Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-21
Father Tnbb.

CTor the Dispatch.)
Byron modesty says of himself that
he awoke one morning and found himself
famous. II would be ridiculous exas-
geration TO make this claim for Father
Tabo, but he entered the field Of letters
with a greeting so hearty that his readers
may be interested in the scanty par
ticulars Of his life that an old neighoor
can furnish. He is q son or the late
Thomas c. Tabb, Of Amelia, and the de-
scendant of a family noted alike for
wealth. social distinction. public spirit.
and munincent hospitality. Among the
families affiliated by blood or marriage
were the Gileses. Randolphs, Archers'
Barksdales, Bannisters. and Conways.
Among these. by a lineage too obscure 10
be traced, were Edmund Randolph. hfth
Acknowledgement Of the United states
and John Randolph, OF R0ahohe' VINO
never failed in passing to call at Gay
Hill, the old family seat father IapD
left Amelia while yet boy, ana DIS
reighbors knew little OF his subsequent
career until the war. He was distn-
a1ilshed among his schoolmates for vlvac-
i,v readiness Of apprehension, ana an
inyeterats prpcliWty TO all that Is con-
yevel by the comprehensive word mis-
chief. When the war came on MS patrlotIc
enthusiasm elowed with feryent heat, Dut
much to his disappointment he FOUND tnat
his youth operated as an enectuai par W
his aspirations for high martlal achie'e-
ment. Nevertheless, he perslsteh'Iy at
tached himself, in the capacity ol ~
lance, TO the cavalry regiment comma ~, 81
by his brother, the gallant Colonel WIZ
4, upI taking To ulHlStll
! Caesars motto OF aut viam inveniam aut
| faciam. he never lacked opportunity Oh
satisfying his craving for exciting adVeh-
ture. Vigilant active. and daring on the
picked line, his gayety or spirit hesel
mounted higher than when scouting on MS
hook beyond the lines. lie would oltet
return from these scamper'ng rides soliet
| and bedraggled to meet a sharp reprlniahu
| from his brother. which Johnny came -
regard as merely continuance 0i 'ne
| great fun he had enjoyed.
Little thought Johnny OF the pitcher tha'
went once too often to the well.
or did he foresee that the dis-
| astr0Is closure OF his military
career would illustrate the fate OF
| that HELPLESS utensil. He was captured
| and his ingenium perferridum allowed 10
simmer down In a Yankee prison, where
| the silver lining TO his muFKy
| cloud appeared in the shape OF
| Sidney Lanler the southern poet. To-
warts the close OF the war one or my
| friei Dis. boarding the blockade runner H.
e. Lee. found as much TO his delight as
surprise Johnny apparently In the enjoy
ment OF the freedom Of the ship as guest
| of Captain John Wilkinson, Confederate
| states navy. The voyage TO ana from
bermuda was uneventful. Favoring wind
4
within the ''oaken walls of the gallant
craft, all the comfort and social ENJOY
| ment of the home Preside were Frightened
| by the lively sallies, the quips and cranks
and irrepressibe good humor or the junior
passenger. The young gentiemans spright'
illness and droll faculty OF impersonation
| infected one OF the voyagers with a
| species of infatuation. This was
| noticed by Mr.. Flcklin. rich
contractor, who. particularly struck
| with his young friends readiness with
| the pencil and strong musical bias, prevail
| ed on him TO accompany him TO Baltimore
and place himself under the instruction 81
| the best teachers I'm those arts. But tnis
| ARRANGEMENT seems to have been OF shor'
continuance. a state Of quasi dependence
proving to be not at all In accordance witt
a nature so mercurlal and impulsive
Years afterwards a lady sitting at win
dow overlooking the grounds attached K
| the Catholic Seminary at Georgetown saw
the black, stoled priests file out and pace
| solemnly along the pleasant walks will
eyes that sought the ground" a momen
tary upward glance discovered-Johnny
She could not have been more surprised
| IL she had detected Bishop Johns leading
the german and indulging In all fantastic
capers. and inane grimaees OF a veritabls
idol of society," But a closer study Of thu
peculiar temperament OF this versatil.
genius would have left little ground FOL
wonder at this strange revelation. for un
DERIVING this specious show Of brightness
| and sunshine was the shadow Of serious
ness deepening 10 melancholy and pro
foundly emotional sentiment Of religious
| veneration. ]. II. >.