The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-11-24
Sprctal cbrrcspondence Chicago Times.

foot steps, with q martial ring IN them, In the hail
The dnor ~cIcned, and a man 4 ChpstrrAeldian heigh
built, with finnish white hair and short, rather epsrse
-clumpy" white beard entered. Ills o. cs wcro gra,
blue. and the left had In II u slight cast, with 1mI
suspicion Of ~catarac;. lie saluted General Adam
once. calling le by nnme. which 'aad, Of course, bes
given by Jndgo Walker In the introductory letter.
The others retired, and Ir Da 10. who wns smok
Ing a cigar. seated himself, motionIn2 to mo IN d,
likewise. Then, with the never failing p%olitsness a
these people, he took o fragrant Havana" from hi
vest pocket. handed 1t tn me and gave me hin cigar t
light /; With, which ! did. 1t WIS thus that / smoke
THE oALuMENr OF PEACE,
30 tn speak with Jeferron Davis.
We'll, sir" h. said, in = fine, full, manly voice, o
great swretness ~ well, Il am very glad to SEQ 80,
and hear from Judge Walker"
expressed my thinks, and, not being a good ham
at diplomacy, ol which the great rebel 10 o pro:oun'
master, l remarked:
you at all. have no desire to intrude upon yon, no
am | sctuatcd BY any vulgar curiosity. Tho Judg
and myself th"nght, however, that at the prrsen
crisis. you might give expression to sone opinion
that would be sure to interest the whole county. A
an TN o general tour u the south, ard hive cart
blanche to visit her distinguished mrn, l cnuld hardl,
g. by Reauv"lr without calling upon YOU"
Mr.. Davis smiled superior" took a couple Of lcn'
pnffs at his c'gar, p ked the blazing l0Ss upon tn
henrth-store and mildly answered
II should b. NEST happy 10 talk With you on genera
matters. sir. but ] have strictly adhered 10 the rul
II MT allowing myself TO bo interviewed on m.
political subject, for reas"ns or which ] Am sue yni
do not need 10 h nr explained. / am glad yuu wsr
frank with HE, although no explanation on SOUR par
was necessary to assure me that you would not .cek nj
interview a;ninst my inclination. Judge Walker
letter was sufficient assul ancs OF that"
II nm glud you view my presence In that light, Nj
Davis" answered, "Saturally the country woul
Ike t" hear ir"n you. but since you have made VI
your mind mt TO speak. that ends thu matter"
"lhurk YOU" he returned very politely. ~ hav
rather occupied lately"
"iou are, l understand, preparing your memoirs
Mr.. Davis," vrntlr+d.
Yea, but Ills rather slow work. Writing Is no
my forte" he answered, smi iugly. ut keeps me vi
late, and my health snterr."
Tucked ut him, but could zee nothing very invalid
Ike In his appearance. With the
WEIGHT or THEE Sconx AND TEN ". NTEEs
upon his shoulders, Jrfforsun Davis might ensii,
pass Tor ID, ur loss, but for bis soIl, what pale face ant
white hnir. His voice has st,lI the ring Of youth. ont
although always L sumrwbat d, licate person. l au
sure Mr.. Davis Is q mnn OF immense vital power.
lonked up 1T the engraving Oh the wall, and asked 4
what Ieriod vi bis life that wis taken.
The picture from which II WIS engraved" he re
Piled, "~hs taken In 1855. when ! was In the Wa
Department at Washington They " an.cd 1t to pu
on Government xurrnnts, l think"
] said nothing, because In the Davis before NJ
there was not the slightest resemblgl &C t. the 1lavil
OF the picture. 1t lW'ked, save the nlustache, mucl
more like the lato Prot. Gustarus Grary. / hav'
never seen an engraving, painting, ortrait or photo
gruph thar gives even 3 tUlcrable idea of what Jetier
SOD Davis LOW lo"ks like. Every representation
have ever -een nf the gentleman gave him n very slit
look and hollow oh, ck,. Thosr taken during the cbeli.I
him haichrt-Iaced, with an unbrcuming chintuft Of thu
stereoiyIrd "Uncl. Sam" pattern. At the present
time, pro: ably ON account Of cultivutlng bis anything
bu, luxuriant beard, Mr.. Davis IL not hstchet-iacrd q
all, The prominence Of his nose and cheek homes hal
been mi,irated. lie dues not LOOK emHciated, either
Or the contrary, Ills ury,pOrtiOn u his height although
he is fr from straight, Is admirable. LIE bears him
self mnr.iaIIy yet, with something Of old West Poin'
where, ~prrbnps. he used u patron'ze Benny
Haven. O"-nhnut him. and thr-e Is q ray of Bntns
Vistn's red glory upon his brow. shining through thu
accnrscd clond OF 'renson and rebellion that settled
o rr him during that hateful strife between the gov
ernrirnl u! the people mud thr faction OF the slave
holders. One could wish, 10 gazing on hi gray hairs
hat he had died with Y,Ii and Clay and bis ether
brave companions in arms on that memorable day
when dsuutlessly leading biz Mississippi ttfcs, 10 raj