The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-03-13

family and although it matters but little
10 me, for the short time that remains to
ne, if I am poor, yet there are those who
IRE dear to me, whose condition l might I'M
prove by going to new country and trying
10 mend my fortunes My object in calling
IN you is to trouble you for letter to some
one in California merely to say that you
know me to be a respectable person, worthy |
Of confidence
After expressing my regret that ne should
feel obliged to emigrate to such distance
for then it looked like formidable under
taking to 20 to California; asked him If
he was fully determined. /
Yes said he, 4 have made up my mind.
Then set about thinking what l could DO
for him. / saw no way to give him assist
anee. l had no particular influence with the
Government at that time, and finally l said
I am sorry, MIR. Wilson, to say that, SO
far as l am aware, there is not human be-
ing in California that know. If | were to
undertake to give you letter to any one in
California, should not know to whom to
address it.
That makes no difference, said he;
everybody knows you, and certificate that
you know me, will be the most valuable tes-
timonial could have
Il will write one with great pleasure; al
though you probably overrate the influence
of my name in California, l want to give you
something that will be of benefit to you
Let me see, Mr.. Wilson. Colonel Benton
almost owns California, and he could give
you a letter to Fremont and others that
would be of first rate service to you.
He looked me in the face, half astonished
and half inquiringly, as much as to say
: Can it be possible that you are ignorant OF
the relations between Colonel Benton and
myself!
Il understand what you mean; am per-
fectly we'll aware of the past difficulties be-
tween you and Mr.. Benton, and the bitter
personal hostility that has existed. But /
want to say to you that great change has
come over Colonel Benton since you knew
him. His feelings and sentiments are soft
ened. We ere getting older. Our fiery,
hot blood is getting cooled and changed
It is hardly worth while for men, while they
are getting near the maximum of human life,
to indulge in these feelings of enmity and i'll
will. 1t is thing that we ought to rid our
selves of. Colonel Benton and have been
engaged in q war of words, as you and ne
have, and, up to two or three years ago, We
went out of the same door for years without
as much as saying "goOd morning" to one
another. Now, do not know man in the
Senate to whom would 60 with more GER
taiuty of having a favor granted than to Col.
Benton. He feels that age is coming upon
him, and be is reeonciled to many of his Bit
terest opponents.
SIS thy servant dog, replied Wilson,
that he should do this thing? 1 would not
have a letter from him, would not speak to
him, would not be beholden to him for a
favor-not to save the life of every member
of my family No, sir The thong ht of it
makes me shudder. feel indignant at the
mention of il. take letter from Mr.. Ben
ton ? l.
Stop, stop said L; that is the old man
speaking in you. That is not the spirit in
which to indulge. know how you feel
And while he was raving and protesting
and declaring, by all the saints in the calen-
dar, his purpose to accept no favor from
Colonel Benton, turned round to my desk
and addressed note to Benton, something
like this
Dear Sir, am aware of the disputes,
personal and political, which have taken
place between yourself and the bearer of this
note, Mr.. John Wilson. But the old gentle
man is now old, and is going to California,
and needs recommendation. l know no.
body in California to whom could address
letter that would be of any service to him.
You know everybody, and letter from you
would do him great deal of good. l have
assured Mr., Wilson that it will give you more
pleasure to forgive and forget what has pass
ed between you and him, and to give him a
letter that will do him good, than it will
him to receive it. l am going to persuade
him to carry this note, aud know you will
be glad to see him.
Wilson got through protesting, and l read
him the note. Then said:
i want you to carry it to Benton.
Il wont = he replied.
coaxed and scOlded and reasoned, and
brought every consideration-death, eternity
and everything else-to bear, but it seemed
of no use. Said /;
Wilson, you will regret it.
After awhile he got little SOftened, and
some tears flowed, and at last | made him
promise, rather reluctantly, that he would
deliver the note at Colonel Benton's door, if
he did not do any more. He told me after
ward that it was the bitterest pill he ever
swallowed. Colonel Benton's house was not
far from mine. Wilson took the note, and
as he afterwards told me, went up with trem-
bling hands, put the note with his own card
into the hand of the girl that came to the
door, and ran away to his lodgings. He had
been scarcely half an hour in his room,
trembling to think what he had done, when
note came from Colonel Benton, saying he
had received the card and note, and that
Mrs. Benton and himself would have much
pleasure in receiving Mr.. Wilson at break
fast at niue o'clock the next morning. They
would wait breakfast for him, and no answer
was expected.
THE idea said he to himself, that am
going to breakfast with Tom Benton John
Wilson, what will people say, and what shall
I say ? The thing is not to be thought Of
And yet l must; l have delivered the note
and sent my card. If don't go now, it will
be rude. wish I had not taken it. 1t
doesn't seem to me as if could 60 and sit
there at that table. i lay awake, said he
afserward to me, that night, thinking of it,
and in the morning 1 felt as man might
feel who had had sentence of death passed
upon him, and was called by the turnkey to
net nm for his hreakfast. I rose. however.