National Republican., 1883-06-15
a MAN wrrn A MEMonY.

OF COugresS L InHuo Ine acquaintance III "
hotel corridor, of one of tho most peculiar
characters that it has been my good fortune
TO encounter during my residence in Wash
ington for several years. He was native of
Athens, Tenn, had lived for several years in
Georgia. and had known both Mr. Hill and
Mr.. Stephens many years quito intimately.
By profession he was a lawyer. | never mot
man who possessed such n prodigious
memory for dates andafgures. During our
conversation he cited many points of
law, from more or less eminent au-
thorities, giving volume, page, and para
graph without moments hesitation.
Howas also claim agent. soon learned
that his knowledge was by no means COM
fined to law books he was equally we'll in
formed upon ancient and modern history,
English, French, and American literature
and politics-what fact in American politics,
past, present, and near future ho did not
know was not worth recording or remember
ing. As to anecdote, he was full and running
over. Amusing stories would bubble up be-
tween his paragraphs of sober fact in man
ner quite astonishing, 2
This individual was introduced to mo as
Maj. H., formerly of the confederate army.
In appearance no was tall and commanding.
His head was long, his hair iron gray, and
the only beard ho wore was q thin moustache.
His eyes were black and peculiar. While he
related some sober fact or made n quotation
they were still and thoughtful, usually di-
rected away from his listener but when he
had some funny anecdote TO tell he would
pull nervously at his moustache and throw
his flashing, twinkling orbs straight into
your own in q manner never to be forgotten.
l have often wondered how this mans eyes
would look whom expressing anger.
His dress was very striking. A high silk
hat--damaged a little-covered his long head
U mean TO buy that article the next time
encounter tho maior) He wore q cloak, an
ordinary pair of trousers, and his feot wero
encased in "gum Shoes" This completed his
attire-visible attire-with the exception of a
paper collar.
After we had conversed-he didn't allow
me many words-upon various topics for half
an hour or longer, the major suddenly
dropped into tho late rebellion. Now, |
thought, | shall have feast of stories and
new facts, and no did give me several really
good yarns which have doubtless never been
printed. He also stated several circumstances
which the numerous "bistUrians" " of the late
rebellion failed to incorporate in their works.
These he swore to. They will do to keep for
the present
One characteristic of my peculiar acquaint-
ance l have failed to mention. He was very
spit about every half sentence. Whisky he
was also an admrer of, though he seldom
used il to excess.
"Maior," / said, "as you have known Mr..
Alex. Stephens a long time, perhaps you can
tell me some episode in his long career which
will amuse the general public. VIII you try
to recall onep
He thought moment, and then suddenly
exclaimed, evidently recalling some very
amusing event:
"Maierp and burst into loud laugh.
"What in the world does Mailer mean ~
inquired in astonishment.
Let's get some cigars" he said, "and I'll
tell you all about it,"
In a few moments we were again seated,
and Mai. H began
"Those were durn sorry times for the
southern confedoracy. In the year 1864 was
in the commissary department, and south
eastern Virginia was about the worst section
l ever saw for bread, meat, and molasses.
Our troops were hungry nearly all the time,
and it was hard work to scrape together
enough to prevent starvation. 1t was
actually sometimes tho case that l fully real
lied that sufficient unto the day was the grub
thereof. Tomorrow took care of tomorrow
on many occasions, for Ive started out often
with n squad of men in search of corn
and meat when there was not enough in the
neighborhood for the next meal. l usually
got something, however. Gen. - once said
to me, when had secured n lot of stuff when
we were hard up, Major, / don't understand
it. 1t seems sometimes as if you had only to
stamp your foot and take drink to summon
from the devil knows where two or three
wagon loads of stores This encouraged me,
of course to greater efforts / had way of
getting on the good side of the country
women, and it would have done you good to
see how they would bring out sides of meat
VN1n off II had int ffnt uaA
them privately. / had with me an Irishman
who was also quite successful sometimes. He
was not bad looking man, and had a head
full of wit and smooth tongue. He was with
me almost constantly.
"One day l went to Richmond on some
business. My Irish friend accompanied me.
We had gone around the city some time max
ing private purchases, and having n good
time generally, when l was astonished one
day by summons to report at once to the
vice president, Alex. Stephens. What the
devil does he wantY said Pat I'll call him
Pat) when / told him. DID If know,
was my reply. Come onp He didn't want
to go, though he did go all the same
"When we reached the vice presidents
apartments l reported to the sentinel my
business. That sounds strange, doesn't it.
business?'
" Mr.. Stephens was alone and in bad
humor. His black eyes had an ominous
glitter in them. Pat was scared. Il didn't
tell you Pat was an officer; he was, though,
and good one.) Mr.. Stephens had pen in
his long, bony, little fingers. His face was
careworn and sallow his manner was nerv-
Gus; he was troubled.
when We had seated ourselves at his bid
ding he began to inquire into the condition
of our troops whether we had many stores;
what the condition of the country was in the
southeast, and many other questions about
the conlmissary department. Pat didn't open
his mouth. lie had never before seen the
vice president, and the terrible eyes set in
his head, his little body, and bony hands.
Pat would have given up his commission TO
have gotten out Of that room. | think l
never saw any one so nervous as he was.
answered the vice president the best
could. My replies were not calculated to lessen
his i'll humor. When i had finished he com
menced TO fairly boil. God, those eyes. All
he said | will not tell you. 1t is enough that
he did not like the way things were going.
He differed with somebody. Finally he rang
a bell, and his servant entered. You know
what u sharp, shrill voice that man has. You
should have heard il upon that occasion,
There's no describing it..
"Jim,' said the vice president. THE negro
appeared not at all moved by his masters
anger and excitement but my dead uncle
Darn if didn't feel for Pat.) Jim, hand
me that candle there pointing to the mantel-
piece give me that candle
The servant obeyed, and left the room
Whom the door wns shut, the vice president
arose, took hold Of the tallow dip by the CEN
ter and stretched out his thin arm.
go Do you see that cande2' in that peculiar
voice of his, DOyou see that candle2 If
4 OF haII hon he. k,