way to the Virginia watering
places, in a Car on the Central R lroad hr
only hope is temporary alienation of hope
less malady His mighty work of lite i
eaded. nothing Incomplete, he he's only t.
die. Reader t lis is the second scene, VII ich
contrasts so forcibly with the first drawn
picture-Geo Peabody. in the flush OF man
hood, just ntering upon career of success.
and usefulness, which expanded into pro
portions of ma Ditude that both hemisr heres
We'd with each other in rendering him hom
age. George Peabody, in the scar and vel
low leaf, bendipg over the opening grav'
with nothing OF earth to hope for. CONSCIOUS
of having done his duty-he awaits the COM
mendation Of the Master Good and faith.
full servant thou hast been faithful over a
few things. | will make thee ruler over
many" Thus have | seen this princely
almoner, like the rising and setting sun
scarcely determining which most to admire.
his going forth, in dazzling brightness. or
the mellowing rays as in brilliant radiatiny
hues they sink beneath the western horizon
Thus this child Of fortune and euviabl
fame, stands photographed on my memory
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