The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-08

night. The writer remembers that in the
fan OF 1850. when stripping. he arrived
bv railroad in Richmond on his way TO
Hampden Sidney College, and spent the
night at the Old Columbian. The next
morning he was called up betimes for
breakfast and before the first peep of the
sun the stage. drawn by four spanking
bays ratified up TO the hotel TO receive
the registered passenger.
All day long we wendell our tedious
way. arriving in the night at Cumberland
Courthouse, tarrying few hours at the
excellent tavern there. and for many
years after. kept by that politest of land
lords. Captain Peter Foster.
Making an early start we arrived for
breakfast at Ralnes Tavern, FIVE miles
from Farmville, whence the stage-road
turned 10 the right for LynchbGrg.
Raines' was the most widely-known and
most frequented wayside tavern on the
road or in the State. The neighbornood
in the early days mad a name FOR the
misdeeds OF certain lawless people IN
consequence Of which John Randolph
| christened IL Crack Skull Common. the
reference probably being to the locali-
| ty for which Tony LumpNin coined the
name in Goldsmith's comedy OF "She
| Stops TO Conquer" Six miles distant
from this point is Bazaar, the residence
OF Richard Randolph. brother OF the
statesman Of Roanoke, and where
| the latter spent several years or
| his youth and early manhood. Between
| Cumberland Courthouse and Raines
Tavern was another inn Kept by MI. VII
liam Coupland. grandson OF Governor
| BENJAMIN Harrison. and nephew OF "Oid
! Tippecanoe." lie was one of the re-
! duced gentry Of whom ! have spoken
who had taken refuge from adverse fate
In the occupation OF inn-keeper.
no 9. 1nci- =. L., ON.
The Hon Francis s. Lyon, Of Demop-
OILS. Alabama, q member Of the federal
congress before the war, and afterwards
OF the Confederate Congress, gave to
| the writer the following incident from his
experience in staging through Virginia.
| on his way 10 Washington, just after the
election Of Harrison, in 1870. the stage
stepped for breakfast at Complaints raw
crn. Politics ran high, and at the break
| fast tabl. one of the passengers, an ar
dent Democrat, criticized the president
elect very severely disparaging not only
his mental capacity but mis- character
also The landlord manifested much
emotion, but said nothing. Breakfast
over. the stage resumed its journey. and
had proceeded about a mile when 1t was
halted by MIR COrpland who had taken
a by-path and now advancing and open
ing the staee-door demanded that the au-
ehOr Of aspersion upon the president
should come out and render satisfaction
for his Islander. General Harrison eX-
claimed he. is my uncle and an honora-
BILE gontlen an. While you We're my guest
/ forebOre 10 resent your insulting Ian
guage. But you are now no longer on
my premises. and / have come TO call
you TO account" The offending passen-
ger was profuse in his apologies; but It
was with difficulty that these and the re-
monstrances of the fellow passengers
could appease the Indignation of the
host, and rescue the culprit from his
rage.
The traditions OF the taverns on this
route are redolent Of racy anecdotes and
incidents. -Four miles beyond Coupiand S
Tavern was Captain Peter Fosters, al
Cumberland Courthouse. heretofore men,
toned. Mr. James Alfred Jones, whose
recent death has cast a Ghadow on many
hearts outside Of the circle Of his imme-
date friends in your city. told the writ
| er that MIR Calhoun and Mr.. Waddy
Thompson ere among his fellow-travel-
era in 1898. on his way from his home In
MtCklchburg. to the University Of Nlr-
einia. The stage stopped for change or
horse. at Cumberland Courthouse where
Judge William Daniel, grandfather Of
Senator Daniel. was at the time holding
court. This able judge one Of the most
distinguished characters the State has
produced. united some peculiaritics Of
temperament TO his vigorous intellect and
liberal learning. He was. like his gifted
descendant. an unfiinchirg Democrat 4;
and his bump OF cOmDativeness WAS
strongly developed. 1t was he who from
the bench laid down the dictum that
"the damned lie is equivalent to the
first blow on learning that these dis
u1guisted men were on the stage he
temporarily adjourned court to extend
% them his greetings,
With q manner Of dignity and indie
r,ncCcc which imported tina; he felt
himself the fun equal Of 9ny, even the
most eminent, he expressed TO Mr. Cal
hOun his satisfaction at his course in
! CONGRESS o. ms hope that he would
continue i'm the same honorable career
The impatient driver could wait no longer.
and slowly moved off bat the judge ir
the full flow Of his courteous C0ngratu-
lations. walked along, holding open the
door, for a hundred yards or more be-
fore he would consent to bring the inter
view 20 a close.
Mr.. Calhoun would, every now and then
| until Mr.. Jones destination AT Charlotte
willie was reached, advert with an amused
manner. bordering on merriment. 20 the
interview with the strong mindedA indie
pendent Virginia judge.
Another Incident.
But I must retrace the journey for
| another incident. In about two miles
from Cumberland Courthouse the road
10 Richmond, divorces TO lie rght from
the main route which leads on TO Wash
lneton crossing James river at the once
important tobacco mart, but row diapi-
dated borough Of Gainesville.
At this point OF divergence o. the roads,
there was an attractive .odl-.v aon,.
with vinc-embowered porch; AID in the
doorway stood the young husband a.d