The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-12-19
MAJOR GEN. RANDOLPH.
The Surprising Way in Which He
Turned Out.

was young man of leisure. My
physician had prescribed a vacation,
and l was taking it in summer board
ing house among the hills, in company
with an uncle and aunt and some pref
ty cousins.
One of these cousins was Alice Brant-
ley. She was an orphan, my uncle's
ward, and she added to the attraction
of large, dark eyes and fair face that
of a lovely disposition and strong
character This is not story, of my
courtship, or might tell how the grape
vines were laden with their purple har-
vest, the apples were showing their
golden color through the leaYes-in
short, how | had fingered far beyond
my convalescence, all for the Joy of sit
ting in the light of Alice'S eyes and lis
tening to her low voice.
But the time was coming when we
must separate. She was poor l had
yet my name and fame to make in the
world. Wanting a position as govern
ess, she had replied to an advertise
ment from a lady in the South. Her
application had been accepted, money
had been sent for her outfit, and she
was busy about her preparations.
Alice and l were together under
big apple-tree one morning, she stitch
ing away on some numberleSs garments
that women think they must have if
they are going to make 4 journey |
lazily lying on the ground trying to
make her stop to eat the golden fruit
with which | was pelting her, when my
uncle came near with an open letter
which he threw into Alice's lap.
81 am glad you will have company,
child he said.
Alice read it, and in answer to nv
inquiries told me that Dr. b., we'll
known divine from one of the large
Eastern cities, who knew my uncle
well, had written, introducing Major
General Randolph, of the Confederate
army, who was to come through our
town and would accompany her to her
destination.
We thought no more of it except that
| remember the inward curse | visited
on the poverty that compelled me to
allow stranger to do the task that
would have been so delightful to me.
Mrs. B., to whom she had engaged
herself as gOverness, also sent letter
of introduction and we only awaited
his coming.
Well [ remember the morning that
he arrived. We were sitting on the
broad piazza in front of the house as
he walked up the drive with my uncle.
He was a man of about medium
height, rather slight, but giving the
impression of great activity. His
whole bearing was that of a soldier.
He had remarkable face, wavy, brown
hair brushed back from a high fore
head, fair complexion, ewes that
changed with every changing motion,
now laughing, now pathetic, now keen
and sharp, now earnest, never really
sinister or wicked. His gray travelling
coat and handsome brown valise be-
came him well, and his SLOUGH hat, of
the finest, softest felt, gave him a dis
tinguished appearance.
With an air of good breeding worn
by man Of the world he acknowledged
the introduction which my uncle gave
in passing, and went to his room to re-
move the dust of travel.
His coming marked an era in our
quiet life. 1t was the last week of Au-
gust. Many of the summer boarders
had fled, and those that remained were
perhaps the most cultivated who had
been with us. In those hazy days of
late summer and early autumn there
was little to do but sit on the piazzas
and watch the changing lights on the
hills.
General Randolph was here and there
0nd everywhere. | have seen much of