The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-01-21
MAI. GEN RANDOLPH, 1. s. A.
BY ANNIE KENDR1cK BENEDICT.

BY ANNIE KENDRICK BENEDICT.
1The following sketch is true one
Every incident in connection with Gen
eral Randolph has come within th'
experience of friend.-AUTHoR.
was young man of leisure. M!
physician had prescribed vacation, ant
1 was taking it in Summer boarding
house among the hills, in company witt
an uncle and aunt and some prett!
cousins.
One of these cousins was Alice Braut.
ley. She was an orphan, my uncles
ward, and she added to the attraction O
large dark eyes and fair face that of
lovely disposition and strong character
This is not story of my courtship, or
might tell how the grape vines were
laden with their purple harvest, the
apples we're showing their golden color
through the leayes-in short, how I hae
fingered far beyond my convalescence, al
for the joy of sitting in the light o.
Alice's eyes aud listening to her lon
voice.
But the time was coming when we
must separate. She was poor. | had
yet my name and fame 10 make in the
world. Wanting position as governess
she had replied to an advertisement from
a lady in the South. Her application
had been accepted, money had been sem
for her outfit, and she was busy about bel
preparations.
Alice and I were together under big
apple tree one morning, she stitching
away on some of the numberless garment:
that women think they must have il
they are going to make 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.
II am glad you will have company,
child" he said. Alice read it. and in
answer to my inquiries told me that DR.
B., well known divine from one of the
large Eastern cities, who knew my uncle
we'll, had written introducing Major
General Randolph, of the Confederate
Army, who was to come through oul
town, and would accompany her to hel
destination.
We thought no more of it, except that
remember the inward curse l 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 introduc'
ton, 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 soldier. He had a remark.
able face, wavy brown hair brushed back
from high forehead, 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 grey trav
cling coat and handsome brown yalise
become him we'll, and his slough hat, o.
the finest, softest felt gave him distin
guished appearance.
With air of good breeding worn by s
man of the world he acknowledged the
introduction which my uncle gave in
passing, and went to his room to remove
the dust of travel.
His coming marked an era in our quiet
life. 1t was the last week in August
Many of the Summer boarders had fed
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
to sit on the piazzas and watch the chang
ing lights on the hills.
General Randolph was here and there
aud everywhere. l have seen much oi
the world since, and Alice, my wife, is q
keen judge of men and things, but we
can both freely say that he was the most
fascinating man we have ever met. He
had keen intellect and was brilliant iu
conversation. His fund of information
seemed endless he would sit on the
piazza an hour at time, twirling the
little cane which he always carried, dis
cussing a favorite author, or telling 9
funny story or pathetic incident of his
army life. We asked no greater pleasure
than to watch the lights and shadows o.
his wonderful eyes.
The ladies were charmed with him
one of my cousins mixed his brandy and
water nightly, and rich young widow
who had many suitors at her feet, receiv
ed his attentions with evident pleasure
But he had the tact which made no one
jealous or unhappy in his presence. MOI
a pang crossed my mind in thinking thai
Alice would travel With him. He was
my ideal of Southern gentleman, and
my only feeling WAS one of pleasure tina
Alice would be so we'll taken care of.
lie formed special friendship for {
gentleman who had a school in the
neighborhood. I remember that one
evening as ne sat in the parior he asked
this gentleman to purchase for him {
number Of books during visit 10 New
York. He wrote down from memory tht
titles Of at least one hundred o. the bes
books, aud our friend readily promised
to do as he desired and give the privilege
of his discount. The General also pro
posed to briug his brother to our friend'
school, and offered generous subscrip