Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-06-14

that tho number OF gentlemen coming
to DO introduced was so groat as to om-
barrass his provisional staff. But this
persistent Confederate watched his OPP
portunity and made tho bost OF IT,
Coming up TO Colonel Nj when he
was little of his guard, he whis-
pored; "Take me up now; thero is no.
body being introduced at this mo-
ment,n
''But don't you SEQ that tho General
Is surrounded by group OF officers and
| congressman, md that IL won't do to
| break in upon their conversational"
But tho old soldier would not be
shaken of. So Colonel NJ thought
tho best way to end tho matter would
be to lead him up to tho General. and
thus in moment put stop to his por-
tinacy. Taking him, accordingly, by
tho arm, ho drew him forward. Tho
largo circle opened and allowed path
way, and the man was presented in due
form and received with us much cour-
tesy ms II he had been prince OF the
blood. Colonel M was about to
lead him instantly away, when no sud-
denly stepped into tho open space
wherc the group had made way for
him, and IN rather loud voice said;
General, | have always thought
that II j ever had the honor OF meeting
you face to face, and there was an op-
portunity allowed mo, | would like to
ask you question which nobody but
you can answer. i seem to have that
opportunity now. This is what l want
to know: What was the reason that you
failed to gain the victory at tho battle
of GottysburgP"
To have such an ill-timcd question
dropped like bomb-shcll in such
presence was, TO say the least OF IL, en-
barrassing, and some curt rejoinder
would have been natural and to tho
purpose; but General Lees kind-heart-
odnoss would not permit rude dis
missal even to so unwarrantable ques-
TONER Advancing and gently taking
him by the hand, while all the listening
group stood round amazed at the mans
presumption, the General quietly said:
''My dear sir, that would be long
story, and would require more time than
You see | can possibly command at
present; SO we will have to defer the
matter TO another OCCASION"
This same friend gave me an instance
of similar encounter that concerned
Mrs Lee, whose simplicity and kindli-
ness of heart rivaled that of her hus-
band.
The General and his wife were at the
Virginia White Sulphur Springs, occu-
pying one of the pretty cottages that
had been set apart for them. The
crowd of visitors was great, and every
body who had the least show for so do
ing was asking for introductions, for
the war had not long been over.
II encountered good-natured but
absurd man from the far South" said
Colonel NJ, "whose enthusiasm
for the Lee family was at fever heat.
His pompous way of talking was con-
slant amusement to me; and when he
asked that l should intrude upon the
gay group that always filled the piazza
of the Generals cottage and introduce
him, | naturally hositated somewhat,
fearing lest he should overpower them
by one of his magniloquent apostro-
phes He joined me one evening just
as we were passing the cottage door,
where n party of visitors were being
entertained by the General and his
wife. Now is your time he whis-
pered; and no forthwith drew mo to
the steps, whore. as in duty bound, /
presented him. Withdrawing little,
he assumed a Hamlet-liko pose, and
lifting his hand with most dramatic |
air he began:
"Do | behold the honored roof
that shelters the head OF him before |
whose name the luster of Napoleon's
palos into shadow? Do see the |
walls within which sits the most adored |
of mon? Dare | tread tho floor which |
she who is scion of the patriotic |
house OF the revercd Washington con-
desccnds to hallow with her presence? |
Is this the portico that trails its vines
over the noble pair =
81 stumbled back aghast," said Col
onel NJ, 'at my own blunder. as | |
listened to this ridiculous speech, which
| really believed was gotten up and
conned for the occasion. But was re-
lieved in moment when Mrs. Lee,
quietly laying down her knitting and
lntorrupting the rhetorical effort, with
n kind look upon her face, replied:
Yes, this is our cabin; will you take |
n seat upon the bench?'