Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-29
UNCLE BILLY'S VEST.
CAME NEAR NOT GETTING
1T FOR THE BANQUET.
An Incident I'm General john
ston's Lifc---ThOught He
Was on n Car.

A man is q being to be admired
soldier is one to be idolized. So say
some women with sentimental turns II
their natures, and, innately, SO feel mos
all members of the sterner sex. There
is no land in which the love OF soldier
for a soldier is greater than here In the
South. There is no country in which
the names and memories OF her great
warriors are more tenderly Cherished
than in ours. Ever since the surrender
of Lee at Appomattox recollections OF
the achievements Of that grand general
and of his comrades jackson, John
SION. Stuart, Longstreet, and others
have been sources Of the greatest pride
10 the southern people. Almost every
| imnortant incident in the lives OF these
heroes have been printed and read by
the world. There is one little event,
however, in which General Joseph T..
Johnston was connected that has never
been published that | intend to speak
OF.
Some years ago the attention of Colo
mel John Murphy, who was himself
gallant Confederate, was attracted 10 a
tall. erect, gray-haIred. haughty-looking
gentleman Of more than middle age SIT
ting opposite him in his hotel, at the
corner of Eighth and Broad streets.
The Colonel has the most profound re-
spect for those advanced in years, and 1t
can be truly said that he possesses feel
ing and sympathy for every wearer OF
both the Blue and Gray, with a pre-
Donderance of love for those who took
as their choice the latter color, IN the
late struggle between the States. In
view of these elements in the good ma
tured Colonels character it was but ma
tural that he, when the tall stranger APP
proached the register Tor something,
was extremely polite to his guest
and offered any comfort or at
tention. As the tall and sOldierly
figure neared the proprietor OF the
house the latter fixed upon him look
that was terrible in its inquisitiveness
All through the incidental conversation
between the two, Colonel Murphy main
tanned the questioning, half-surmislng
look upon his features. Finally the su-
perb-looking stranger, apparently deem
ing the conduct of his host impertinent,
threw his head back with q naughty and
lofty air and said:
well, sir, what is it 2
"Only," replied Colonel Murphy
"that | never saw such resemblance as
you bear to General Joseph f. John
ston-a man whom have always greatly
honored and loved.
"Who are you, sir 2" CURLY demanded
the guest, who was by that time the
centre OF interest OF quite little party
who were congregated in the hotel-otlice.
"John Murphy" responded the hotel
proprietor, with somewhat impetuous
toss of his head.
st these words the gray haired stranger
pointed to the register, and there. to the
Colonel's great astonishment and delight,
was written in a nervous and somewhat
illegible hand, "Joseph +. Johnston. "
The two men clasped hands, and they
were seen a few moments later walking
away arm-ln-arm.
A thing that is seldom seen in the
South occurred in Richmond last Sun
day afternoon. 1t was upon the occa-
sion OF the funeral at Leigh-Str Bap-
list church of the late City Auditor, Mr..
Miles Turpin. As a mark of respect to
the deceased, both branches OF the Coun-
Gil attended the obsequies and section
of seats were reserved in the central por-
tien Of the church for these bodies. As
the "city fathers proceeded down the
aisle the JacksonWard delegation at
tracted most attention. 1t was mostly
composed OF colored men, but these
wero no less sincere in the sorrow over
the loss of so faithful an official and
citizen as Mr.. Turpin than were their
white brethren who sat by their sides
throughout the services.
-
Yes, it is a common fact that the big
Democratic banquet was a success. 1t
was a feast to the eye and the mind-a
deluge of wit and wisdom to the intel
lect and an unspeakable gratifica-
ton to the appetite. All things passed
off as though some automatic machine
were working with clock.like system
every object in the room. But. alas !
how different might it have been how
different did it come near being. Every
thing at the Temple was making ready
for the grand occasion. Harvey was
adjusting the last rose to its proper po-
sition. Mitteldorfer had already hung
his final flag, and the feestoon-
ing was all complete. Zimmerman
had sixty-two walters getting into dress
suits the great pots were boiling and
the delicious viands cooking. The speak
ers, or some of them, were emerging
from the ante-room, where they had
rehearsed for the sixteenth time their
orations. But withsl a terrible fate was
lowering, which was barely averted.
Ex- Postmaster and Postmaster-elect Gull
lingworth had long centred his pride and
hopes in that banquet, and in the excite
ment OF the approaching event besought
his tailor and gave him an order for a
brand.new $50 dresssuit. The garment
maker was warned that the clothes
must be ready for the gallant
leader OF the Union Scouts to
wear to the dinner. The coat and
pants were ready IN plenty Of time, but
the vest--well, at 7 o'clock on the eve
ming it was not completed, and the BAN
quet was TO begin at &. Captain Gull
cheerful face had taken on
an air Of great disappointment and de-
lection, and he hardly knew what to do.
A gentleman passing the tailoring es-
Enlistment about dusk observed the
proprietor wringing his hands and the
employees in great turmoil and hurry.
The passer-by yentured to inquire what
the trouble was, when he received as a
reply "My God, that banquet will be
ruined if Billy Cullingworth has TO go
there without vest on" Captain
Billy. however, got the garment in
question, was one of the first to arrive
at the Temple, and the banquet was
saved. -
The average newspaper-man gives
very little credence to the stories he
hears, but one was told me day or two
ago which believe to be true. The mar
rative has been related by my informant
seveyal times in the presence of his
family and they did not manifest the |
same interest in IL that | did In fact |