Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-10-04

A writer in tie New Orleans Herall
says that after the return of the late MIR.
James NJ. Mason, from Europe, lie heard
him relate the following:
While on a visit to the house Of
gentleman, in England, Mr.. Mason was
seated in comfortable arm chair in the
library reading, when his host entered
and told him that Admiral --, II.
n, had called TO pay his respects,
'.should he bring him ini" "Certainly,
certainly, certainly, most happy tomeet
any of her Majestys officers" In lit
tie time he returned with the distin-
guished visitor, who looked as if he had
stepped from the canvass, so marvellous
" did he resemble in look and manner,
bearing and dress the portraits of the
old naval heroes who, in the first quar-
ter of this century,did so much 10 cover
England with glory,and make her truly
the "Mistress of the Seas
After an introduction and few de-
sultory remarks about the weather
(Which is preliminary TO all CONVERSE
tons among the well-bred wherever the
English is the language spoken,) the
Admiral said 'Nlr. Mason, my main
purpose-after paying my respects, OF
course-in calling 10 see you, was to
inquire the fate of gentleman OF your
name, aud from your State, who render
ed me sisnql service n half century
ago. Just fifty years ago | was mid
shipman in the service Of his late Maj
esty, King George IIl,on duty in Amcr-
lea, and was engaged in the war OF 1872.
During the operations OF our fleet
around Washington city, | was upon
one occasion sent ashore with my men
in performance Of duty, and while thus
engaged was wounded and captured by
the American forces. While prisoner,
in this condition, was visited 10y "a
young Ml. Mason, who was quite
youth at the time, and was made the
recipient of the kindcst possible aitcn-
ton at his hands. lie not only looked
after my comfort in every way, 5ut
cheer,d my sick room by his presence,
gave me books and completely won by
heart by his delicate consideration Tor
his wounded adversary. When | was
finally exchanged, he accompanied me
aboard my ship under a flag of truce,
and we had grand ifolic; parting as
only friends do part.
Ii is almost useless TO inquire, after
this lapse of years, fear but l should
be happy To know that he Is alive and
prosperous" Il think said Mr.. NJ. in
reply, that | can assure YOU of both, AZ
| know the young man,as you call hun,
well. At the close of the war, he re-
turned to Virginia, resumed the study
of the law, came TO the bar, and entered
upon the practice. But he soon drlited
into politics, as his ancestors had done
before him, stood for his county, and
went TO Richmond rs a member OF tho
Legislature from Frederick county.
Passing then to the State Senate, hc
became in due course Of time "a member
of Congress Serving many years IN
that capacity, he was finally promoted
United States Senate. He was the rep
resentativc of his State in that body
until the year 1SCl, when Virginia
withdrew from the federation. lie then,
as matter of course, resigned,to follow
the fortunes OF his State. When the
Confederate States were duly organized
and the capital established at Richmond
he was rendered by President Davis,
and accepted, the appointment OF Com
missioner to Her Majesty's Government,
and, in short, as Mr.. Micawber would
say, he now sits before you" The
truth had, of coarse, dawncd upon tho
Admiral long before the climax was
reached, and when Mr. Mason bad con
cluded, he sprang to his feet, folded his
arms about the Virginian, and gave him
a genuine British hug "Ah!" said the
joyial bon u;Uani, with n gentle sigh,
didn't We make night Of ii after that