Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-21
BLACKsBURG BUDGET.
pro.pectiye Summer SojOurners-
Gen. Lce-War story.

.
Gen, Lce-War story.
HI,ACKSBURG. VA, April O.-(Spe-
cial REV. DR.. II. ii. Fleming, OF Lynch
burg, was In town, as the guest OF MI
Holiday. Dr. Fleming is so highly pleased
with Blacksburg that he Will bring MS
family here and spend a portion OK the
summer.
BY the way. the family Of First-Lieu-
tenant John T. knight will also summer
here. and he, too. will be with US
great deal off and on.
Miss Waterman. of Roanoke, was guest
during a portion of the week OF DR..
and Mrs. Kent Black.
Grand-Mastcr Grmstead. OF Lexington,
was also recently in town, the occasion
of his visit being the establishment or
lodge OF Odd-Fellows. a lodge OF ffty
members was organized.
on next Saturday night some OF the
maior-lIghts OF the knights OF Pythias
will be here, and lodge OF that order
will be inaugurated. About twenty candi-
dates will be admitted. and from twenty
10 thirty members OF the Roanoke lodge
will be on hand TO see the matter well
done.
We have had frost two mornings this
week. and Oh Thursday morning there
was some ice in shallow vessels, but, for
tunately. no damage was done to plant
life, or very little.
BASEBALL.
The games on the 18th and 18th between
Randolph Macon Academy and the home
team were we'll attended and greatly en-
joyed. The Randoiph-Macon Academy
BOYS arc a fine set OF fellows, but they
were but infants in the hands or our
team, which Is now getting down to fine
ball-playng. They have won three games
this season. and have been beaten only
by the Roanoke league team. which was
10 be expected. a game was scheduled
for to-day with Allegheny Institute. but
after the drubbing we gave Roanoke Col
legc and Randolph-Macon. thex deemed
II advisable not to play, and so have
cancelled the engagement. The lovers or
the sport viii see far more racy game,
however between the senior class and
the faculty.
The appointment OF General Fitzhugh
Lee TO the oftce made vacant by the Ia
mented death of Captain Hamilton Shep-
perd was a surprising but very gratifying
piece OF news. Montgomery had candi-
date. in the person of Mr.. Hugh G. Pres
ton, and she would have been delighted
10 have seen him appointed, but all re-
cognlze that the President could not have
acted more wisely or httingly than In
selecting General Lee.
Mr.. William G.. Evans, ex-Mayor OF
Roanoke. who has been in Florida for
his health, was seen on our streets on
Wednesday. Mr.. Evans is native OF
Blacksburg, and is always 4 welcome
visitor TO many old friends and relatives.
Captain Stockton Heth has returned
from Washington with his family, and is
now in Radford. / suppose that they VIII
soon be coming TO white Thorn 1t Is
beautiful enough In Its spring garment
to entice any one.
Miss Robbins. a sister OF Mrs. Ran
doph, and a prime favorite here with
young and old has been spending the
winter in Maryland. Much 10 the de-
light or all, and especially the cads,
she returned this week. bringing with
her a niece.
A READING.
Tonight our cadets will enjoy n read
Ing and recitation by Mr.. Willoughby
Reade, who has acquired some reputa-
ton as a reader. lie taught class
in elocution in the college last spring.
and became very popular with the stu
dents, one and all of whom will be glad
to see him among Us again.
Invitations to the Easter german have
been issued This german is given under
the auspices OF the college German Club,
and will take place on Friday night, the
18th.
Great interest Is being manifested al
over the county in the good-roads meet
ing to take place on Tuesday court day.,
the 23d. Judge Pierce has kindly con-
scented to grant the meeting the use or
the courtroom for the whole afternoon.
AMI will himself address the ineatlnS on
this important subject.
A WAR STORY.
On the road between here aud Chris
tlansburg about one third of the way.
stands a gnarled and much-bent old
chestnut tree. Years have left their
marks up it. and it seems 10 have about
served the purpose for which nature In
tended it. The old tree is, however. OF
peculiar interest. 1t has other marks
than those OF age. and was made TO sub
serve a purpose Of which nature lie ret
dream. The story is as follows
In the early part of the war between
the States young country lad, rejoicing
in the name OF Moses. concluded thar
he would like to join the Confederate
army. As his parents objected he final
ly accomplished his purpose by running
OFF. AS John was bright lad he soon
learned 10 write a very good hand, and
was used by his captain as a clerk. and
made himself very useful In this capa>
city. BY degrees he came TO do all OF
the officers writing, even sometimes
signing unmportant papers for him
Eventually war lost its charm and h,
wished TO return home. But 1t was not
so easy TO run away from the army as
IL had been to run away from home. He
invented excuse after excuse. but all
were OF no avail. Finally he took mat
tiers in his own hands. wrote himself a
pass through the lines. signed his supe-
riors name. and walked off. After some
experiences he reached home. He had
not, however. been long in the enjoymen;
OF its sweets when the patrolling officers
came for him. Finally matters became
too warm. and John was forced to brins
his ingenuity into play. and here /,
where the old tree comes In. He sought
out this old tree which was hollow, anu
which had. moreover. large, hollow
root, procured q fine saw. cut for himself
a dcor-so nicely done that II required
close scrutiny TO see an abrasure OF the
bark-swung II on hinges. attached a chain
TO the inside. and provided himself
with a blanket or two and some provi-
sions. His house was At the foot OF the
mountain. about one half mile away.
As soon as he knew the officers were
coming he would run fer his tree, draw
In his chain. fasten II to staple on the
inside. and, VOLTA, he was In his fort. Very
often the officers were close upon him,
and II was a close cali. Often has he
heard them rest their guns against the
- scoundrel right here. Now. where
In her The hollow root gave him room
70 stretch out and sleep. and an opening
above aupplled him vftA air He kant