Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-12-20
MAJOR GEN. RANDOLPH.
The Surprising Way in Which He
Turned Out.

was NpuHS Ihdil pi Ieisuft- NV
physician had prescribed vacation.
and was taking il in a 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
ot a lovely disposition and a strong
character. This is not a story of nv
court>hip. OF | might tell how the grape
vines We're laden with their purple har-
vest, the apples were showing their
golden color through the leaves 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
tenlng to her low voice.
But the time was coming when we
must separate. She was poor. had
Vet nv name and fame to make in the
world. Wanting a position as govern
eS>. 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 | were together under q
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 a journey
lazily lying on the ground irving to
make her stop to eat the golden fruit
with which | was pelting her, when nv
uncle came near with an open letter
which he threw into Alice's lap.
Il am glad YOU will have company,
child" he said
Alice read it. and in answer to nv
inquiries told me that DR. B., a we'll
known divine from one of the large
Eastern cities, who knew NV 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
i remember the inward curse | visited
on the poverty that compelled me to
allow a stranger to do the task that
would have been 80 delightful to me
Mrs. B.. to whom she had engaged
herself As gOVcrnesS. also sent n 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
ne walked up the drive with my uncle
He was a man of about medium
L,,rl- II -, -.
impression OF great activity. His
whole bearing was that of soldier
He had remarkable face. wavv, brown
hair brushed back from a high fore
head. fair complexion. eyes 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 slOuCh Rat. of
the finest. SofteSt felt. gave him a dis
tinguishcd appearance.
With an air Of good breeding worn
by 4 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 Il was the last week of Au-
gust MANY of the summer boarders
had fed. and those that remained were
perhaps the most cultivated who had
been with Us. In those hazv davs of
late summer and early autumn there
was little 10 do but sit on the piaZzas
and watch the changing lights on the
HIS.
G.aersl Randolph was here and there
and EVERYWHERE I have seen "uch of
me ypTtQ SINCE. ana Ance. my vile.
a keen iucrr of men and things. ous
". can both freely say that he was the
most fascinating man We have ever
met. He had keen intellect and was
brilliant in conversation. His fund OF
information seemed endless. He would
sit on the piazza an hour at a time,
twirling the little cane which he always
carried. discussing 3 favorlte author or
Telling a funny story or pathetic incl
dent of his army life We asked no
greater pleasure than TO watch the
iChts and shadows of his wonderful
ewes.
The ladies were charmed with him.
One of nv cousins mixed his brandy
and water nightly, and rich young
widow. who had many suitors at her
feet. received his attentions with evi-
dent pleasure But he had the tact
which made no one Jealous or unhappy
In his presence. Not pang crossed crossed
nv mind in thinking that Alice would
travel with him. He was my ideal OF a
Southern gentleman and my only feel
ing was one of pleasure that Alice
would be SO well taken care OF.
He formed special friendship for .
eentIeman who had school u the