The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-04

dirt and corduroy roads OF that day cut
~, hv numbcrless road wagons and other
c0nvfyances. In the evening Ben Poweh
v,,ula welcome YOU at his tavern In
t'artfrsviRc. who knew as well how 10
speed the parting as 10 welcome 'he
coming guest. At Balsville tavern Cen
jackson always spent the night when
travelling to Richmond. az MIR. bai
father. a noted racer. was a great iriehu
or "Cid Hickory Ballsvhe tavern was
the place where the militia muster took
place and the candidates for the Loelsia@
turc addressed the people. As character
istc OF those days. ] will tell a story Veri-
tahly true Of speaking which TOOK
place AT Ballsville sometime early In the
forties.
A Memorable Discussion.
Chastainc Cooke. the candidate or the
Whig party for the House OF Delegates,
was splendid specimen OF the virginia
gentleman OF that day. OF commanding
height fine presence, clean shaycn, with
his high military side whiskefs not hiding
his rudy checks. he spoke huenuy ana
forcibly. Col. Henry l.. Hopkins, the
Democratic candidate, lieutenant-goV-
ern0r az one time and q politician OF
state reputation. was an excellent ana
astutc popular speaker. Although he was
ter Of the old establishment his father
not able to keep tavern. was superintend-
emit OF the county poor farm, where ne
raised q large family. At some point IN
the campaign Hopkins rather insinuated
that Cooke had backed out of some pOlit
icai issue Drawing himself TO his fun
height. with an imperious gesture Cooke
replied. mo man who has couIsing
I'm his veins the blood OF = Cooke. an Eg-
..f.. Archer known
10 back out" Hopkins saw his opportuy-
nifty. and replied. 1t is true, feilow-ciu-
zcns. that / am not 50 fortunate as my
friend. and have not iG my veins any Of
the blue blood OF the old Virginia aristoc-
racy. / was n poor-house son. was born
I'm Grandland poor-house, and am the
youngest OF twenty boys The result
need not be told. one OF the twenty-five
boys was Judge Geo. w. Hopkins, Of Alb
ingdon He WAS circuit judge. a member
of the State Legislature and convention
and was United States minister TO the
Court of Lisbon.
In powhatan county. at The fork Of Il
road, where no& stands a private dwell
ing. once stood Holcomb Long ordinary.
the birthplace Of Hon. Ira T.. D0lcomb.
( professor OF law at the University Of Nir-
/ ginia. member of the secession convention
and OF the Confederate congress, scholar,
author and gentleman.
fypic,,. fnu Keeper.
Let mo. in concms ion. describe the oil
J Virginia tsycrn-kceTcr Of tie highest type
and keeper of his public house, which ne
made the equal. if rot superior, t. the old
English inns SO graphically described by
/ their authors of the past century.
lie was oftelcr than Otherwise born
with silver spoon i'm his mouth" ANA
! raised Us q gentleman without profession
/ or education. except q few sessions idly
! spent at William and Mary College. He
| KEPT open house. and prided himself upon
pis habit OF uuboundcd hospitality. Re
/ enjoyed the good things # this life with
/ AN the zest Of "a HorauO cp.cure. and
| was tho most expert of men in making
apple teddy, Roman punch. mixing the
/ contents OF n Brunswick stow, roasting
/ q damb or b1rbecuing q shOat. Trusting
! the management Of his Affairs h. Overscers
ana agents. his Iauimony soon melted
away. and then when the crash came
/ the important question, what SHALL I
do-how shall ! support my family" had
10 be settled. The idea OF Keeping a FIRST
class tavern, where he could and would
live as we'll as over before. suggested
Itself, an was icopted. Here I'm the new
arena, his fine and open manners. his
general acquaintance with prominent mon
DE had met with. his skill ia MANAGING
the kitchen and general coalition of the
tavern, came into most valuable re1lisj-
ton. His habits and manners remained.
Fond OF company, he Was an agreeable
and entertaining companion. lie lived
nearly as well as he did in his earlier
-ays. aid made lis guests enjoy them
selves. as II be were DISCERNING as Of old
a generous DC spitality But
Temporal mutantur
1T nos HnutaptIf in Ills"
WILLIAM POPE BApNEY.