Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-02-14
One to Eleven.

Some of my readers have, PROBABLY
IN their wanderings, struck most de-
hchttul region of country located be-
tween the Tombigbee and the Black
Warrior near the central part OF Ala
bama. Not far north OF the point
where these two beautiful rivers meet
in n settlement called Hollow Square,
where. until few years ago, dwel'
one of the most eccentric natives ol Tue
oood old State. He was as rough OH
the outside as scaly bark; but at hear
a. tender as woman. He was
planter when 1 knew him; but nau
been a lawyer, although his practice
had extended only over a few years OF
his Young manhood, and in the court oi
Greene, his native county.
SQUIRE Alexander was built Tor an
eccentric man. There vas not lhe
FIRST trace of comellness in his long,
peaked and beardless face. and not the
first suspicion of grace in the move
ments of his long, lank, lean, lop-sldeo
body. His head, though remarkably
well shaped. was badly thatched, and
I often heard him say that, at sixty
years of age he had no more hair Oh
his head than which he was born.
But he would say, with roar ike
unto that of a bull of Bashan, L hac
the advantage over most new children
born IN the Mississippi territory, IL
that came into the world with iull
set of as strong teeth as ever went
through hoe-cakc or picked the drum
stick of Bush Creek turkey
Aud here be would show his teeth
as large us those intended for giant o
moderate dimensions and as nearly
pearly-white as though just turned ou
from the workshop OF the most sKlliin
tooth.carpenter of modern times.
The last time l Jaw the Squire wat
at bis hospital home just before TIT
breaking out 0: the disagreement be
tween the government and our wav
ward sister of the south. The ole
massion-Rlways open to stranger a
we'll as 10 lrieuds-was full OF guests
| from north. south, east aud west.
Among them l remember Bishop
afterward Major.General Leonida'
Polk. of louisiana; RoHer A. Pryor
then editor of Washington or Rich
; mond paper, afterward also genera
in the Confederate army, and now
well.knowh lawyer of this city; tw'
sons of Bishop Cobb, of Alaoam'
John A. Winston, the son OF Govern
!, Winston; DR.. Hunt, father OF Carleto
r Hunt. the Congressman elect from u
First District Of Louisiona; William
lYaucey' he silver-tonged orator
I. the SOUTH and number OF ieg'
r. liohts whose voices had been heard
the court room from one end oi Il
country 10 the other.
After a glorlous dinner, cooked al
k served as that meal can be served IN L
south only by artists adscripta gleoae
attacbed TO the spacious parlora, "her
-s breaking up into groups, some discuss
=, the fragrant Indian weed, some I
crops. some political questions OF
day. while others tried conclusions ov
the chess-board, and others ags
s,arted TO sit out Winning and iosi
hands at our national game OF pek
without the draw; in other wore
poker. pure aud simple, stIaight, bar
lit foot
or Several of lbe lawyers were collect
in one corner OF the room, where a.
tho fashion of limbs Of the law W
meet infrequently, except to pomoa
each other with wsrcy pellets Of
broin ostensibly tor the benefit oil th'
: clients, they fell to comparing no
> and verifying various "reminiscences
the sta tutes.
Squire Alexander was an "s'e' !,
,.tener / seldom heard a word IT
his lips willie the pleasant chat
gong on, but his voice was by no ~e'
% dumb; for, IN recognition of every sa
Of Wit or point Of humOr made by
JIso, ,sker, there would burst upon
] air one of those characteristic howls
lane bter that could have been P
pelle d only by his lun gs'
II, ring the conversation the quest
.r,.e a. to whether it rad ever b
desni, lely settled by the courts That
whole Of the verdict rendered by j.
should be recorded. There seemed
he no u ositive opinion. although es
!. of,be speakers in turn was SAILS
that his impression was the cofl
III one. Oh lawyer Posey, who up
n. this point had remained silent react
nd over 10 Sc 'ulre Alexander, and, tapF
oI him On the knee, said impressively:
w w esquire, it strikes me with 9
&c dealo, forcs tbatyou moughs ediiS