National Republican., 1886-10-23
Woodward & Lothrop,
No. 1913 f Street Northwest.
GEN. GUSTS LEE.
A Man Afraid to Face Woman But
Not Death.

Not Death.
Special to Charleston News and Courier.l
ALEXANDRIA, VA, Oct. 15.--Gen. "Runy"
Lee, candidate for Congress In this district,
is doing some quiet canvassing here, as
sisted by his older brother, Gen. Custis,
who is the most popular Of the Lee family.
Gen. Gusts could have been In Congress
himself long ago had he so wished, but
with bis studious tastes and retiring dis
position he preferred to follow In the foot
steps of his father as president Of Washing
ington and Lee University at Lexington,
Va. 1t will be remembered that once dur
ing the war, when Gen. Runy was captured
and about to be shot, Custis begged to take
his place, since Runy had wife and family,
while he himself was alone In the world.
Subsequent events rendered the sacrifice un'
necessary, but the proposition showed the
character of the older brother.
Indeed, throughout the war, notwith-
standing his quiet demeanor, Gen. Custls
was regarded as the bravest soldier In the
army OF Virginia. His exploits resembed
those of Gen. j, L. d. Stuart, but he had far
more GOODNESS than the great cavalry leader.
Since the war he has lived his quiet life,
loved by all the men who know him ana
an object Of curiosity to the women OF his
acquaintance. AS boy he was noted for
his shyness In the presence OF women. The
shyness grew with years, until when he laid
down his arms he seemed TO have acquired
a perfect terror Of the sex. While he can
converse fluently and at times brilliantly
with men, he is almost dumb II a woman Is
in sight, especially II she is young. He
would face cannon any time rather than
woman. Friends Of his tell many good
story Of his embarrassment when crcum-
stances brought him into tete-a.tete with
one OF the other sex, and many OF these
same friends have purposely brought about
these tete-a.tetes just to enjoy theconfuson
Of the general. They say that when placed
in such situation he grows red In the
face, breathes painfully, starts a sentence
and comes TO dead standstill In the mid
die OF 1t, and acts generally like an idiot
OF high degree.
1t is said that he is no longer on speak
ing terms with his cousin, Gov. Eitzhugh
Lee, on account of a little trick which the
latter played on him. The governor, as Is
well known, Is lady's man of the most ap-
proved pattern, and at no timo at more
ease than when In their company. Well,
for years he has been urging Custls TO go
into society and hunt up nice wife. Gus
tis regarded the proposition with horror.
Finally, about two years ago, litZhugh In.
vited his cousin to meet him at Ravens
wood, Fairfax county. As was his custom
u
visitors at the house. Receiving Il mega
tive answer, he came on, was met by Fitz
In Alexandria aud driven out to Rlyens-
wood. Custis's attention was kept closely
engaged till they came up the avenue
toward the mansion, when he beheld with
horror six or ssven OF the prettiest OF Fair
fax girls seated on the yerauda. twas too
late to fee. The buggy was already In
front of the bevy. Custis descended with
an agonizing look at HIS cousin, but the lat.
ter only smiled benignly as he drove off to
the stables, eXclaiming; "Girls, take care OF
Cousin Custis until | put the horses away. lie
Is terrible ilirt, so watch out for him.
One Of the girls, speaking OF the occasion
afterward, said "Gen. Custis stumbled
up the steps blushing furlouslY, and,
dropping into a seat with the rapldty OF q
cannon ball, glanced furtively about,
crossed and recrossed his legs several
times, played with his fingers, and actually
began to sweat We had all agreed 10
feign bashfulness and make him take up
and sustain the conversation, 80 we said
not word, but looked at him anxously,
as II expecting him to open the conversa-
| tlon. And what do you think was his
opening speechY 1t was the most laugh
face he blurted out You are all pretty
girls and then wiped his forehead vigor-
ously. At this point one OF the girls in
quired pathetically 'You are not such
| hig hiTt us Gen. Fitz says, are you Mamma
told me to keep away from iirts'
ga nirt = exclaimed the general. 'Why,
Gou bless me, Pm not a-but Fitz said that,
didn't heY | want to see Flt2. Where is
Fitz9 Excuse me, ladies, must find him.
and away he went. Next morning, before
We rose, he had left Iayenswood, leaving