The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-01-22
"REMINISCENCES.
MEN AND THINGS OF LONG AGO
New ALBANY. Ind. Jan. 10, 1881.
WILL COSDES.


WILL CoSDEN.
Who knew him? ! doubt if there be
l think he was about my age. He was
a youth of fine mind and morals; more
admired, perhaps. than loved, for he had
set Il high estimate upon integrity and
moral character. He knew himself. and
knew what constituted the man: and by
his standard OF men. to entitle them to
his estimation, they must measure up
to his standard, must possess the virtues.
With him. it was mind which made the
man, and thus he would rather be alone
than choose friends below his stand
ard. His father, who. in his day. was a
lawyer of high standing, and knew Will
mind and manner bought for him fine
rifle With this. Will would roam the
woods and the river bank, where he
would entertain himself on his own
thoughts. if he had no suitable company.
He had q select few with whom he asso-
ciated. He did not subscribe to the
worlds thought that bad company is
better than none That aphoriSm was
not in his vocabulary and he knew he
did not subscribe to it by practice or pre-
cept. | will not say that viii formed
his idea Of what Young man is. who
regards the word of God where it is writ
ten thus. How shall young man cleave
his wav?" and answered. by taking
heed thereto according to Thy word. His
cstimable woman, and his father had been
clergyman of the Episcopal Church
until he exchanged the pulpit for the
bar. Mrs. Cosden was Il very fine lady.
and venture to say that VIII was trained!
up in the way he should 90. This in
sist upon, that he had a high sense OF
honor. lie knew what was right, and
knowing, dared to maintain it. lie was
youth of fine form, and was extremely
manly. Thus constituted, at proper age
he WAS sent to the grammar school at
| Newark, Del, about six miles from Elk
ton. now known, believe, as the Newark
| College. About his assiduity to study.
presume it was good. The tutor, III
whose cafe he was. know nothing about.
The tutor WAS, | suppose, man and
likely to err: be this as it may. we know
| that all men are imperfect. On one occ;,-
/ sion. when Cosden' class was reciting, tho
! tutor, not having the virtues which make
| the man, or possibly may have had the
toothache or something which inter
rupted his patience. remarked: = Dung
| gentlemen, | perceive that some of you
do not know your grammar rules. Mr.
/ Cosden, | refer particularly to you.
! Quick as the lightning's flash, this was
an open reproof. Quick as the light
ning's flash, CoSden closed his book anC
left the room. fastening to his board
/ ing house, where his beloved rifle was
he quickly loaded it, and. leaving this
writing on the table" Death is prefer
able to dishonor; deliver my rifle to Ru
dolph Bennett. blew his brains cut.
Now. who killed Will Cosden? Vain
man. dressed in little brief authority
plays such fantastic airs before higl
heaven as make even ar gels weep. How
much more BETTING for that tutor hat
he quietly called Cosden's attention t.
his deficiency, than thus to expose hin
before all the class or school. | do no
know what became of that tutor, but he
certainly erred. But he many times
doubtless, mourned over his act.
ooh would some power the Giftie gle us,
To see ourselves rs Others see us,
1t wad free many an error from u.s.
| know what became of George b. Cos
den. .Iere Cosdeu was a gentleman. Mrs
Cosden was a perfect lady. heard Mr.
Cosden. who was very digniticd. STATE
minister: There came a parishioner t,
him one day complaining of the bad con
duct of neighbor, and having statet
his case. asked Mr.. CoSden what he ough
to do with such man. Said Cosden
Pray for him-thats according to tn,
word of Cod Well when and whcr,
shall | pray for him?' queried the visi
tor when and where? Right nov
and right here He knelt down are
went to prayer. Having prayed for some
time Cosden suggested: That will d,
for this time No" said he I'd
him: want to burn him to the stump.
| have just read in The Wig, of thu
Sth instant. of the death of Mrs. Mar,
Evans. wife of the late DR.. Amos Alex
ander Evans whom | knew in Elktol
when a boy. in 1915. DR.. Evans stamped
himself upon the citizenship of Eikton Il
Il -enteman of the purest type. In al
of my life. | think never knew Il NOR,
perfect type OF 4 gentleman than DR.
Evans cvinced i'll his everyday walk
Mrs. Evans was in all things perlcc
Christian lady. i'hcy lived first. or whcI
| knew them. in new brick house jus
across Main street from the Franklin
House. kept then by George Peacock
The Evans family were OF the best il
Maryland. was most intimately ac
quainted with Levi II. Evans. perhaps
the Youngest son. clcrked for him dur
ing the summer of 1919, in the old Adam
Whann store room. | remember yer,
distinctly the trouble between Levi ant
James Mackey What it grew out of
never knew: hut Levi challenged MackcN
to duel. which Mackey declined.
Levi Evans married Il Miss Stump. .
Hartford county. and died early. Sh,
was a sister of Henry Stump. The fam
lily was 4 high-strung aud noble one.
knew Henry Stump: he was older thai
me. DR.. Evans was one of earth be s.
men. He would not do mean act. MOI
countenance it in another.
Very respectfully yours,
T. J. SAMPLE.
/ LETTER FROM THE ORPHAN.
ALTooNA. Pa. January 10. 1881.