The sun., 1894-11-11
REroRrEp MN TO snEnmAN.
It was Rather Late, but the Union General
Was Pleased.


When the National Convention Of Lawyers me-
In the West some years ago. Mr. Du Bignon wa,
| sent to represent Georgia. his native state. BE
ing one Of the rising young men Of his region
| he was also invited to respond 10 the toast
| THE Young Manhood of the South" ut the
large banquet to DC given.
The young lawyer prepared his reply with
care, feeling he had done his best. which was all
the bar could expect of him. His toast was the
tenth in line, and the toastmaster had pro.
nounced in distinct tones the title Of the toast,
and added that Mr.. Fleming Du D!guon OF
Georgia would reply.
The lawyer rose slowly to his feet. glanci ng as
he did so down the long double line Of expectant,
polite. upturned faces smiling at him, encourag.
ing him TO proceed.
Ills piece" was all clearly in mind; he re-
mem bered every planned gesture, every turn
and point" he proposed 70 make
"Gehtlcmen OF the bar" he began, -"
ana sFSSe IN n9s
was echoed sll down the table, which saw doz-
ems of men stand TO their feet to greet the great
soldier-law as he entered the room.
Gen. sherman had promised to attend this
Convention, but had been detained by other en-
gagements until this la,e hour, and his advent
was hailed with burst of welcome as he ad-
vanced down to his vacant chair. Every one
was shaking hands with him, creating quite a
When it, finally subsidized the postmaster
turned again to the young Georgian and said:
"will Mr.. Du Bignon now proceed with the
tonst, The Young Manhood OF the south y"
Tho Georgian sat for all instant dazed. He
was young and the excitement breaking into his
speech had . iloored" him.
What was he going to do? What was he going
to sayY Every line of his prepared speech had
had deserted him. TO stand there a con-
the toast that involved all' his patriotism,
when that speech was, intcnded to show
could do and bel 1t was hunliliating; it was
Of time SEss tel" @ IT, o' Giiy III iRroas6 sRnFR
his brain like lightning. and even during the
latter part OF these thoughts he was rising me-
He stood still second and saw Gen. Sher-
mans face looking at him with interest. The
was thinking, Poor fellow, he doesn't know
whit to say"
IN a quiet tone. in which, however, he felt
"Gcntlemen, am confounded The advent
of so noted warrior as Gen. sherman has mado
me forget every word of my speech"-tho men
all looked anxious and Interested" but think
you can scarcely wonder at my confusion.
man following them that 1t is enough to Gimply
paralyzc any one of them to be asked to follow
the General" There was pause for an instant
over the young fellows audscity. and then the
room rang with appreciatve applause of his ex-
Men leaned over their plates and Immediately
fixed themselves into attitudes of interest. They
at once perceived that at least an original young
Mr.. Du BignOn felt the personal ma asnetism he
had excited reflect ON himself. and continued
with more assurance
He said that he would tell story about tho
young manhood of the South. tho very young
manhood. including his first impressions OF Gen.
Sherman.
The time was the civil war; the place Mil
ledgeville, Ga. IL was only II little shaver" he
started, staying at home, taking care of my
mother and younger brother. Ali the mer. had
gone TO the war. The cry started early in the
morning. Sherman is coming" 1t increased
from whisper 10 "a frightened shout The old
negroes who were at home left the field and
plough and gathered in their cabins, exactly as
IL 1t had been said. The Judgment day is
coming! People stood irresolute in the street,
not knowing what to do, or whether it was
best to go anywhere.
And later on he came. Soldiers and horses,
they began 10 fill the town and the peoples
houses. and fear was the prevailing element.
Il insisted that my Shetland pony and my
brothers pet rooster must be- saved. My mother
equally insisted that was to stay in the house,
for il not the soldiers would carry me away. |
was made "a prisoner, but owned a window. and
when saw one of the soldiers 20 under our
house and catch the rooster and wiring Its neck
was certain that my pony would go next. So,
jumping out OF the window. ran to the soldier,
and, doubling up my fist, cried: Dog gone You,
you old Yankee II you take that pony I'll report
you to Gen. sherman" He stopped for an in
stant and then continued courteously: "Gen-
eral, he did take my pony. and this is my first
opportunity 10 report TO you"
MIR. Du Bignon of Georgia won the day. Men
cheered him he took his seat for his clever
ness, and Gen. Sherman jumped up and said
- VIII some one present me TO the young rebel2"