Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-22
LONG TIME BETWEEN DRINKS.

Vance on the Interview Between the Gov
ernors of North and South Carolina.
From the Raleigh IN. c. News and Observer.
In the olden times Of our statehood, before
the steam engine bullied the earth with thun-
derous stroke and reduced space to a mere mat
ter Of time, when whisky with sugar was i've
cents glass, and all backs were turned as that
glass was filed, and when a white man was con-
sidered rs good rs the negro, il he behaved him.
SELF the governor Of North Carolina took it
into his head one day to pay q long-promised
visit to his neignbor the governor of South
Carolina. So be put clean shirt and a pair Of
socks in his saddle-bag mounted his horse and
rode away through the pine forest toward the
south Diligently following his nose in this
direction. he came in due time to the home Of
his brother governor, where he was received
with all the honors Of genuine southern hospi-
tally. When asked how he felt his characteris-
tic reply was, "Thank you, governor. l am tired,
sleepy. hungry and sober" The latter cor
daily assured him that he could remedy all
these.
Next dav dinner was served at IL o'clock. as
the horn blew for the hands to come in. After
1t was over the two governors retired to the
shade Of the long back porch, where corncob
pipes. with long twists of homegrown tobacco,
awaited them.
There. in the long, soft afternoon, reclining
on easy bottom rockers, they iolled and smoked
and talked the hours away. Betwixt the twain.
on the floor, sat n br.mming pitcher Of apple
toddy, with the mellow. roasted fruit impudent-
~ floating on the surface Of the divine tipple.
From time to time this aided and enlivened
the conversation. They talked Of the compa ra-
tive excellences and advantages OF their res
pective states. Of the price Of cotton, Of horse
raising and runaway negroes: as they talked
n Nod tall thnv- Il II
They speculated on the coming glories of the
country, they pledged eternal friendship to
each other personally and vowed to preserve all
neighborly courtesies between the two Caro-
lima states forever and forever. amen! Now
and then they would doze in their easy chairs
under the mellow influence Of their happy sur
roundings. and on waking up Indignantly deny
having been asleep and take another drink to
prove their wakefulness. And thus things
went on.
Now. it happened that the governor OF South
Carolina had a wife-as all good governors
should have, on the principle OF the old maxim
that he who aspires to govern should first learn
10 ebey-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 that it was
time to stop. Watching her opportunity during
u rather protracted dose she slipped away the
pitcher. still half full. and inserted in it's place
piggin of cool spring water, with clear, yell
low gourd hanging on the handle. But the in
stincts of nature are infallible. Though sound
asleep the governor Of North Carolina felt that
something was wrong-a lack OF spirit as it
were-every nerve in him cried out against the
presence OF O hostile element, and he awoke.
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?'' "Don't you see what is
the natter" said the guest. looking indig
nansly Of the piggin and the gourd. Indeed.
see nothing wrong" said the now distressed
host. PLEASE tell me what is the matter my
dear governor" The devil you say! Nothing
wrong, indeed! I 60 to sleep with pitcher OF
toddy before me, l wake up and find a
pigSin OF spring water, and the governor
Of South Carolina tells me in his own
house that he sees nothing wrong in that. Well.
well. All have to say, sir" said the governor
Of North Carolina rising with very great but
rather unsteady dignity. lis that it is long
time between drinks" 'Oh, said the COVER
nor Of South Carolina. as the situation flashed
on him. II see; that's Betsy Jane She means
stop and we're done for the day. I'm sorry 1
can't bring that pitcher back. / humbly beg
your pardon, governor, but maybe there's a
Betsy Jane at your house and maybe you know
how it is yourself" The offended dignity Of
the governor OF North Carolina dissolved slowly
Auto Seuidi euiHc vi iitrllScllt
and solemnly winking one eye, he fell-either
upon the neck Of his host or upon the porch
floor, tradition does not say which enchanting,
You bet, old boy: you bet"
And that's how it came about, Throughout
all that southern land tradition has wickedly
repeated and kept alive the saying Of the gov
ernor of North Carolina a convenient n ode
Of jogging the memory or stimulating the
tagging hospitality 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 to q hundred years the saying has
been faithful one, snd worthy of all accepta-
ton in our country-that is to say. it has been
faithfully repeated oil that time and anything
offered in response thereto has been universally
accepted either straight or with sugar.
ZEBULoN B. VANCE.