The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-10
HE KNEW THAT VOICE.


How General Alfred PIeasanton Closed
Braggsrt's Loud Mouth.
When the death of General Albert Pleas
anton was announced, great many per-
sons thought 1t was his brother, General
Alfred Pleasanton, whom the Comte dc
Paris once characterized as being n great
er soldier than the Black Prince, who was
gone, said an old newspaper man. The
event, however, had the effect of bringing
General Alfred Pleasanton into promi-
nenoe that he has for long time desired
20 be free from. Up to four or five years
ago Alfred Pleasanton was one of the
most prominent persons In Washington
i don't suppose any one ever saw him on
the street before 3 o'clock In the after
noon during the many years he lived here
and before he became the recluse no now
Is, but 10 was always easy to run across
him In the wee small hours In some one
of the resorts which kept open very late
or all night. This was particularly the
case in regard to Charlie Godfroy's old
place. General Pleasanton could be found
either there or at Chamberlin's almost in
variably at midnight or thereabouts. A
fine old gentleman no was too, and IL was
worth staying up several times over to
meet him with pleasant coterie, telling
stories and exchanging "reminiscences.
knew him well in his best days, and
more genial, loyable and just man never
met.
The struggle In which he took such
prominent part left no rancor and bitter
ness with him, and remember thrilling
incident that illustrates his fairness that
occurred early one morning Mt John Cham
berlin's place when IL was situated in the
former home of the old Washington club,
where the Young Mems Christian associa-
ton now Is. General Pleasanton was one
of the party In which were dear and dead
Ramsdell, Ex-Governor Tom Young of
Ohio and General A. G. Jones, who had
just been appointed consul To Nagasaki
and was going to leave for his post next
day. There were two or three others, in
Guiding myself. At another table were
three strangers, one of whom was revil-
ing the attitude of the south during tho
war. His conversation was evidently as
annoying To MS friends as it was to us
and became particularly obnoxious when
he attacked the courage OF southern sol
diers. never heard such bloody shirt
harangue even on the stump. While the
fellow was talking noticed thae Pleasan-
ton was wrapped in a deep study and evil
ucItly uluCH peTplcAtu. Duuucnly nc
frightened up, and rising from his seat,
with his slight figure trembling with
anger and his eyes flashing dangerously,
he walked over TO the other table and tap
ped the south hater on the shoulder.
"Do you know mei" he demanded
sharply.
The man looked up and started slightly,
but replied that he did not.
"Well / know you, >" hissed Pleasanton.
81 had you drummed out of my camp just
before Antietam for abjcct cowardice, and
I'm id sorry now that didn't have
you hanged. Do you know me nowi I'm
Alfred Pleasanton.
The man turned white and red under
the old generals whitening glance.
"Get out of this place, " continued Pleas
anton meaningly. "You are neither a fit
associate for gentlemen nor proper per-
son to remain under the same roof with
them, so get out of here at once"
The fellow saw that he was in danger,
especially from his two companions, who
were livid with rage, and preferring the
door to the window he skunk out like
whipped cur.
II knew the scoundrel's voice tho mo-
ment heard It, said Plcasanton when
his wonderful memory was commented
on, and he was about to tell the story Of
the fellows cowardice in the army when
something interrupted, and we never heard
it.-Washington Star.