Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-05-12


man without country. For some
time after his return from Europe he
applied himself assiduously to his le-
gal practice and to his farming inter
ests, so that now he has quite com
petence.
About the first intimation that any
one at the North had that Toombs was
still alive was the report of an intel
view between him and correspond
ent of the New York Tribune. The
publication of that interview, / am
told, caused infinite amusement i'll
Georgia.
HOW ToOMBS STUFFED A TRIBUNE
CoRREsP NDENT.
The correspondent whose name was
Smalley, was sent South to look after
the Kuklux. For that purpose lie
sought out Toombs in his native Willis
in washington, Wilkes county
Smalley arrived in that village about
noon. and after getting homemade
cocktail about as stiff as it cOald man.
ufactured and some bacon and greens,
he went forth to hunt up Toonlbs.-
Several persons were airing them
selves on the piazza of the hotel, and
Smalley accoSted the most intelligent
looking of the party:
Would you be Kind enough to in
form me where | might find Gen.
Toombs ~
ION Business ?" suggested the man.
"Well, no." said Smalley; Il am a
correspondent of the New York Trib-
une, aud L have called to pay my re-
spects to the General
My name is Toombs," said the man,
land L am very glad to see YOU
Boys" turning and reckoning to a
crowd who were summing themselves
on some dry-goods boxes just across
the street "boys, come over and lets
take something. Here's a man all the
way from New York TO see me-
Come Ger"
They did come over, and for about
an hour aud a half Toombs put Small
ley through a course of sprouts that
should be a warning to all young
journalists. Bob didn't make II very
imposing appearance on that occasion
He had on limp felt hat of the ali
tique vriety, common red leather shoes
plantation brogans, and his jeans
clothes Topped around him with NJ
intention of fitting. But for all thai
he got the best of Smalley.
Tuumbs' Imagination is usually pro
life and vivid, but on that Afternoon
he abso. utely pumped himself dry fol
SnIalIey. He stuffed him with the.
MOST IMPROBABLE LIES
that could be conceived of; introduced
him to DIR Andrews, of the Washing
ton Gazette, as the leader of the kU'
k Tx Khan, and recOuntGd in the mos
Ilemn manner Il dozen CHASTITY muir
| dtrs which the doctor had committ, d
| doubt whether tie correspondent
; suspects TO this day that he was tht
subject of such severe stuffIng, for ht
faithfully chrOnicltd all the outrage
| to which T0onlbs called his attention
aud he reported the greater part OF th'
interview with such irresistibiy conf
cal solcmnity that | have Away
| thought of him since as one of The
! innOcents abroad.
As if repenting OF his hoax, Toomh
invited ihe correspondent To his hous
! to tea, and we have the word of th
| latter that he was never more char
min2ly entertained. He spoke OF IT,
! conversational powers of his host a
! something extraordinary.
| Some time ago Toombs became in
! volvcd il Il personal controversy Mil
| that willy demag0cne, OK GOvernU
Jue BIO va, out of which tie former
| 10 the intense regret of his friends an'
| admirers, came second best. Thl
seemed 10 cas- t sort OF cloud over tn
! General, and for Il line lie WAS lost Il
| public view. Later, however, lie cam
once more To the front rs the advocate
of IA Constitutional Convention To Re
model the instrument framed 10y tn
carppt-bag Convention of 1868. lie de
livere,i speech on that subject Will
the Legislature was III session but
tie newspapers report OF the ef!eC WA
AT all correct, | fancy that it did 10
have the tendency to advance til
cause he had at heart. Here and Their
coul be fOuld faint glimmerings Q
his q d s'yie, tut the visg,I ana fiuehc.
and elouu1nce We're wanting III
sharp epigramatic sentences, the bril-
liant, antiIheticai periods were no
there. And yet il is said Il at eve
now, when he is Ioused up and hus
tied upon the platform with no tim
for thonCht or preparation. he can lii
himself nearly to the level nf the an
Gent days.