The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-08-07
ASlOry ofOld Hickory.

friendly letter to the editor OF the
Philadelphia Pres, contributes the
following rather apocryphal rem
iniscence of Andrew Jackson. We
may remark, for instance, that "Old
; Hickory. was hardly the man to
quote Latin phrase in a baekwoods
cabin, The contribution is inter
estiRg, however, as showing the class
of legends which is current to this
day in Tennessee, and which keep
there the memory of the old hero
fresh:
In the days of our fathers there
lived in Virginia an ole; planter, Ma.
jor Manley, who was anfoddity in
his way. Some said he was crazy,
while others declared that only an
inordinate love of fun gave rise to
his quaint doings. He might be
called practical joker, and it was
said he never allowed u stranger to
come and so without playing upon
him one or more of his ridiculous
tricks.
The Major was a largo strongly
built man, of middle age, bald head.
ed, rather red in the face, with an
eye deep set and twinkling,. The
guest was also of middle age, falland
spare, but compact and mgscdlar,
with features of a decided reonine
cast, strongly marked, heavy brows,
and shock of thick, crisp hair, that
stood up on his large head like the
name of a lion. IS
Supper was announced, and after
that the evening passed an pleasant
ly. As the clock struck nine, the
host arose and excused himself for
few minutes. When he returned he
was accompanied by negro, who
carried fiddle and a bow, and the
Major himself had large horse pis,
tol in his hand.
"My dear FRIEND" said the host, {
with a bow and a smile, 1--WE must
not let the evening pass without a
little amusement, From your looks,
| know you can dance. l have one
of the best fiddlors in the, world; he
learned to play in NesS Orleans, 8
p.asie-,,,,ls.1. y - x; --s.r-If
place upon the floor and dance us a
reel. Let it be a Scotch reel; you
look like a Scotchman. Come-make
no delay. Strike up, Pomp."
The guest protested that he could
not dance. He had not done such
thing since his boyhood. But Major
would not take no for an an
swer. lie did not make many words.
He cooked his pistol and sIorc he
would shoot the guest if he did not
dance. The negro had begun to trcm'
bic, and once or twice heseemed upon
the point of crying ont, but fear Of his
master withheld him.
The guest seemed to consider the
matter. He looked at the Major and
at the pistol The man might be
really insane, though if he was there
was much method in it, However,
he was there alone-none to behold
his discomfturc-and mayhap, he
thought, the tables might yet be
turned.
"Come, come! Dance, or l fire"
The guest arose and stood in the
middle of the room, and there began
to dance to the negro's music, but
the music was wretchod-so wretch
ed that the Major more than once
threatened to shoot the negro if he
did not play better.
The poor wayfarer danced until he
was fairly tired, and then stopped
The host was upon the point of urg- .
ing him on, when u horses tramp
was heard at the landing, and pres
cnly servant put his head into the
room and called the master out
Whether he forgot what he was do
ing, or he cared not to be seen out
side with his pistol, we cannot say
but he left it ON the table when he
went out. As soon as the door was
closed the guest went to the table,
and tool, the pistol in his hand. As
he had half suspected, it was not
loaded; it was as innocent as horse
shoe. But the traveller had his pis-
tol ammunition in his pocket, and he
quickly loaded the weapon withpow-
der and ball, calling upon the darkey
! 4