The Southern herald., 1885-11-28
A sroRY O. La


LL1 ~. eIatl a-ll4A O me Elala Ac14zI
cr ne southern Causs.
TFlnssargh Disputchl
~Whns I vas 10 Vlrginia,u said tie
gsnlsman (Raymand RaEnarl, 4 vas
made acquaintss with an iacidsut q Gen
sral Robert r Lee, waich makes him, in
ny eyes, q greater and uabisr man than I
ever before considered him. When the
var broke cut General Lee owned ona Of
the largest plantations in the Old Domin-
ion. His slaves were numbered BY The
hundreds and hey every one loved their
master General Lee was one Of those
who watched the approaching conflict
with sorrow; and it was only when his
native State seeded that be reluctantly
gave in 20 what be eonsidsred bis duiy,
and joinsi his fortunes VITA the Conied-
sraey. He was on the wrong side, and
when be sheathad his sword and returned
home. be found his property eOnhscatsd.
Il was converted into the famous Ma
tional cemetery for Union soldiers, and
thousands upon thousands were inferred
there.
''It was q severe stroke for General Lee.
The war seemed like q cruel dream.
Those who knew him before the struggle
saw how changed be had become He was
3 sad man. His neighbors felt how hard
it was for the magnificent plantation olbs
taken away from him, and often watched
him with interest as be passed BY in the
direction Of the soldiers burying-ground.
An old planter one night coming along the
road blythe place saw q eloaksd figure
moving about among the graves. Although
surprised and somewhat terrified, be
stopped to watch it. Il walked around a
shors time and finally leaned against a
grsat tree and stood motionless, only now
and then turning the head as if in hunt Of
some object For an hour the mys erious
being remained in that attitude, and then
fell upon its knees and, elasping its
hands, turned its face upward in prayer.
The moon was flooding everything with
light, and the planter, drawn irresistibly
on, erept up where be could view the face.
Just then the long cloak was gathered
around the person, and the ghost-like
stranger disappeared over q neighboring
hill.
''The planter hurried home and told the
story. Next night at twelve o'clock he re-
paired to the locality lust in time to see
the same eloaked figure start up and dis
appear over the hill. The planters curl.
osity was by this time aroused to the ut
most. A plan was concerted TO find who
the stranger was. On this night three Of
the planters of the locality went at about
ten O'Clock to the spot where the figure
had been seen before. They climbed to
the top Of tree near by, and there, hid
den by the branches, patiently sat and
waited. Shortly before midnight the
identical figure, all covered with tie
cloak, made its appearances. The mar
seemed to be in great distress. Silently
be stood and gassd around, and finally
throwing the Cloak aside, he knslt il
prayer. The watchers looked, and there
in the moonlight, were the upturned fea
lures OF Robert Z. Lee The mystery was
solved. The old General was visiting th'
home where he spent so many happy
years before he was made the victim OF 8
cruel war. Night after night he had beer
coming there, praying aTaong the graves
Of those against whom he had fought.
"The planters went home and the story
spread. 1t has almost been forgotten
Only the old colorod people of the local
ity preserve it and lone or two Of toe ole
planters, from whom ! obtained tn
| atorV.D