The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-10-01
LONG TINE BETWEEN DRINKS.
The Incidents That Led Up to the
Famous Saying.
New York Sun.1

Every man in the United States is
supposed to know what the" Governor
of North Carolina said to the Governor
of South Carolina" but possibly some
do not know when and under what
circumstances the famous remark was
made. Nearly century ago a man
prominent in political affairs in North
Carolina moved across the border and
settled in South Carolina. He had
been there only short time when he
committed some small crime or misde-
meanor, for which he was indicted.
To escape arrest he returned to his old
home in North Carolina. In due
course Of time the Governor of South
Carolina issued his requistion on the
Governor of North Carolina for the
fugitive criminal.
The fugitive had rich and influential
friends in his native State, and they
interceded with the Governor until he
refused to grant the requistion. A
long official correspondence followed.
Prominent men in South Carolina told
the Governor that he had not been
treated with proper official courtesy by
the Governor of North Carolina. The
result was that the South Carolina
Governor, accompanied by large
party of friends and affidavits, journey
ed by stage all the way to Raleigh, the
capital of North Carolina, for a con.
ference with the Governor about the
matter of giving up the criminal.
The Governor of North Carolina,
with large party Of distinguished
friends, met the Governor of South
Carolina several miles from town and
escorted them to the Governors man.
sion with all the ceremony due such
distinguished visitors. Before the OBJ
ject of the visit was stated the entire
party sat down to an elaborate dinner.
After dinner wine was served and
after wine brandy-the applejack for
which the Old North State is famous.
After many rounds Of drinks the de-
canters and glasses were removed and
the Governor of South Carolina stated
the object of his visit. He demanded
the surrender of the fugitive criminal.
The Governor of North Carolina re-
fused. Then followed long and
heated discussion, in which the attor-
ney generals of the two States took an
active part.
Finally, the Governor of South Car
olina grew angry, and rising to his
feet, he said: "Sir, you have refused
my just demand and offended the dig
nifty of my office and my State. Unless
you at once surrender the prisoner l
will return to my capital, call out the
militia of the State and returning with
my army, will take the fugitive by
force Of arms. Governor, what do you
say?"
All eyes were turned to the Gov
ernor of North Carolina, and his an
swer was awaited with breathless in
terest. The Governor rose slowly to
his feet and beckoned to servant who
stood some distance away. His beck
oning was firm and dignihed, as be-
came his position. He was slow about
answering, and again the Governor of
South Carolina demanded: "What do
you say?"
al say, Goveanor, that it's long
time between drinks"
The reply restored good humor.
Decanters and glasses were brought
out again, and, while the visitors re-
manned, if any one attempted to refer
to the diplomatic object of the visit he
was cut short by the remark that it
was long time between drinks.
When the visiting Governor was
ready to return home he was escorted
to the State line by the Governor Of
Nsrth Carolina, and they parted the
best of friends.
The fugitive was never surrendered.