The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-26
GENERAL WEYMOUTH.


Gen. Weymouth's lodgings in Irving place
We're neither spacious nor luxurious; but
they were chan acterized by soldierly neat
ness and order. There were two rooms one
facing on the street and the other cOmmu-
nlcatlng with it by small bathroom, on
the yard at the back of the house The walls
OF the former room were decorated with "a
Steel-engraved portrait of Gen. Grant and
another of Abraham Lincoln. There was
plain mahogany bookstand in one corner,
containing almost nothing but poetry and
theology, these being, apparently, the only
Kinds OF literature the General cared for.
In another corner was violoncello-a fine
instrument, though the General had insured
the silent or open hostility of every one of
his fellow-lodgers by his affection for and
practice with it; he was an early riser and
before breakfast was his chosen season for
extracting what he was pleased to consider
harmony from the strings of his overgrown
fiddle. The Generals habits were regular.
For an hour after breakfast he read the
oiogy; then he walked out, rain or shine,
for an hour or two more. Toilet operations
occupied him an hour more, and then he
went down TO the midday meal In the
afternoon he wrote letters, if he had any to
write, or read poetry; half an hour before
dinner he took another short stroll After
dinner he went to the concert or opera; and
ONLNlO hS NCIO w LtCll lac bOOh dIlOOD5I uOSo
of theology. He slept soundly in a narrow
military cot, such as is used in camps he
snored faithfully all night long, and when
he awolle IN the morning the first object his
eyes rested upon was Autograph OF Bee
thoven, which hung over the foot of the
bed.
This was the daily routine of a man who
had fought with homer and distinction in
the civil war, and had for some years after
81
and political life. His retirement from the
world, whether voluntary or not, was at all
events endured with dignity, and even with
kind Of grave cheertulness; he made no
complaints, nor was he addicted to button
boiling people with tales of his former i'm
portance and present unappreciated desserts.
tie simply held his tongue, was courteous
and conslderate except in the matter of the
violoncellO), and minded nobodys business
but his own.
OF late, however, those who were familiar
with his ways had remarked change in him.
He frequently omitted his morning walk:
nor was his early natutlnal practice with
the cello as systematic and relentless as of
yore. His step would be heard pacing back
ward and forward in his room for hours at
a time, and at table he was silent and pre-
occupied beyond his won't. His landlady
became anxious and ventured to ask him
he replied that he was in perfect health. AS
he paid his rent in full on the ensuing quar-
ter day she came to the conclusion that his
troubles, if he had any, were no affairs of
hers and forebore to question him further.
He still went out every evening, but it was
noticed that he came home rather later than
usual.
One forenoon he informed her that he
should not be home to lunch, as h. had bust
fTxx 10 wa oh Z ord
ingly, but returned late in the afternoon
with a very gloomy brow and he did not
emerge again that day The day flowing
he appeared attired in his best clothes and
walked up the street with a measured and
resolute tread. Half an hour later he was
admitted to the reception room of the pop
ular singer, Miss Kittie Give.
Miss Give soon came ill.,, looking whole
some and cordial Her professional career
had certainly improved her appearance.
She carried herself better; her figure wa
fuller; the imperfections of her complexion
had disappeared. Then her expression was
intelligent and sympathetic, and you felt
there were reserves behind that could be
made available upon occasion; her smile
was kind and her laugh merry. As for her
voice it was revelation not only of melody
but of a deep and rich nature.
ut was good of you to come to me to-
day, Gen. Weymouth she said after the
first greetings. Il have been feeling out of
sorts all the morning. You always make
me feel better contented with myself and
things i'll general"
ii can understand the General replied,
that the pleasure you give me must be
something of pleasure to yourself. That
belongs to a generous and humane character
like yours. But design to try your good
nature further than usual to-day. wish to
81 cNt11a+hinO q hOnf 11lVSalf y
Then what you say cannot fail to be in
teresting. But let me tell you first that |
require no personal explanation at your
hands. l value your friendship and | re-
spect YOU without need Of any further war
rant for it than is given by what | see and
know of you. A woman depends more on
her intuitions than on any formal recon-
mendatiOnS, and my lntultlonS tell LAC that
you are to be trusted"
Il thank you, my child with all my heart"
said the General. "Well, your trust is so
far justified that | can say that my past life
has been far from dlshonorable reproach; |
have behaved as a soldier and gentleman
is bound to behave. But 1t was not vim
dlcation that | was about to attempt. What
| wish to say is prompted by the fact that
it has a bearing upon my-our mutual atti-
tude. 1t is necessary that you should know
it in order to be able to judge intelligently
submit to you"
"You make me curious in spite of myself.
Do let me hear"
81 have already spoken to you about my
former relations with the great financier,
Maxwell Golding," the General began. II
mentioned that there bad been suggestion
that | should be connected, ON terms very
favorable to myself, with the management
of a large enterprise. told you that | had
declined the position, but did not tell you
why | had done so, nor why, after that
event, my way of life became SO different
from what it had been before"
He paused and bent his eyes upon the fire,
pulling somewhat nervously at his gray
moustache. Kittie regal ded him thought
fully and sighed. He had been a handsome
and gallant youth thirty years ago, but time
and trouble had had their inevitable effect
upon him, as upon all men and women. Yet
he had always remained a gentleman and a
soldier. Must honor and sincerity forever
be the passports to unhappinessl and if so,
might there not be some justification for
defving these traditions and doing, upon
occasion. what seems right in ones own eyesf
II evil did not bear the stigma, would it be
evil stillf
sWhen came out Of the war" said the
General, ~ was thirty years old and had
a considerable fortune. | had received a
bullet through the upper part Of the body,
but the wound had healed and | felt as II /
had the better part of my life still before
me. NY family is of good origin and re-
pute and all doors were open TO me. Ihere