Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-16
sTATR BANKS.
WHEN THE GOVERNORS MET.
Senator Vance Describes the Interview OF
the Executives Of the CaroliDas.
Xn-

lNtN iOth lSioiN'J
In the olden times OF our statehood, be-
fore the steam-engine bullied the earth
with thunderous stroke and reduced space
to a mere matter of time. when sugar with
whiskey was cents a glass and all backs
were turned as that glass was filed,
and when a white man was considered as
good as the negro II he behaved
himself, the Governor of North Carolina
took it into his head one day 10 pay q
Compromised visit to his neighbor, the
Governor of South Carolina. So he put q
clean shirt and pair OF socks IN his sad
die bag mounted his horse, and rode away
through the pine forests toward the south.
Diligently following his nose in this direc-
ton he came in due time to the homo Of
his brother Governor. where he was re-
celyed with all the honors of genuine
southern hospitality. When asked how he
felt his characteristic reply was, Thank
you, Governor, am tired, sleepy. hungry,
and sober.n The host cordially assured
him that ne could remedy all these.
Next day dinner was served at II o'clock
as the horn blew for the hands to come ill.,
After it was over the two Governors re-
tired to the shade of the long back porch,
whore corncob pipes, with long twists OF
homegrown tobacco, awaited them.
There, IN the long, soft afternoon, re-
clining ON easy-bOttom rockers. they
lolled and smoked and talked the hours
away. Betwixt the twain on the floor sat
a trimming pitcher Of apple-toddy with
the mellow, roasted fruit Impudently
floating on the surface OF the divine tipple.
From time to time this aided and en-
hvened the conversation. They talked of
the comparative excellences and ad-
vantagcs of their respective States, OF the
price of cotton. of horse-racing. and runa-
way negroes; as they talked they smoked,
aud as they smoked they drank. They
speculated on the coming glorles OF the
country, they pledged eternal friendship
to each other personally, and vowed to
preserve all naighborly courtesiss between
the TWO Carolina States forever and for
ever, amen Now and then they would
doze in their easy chairs under the mellow
influence Of their happy surroundings and
on waking up would indignantly deny
having been asleep and take another drink
to prove their wakefulness. And thus
things went on.
HOW TIE TINE PASSED.
Now il happened that the Governor Of
South Carolina bad a wife-as all good
governors should have, on the principle
of the old maxim that he who aspires TO
govern should nrst learn TO obey and her
name was Betsy Jane. She well knew the
failing of her Governor and she easily
guessed that the visiting Governor
was tarred with the same stick.
Quietly watching proceedings she at
length concluded that these two old
cocks were about as full as they could
well hold without stopping over, and it
tunity during a rather protracted doze
sho slipped away the pitcher. still half
full, and inserted in its place q piggin of
cool spring water with clear yellow
Courd hanging on the handle. But the
instincts OF nature are infallible. Though
sound asleep. the Governor of North
Carolina felt that something was wrong
lack OF spirit as it were-every
nerve in him cried out against the
presence of hostile element. and
he swoke. HIS perturbed soul had
not deceived him. The pitcher of toddy
was gone. He Immediately awakened his
host, who courteously inquired. What is
the matter 2" Don't you see what is the
matterl" said the guest. looking indlg-
nantly at the piggin and tho gourd. In
deed, see nothing wrong" said the now
distressed host. "Pleass tell me what is
the matter. nv dear Governor" The
devil you say Nothing wrong indeed
l 90 to sleep with pitcher of toddy before
me, / wake up and find piggln of
spring water. and the Governor OF South
Carolina tells me in his own house that he
sees nothing wrong IN that! Well. well
AL l have to say, sir" said the Governor
of North Carolina. rising with . very great
but rather unsteady dignity, rs that II is
damned long time between drinks"
oh" said the Governor OF South Caro-
lima. as the situation flashed on him,
F" see; that's Betsy Jane. She means stop.
and we're done for to-day. Pm sorry can't
bring that pitcher back. humbly beg
your pardon, Governor. but may De there's
Betsy Jane at your house. and maybe
you know how it Is yourself" The Offend
ed dignity of the Governor of North Caro-
lima dissolved slowly into genial smile of
intelligent comprehension, and, solemnly
working one eye, he fell-either upon the
neck OF his host or upon the porch floor,
tradition does not say MISUNDERSTANDING
You bet, old boy; you bet"
LEADING UP TO 1T.
And that's how 1t came about I
Throughout all that southern land tredi-
ton has wickedly repeated aud kept alive
the saying OF the Governor OF North Caro-.
lima as convenient mode OF Jogging the
memory or stimulating the tagging hospi-
tally Of host. but has failed to embalm
in human memory the righteous prudence
and wifely virtues of Betsy Jane, the
spouse of the Governor of South Carolina.
For near on 70 hundred years the say
ing has beon a faithful one and worthy Of
all scceptation In our country--that Is to
say. it has been faithfully repeated all that
time, and anything offered IN response
thereto has been universally accepted,
either straight or with sugar.
zuuIox B. VANCE,
q q