The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-02-04
A CHARLESTON ROMANCE
THE LOVE-CHASE OF JEFF DAVIS
AND IT'S RESULTS.
"A Ward OF Bishop Ingland the Object
or His Afrccti0ns-The Ball and the
Projected DueI--stoppcd in tho
Nick or Time

WA AAaH @AhcShiVhS-InC baIl ana the
Projected DueI--stoppcd in tho
Nick or Time.
Recent pyrotechnic displays on the
floor Of the Nations Senate rs to whether
Jefferson Davis was patriot or traitor
a score of years or so ago have again at
tractcd attention to the man whom Sam
Ward once jocularly styled "the great
American myth" But even if it be true
that Mr.. Davis, according to Willli: m
Tccumseh Sherman, was a double dis
TILED traitor originally to the cause he
afterwards championcd, there is yet lit
tie doubt that moro than one romantic
chapter has appeared in the hnrd-shcll
Southerner's career. And Of this be-
came more than convinced after hearing
bit Of entertaining gossip about his
early days.
When Jeff Davis, in his twentics
during his Western service had obtained
his commission in the First Dragons
he was given furlough. After a brief
visit to the Capital and as brief soiourn
among his Kentucky relatives, the young
officer drove post haste to luxurious
Charleston, where all the wealth and
beauty OF the Southern planters world
were concentrated. OF course there
was an attraction to the West Pointer at
Charleston. This attraction was n bright
eyed beauty, Miss Colby, whose rcpu-
tation rs belle is famous in South
Carolnian annals
Col. Charles Colby, wealthy Ashley
River planter, dying in 1920 or 1921, had
left his only daughter, staunch Episco-
palian though he was, to the guardian
ship Of DR.. John England, first Catholic
Bishop of Charleston. Just how Lieut..
Davis became acquainted with the plant
er's heircss ! have not learned. But
two nights after his arrival in Charles
ton an invitation was handed the officer
to attend ball in the famous Town
Hall. Davis card had been sent up to
DR.. England's episcopal residence almost
before he had shaken the dust Of travel
from his shoes, with, of course. billet
addressed to Miss Colby. The hours
must have dragged wearily along on the
day preceding the great ball. The city
was all agog with. the, excitement, and
the planters coaches rolling over the
stones in rumbling haste, were within
sight of the anxious young officer watch
ing from an upper story window Of =
strange hoStelry.
Unaccompanicd, the youth made his
way into the ballroom, and leaning
against a pillar, eagerly scanned each
new arrivals face. The soldierly bear
ing OF the ex-cadet, the fine eyes, light
ing up manly, scholarly face, possibly
won admiring comments from the lips
Of Charleston's naughty danes and
damsels. He was observed to change
his listless attitude and suddenly start
toward the ballroom doorway, through
which Miss Colby, all at her lovcliest,
was entering on the arm of dark, i'm
perious looking gentleman in the full
evening dress Of the period. Undeterred
by tho sight of her escort, I.ouisianian
Of proud Creole family, Davis was soon
at the beauty's side, who smiled her
welcome rs she extended her hand.
While basking in the light of the fair
ones eyes. the youth, fresh from the
rude service of the frontier, shook off
his bashfulness and all melancholy
faded from his countenance, when he
was given the blissful privilege of escort
ing his partner to the banquet room,
regardless Of the claims Of her escort,
his cup Of pleasure ran brimming over.
An exact account Of what subse-
quently occurred has come to no mans
ears. But this much, at least, l believe
is true: The stern looking cavalier who
had been Miss Colby's original at
tendant had watched with blazing eyes
the assiduous attentions of the Ken
tuckian and had entered tho supper.
room close upon his heels. The sitting
at the table, according to the custom OF
that old-fashioned time, was prolonged.
Champagne was quaffed in cordial South.
ern way, and q certain ill-supprcssed ex.
citement seemed to pervade the atmos-
phore in the neighborhood of Davis and
the beautiful Colby. AS the lady rose
from the table the lieutenant leaned for
ward to remove her chair. Hardly had
his hand touched the back Of the seat
when the Creole sprang toward him and
tore the grasp away. It was but -
seconds work for Davis to thrust him.
self between his assailant and Miss
Colby, who, pale-eyed and trembling,
shrank back affrighted to tho door.
Friendly hands had ,interposed, and
Lieut. Davis placed the object Of his
attention within tho ball room. Before
he could follow her tho enraged Louisi-