The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-06

How tho Confederate Exile FILLED HIS
pur.c when lie Was Penniiess.


During the closing days OF the civil war
q detachment OF Federal cavalry rode
into the picturesque town Of Washington
Ga and within a few moments AFTER inc
arrival OF the newcomers their commanu-
er stood at the front door OF a large Old
fashioned mansion. The visitors mission
was soon made known. He desired 10
see Gen. Robert Toomhs. and, IN lac''
was SC anxious TO see him that ne WIS
willing to put himself TO no end OF uou-
BILE to meet him. The cavalry captain
went in-found that the owner OF the
house was not at home. which statement
was halfway true. because AT that very
instant Gen Toomhs was making ms way
10 the garden gate where he han q swift
horse i'm readiness for him. inc Con
Tolerate leader lost no time In mounting
his stecd. and before anothcr hour ne
was many miles away IN a part OF inc
country which had not then been Nisi'eu
by the invaders.
For DAYS the eray-coatcd fugitive
travelled. exercising the utmost Vigiianc"
and spending his nights with tho most
trustworthy friends OF the lost cause.
FINALLY when the coast was clear. nc
made his way TO cuba and spent Few
weeks with the sympathizcrs of the CON
federacv I'm Havana. There were reasons,
however. why the General should not re-
turn homo AZ that time. and he was not
long in making his arrangements TO take
steamer for Europe
When he landed nj Liverpool Gen.
Toonbs was short OF funds. Tie had sent
n message 10 his wife from Cuba. but did
MOI know whether she would receive II
or whether she would be able 10 raj q
any money for him. re was In an ON
.barrassing fix. a stranger in strange
land. with only few dollars. he did not
know which way 10 turn With his royal
disregard OF money ne invested I'm first
class ticket 10 London ana boarded the
train with les than e. ln his pocket
What 10 do when be reached tho metro
polls was the question. The Confedcracy
had collapsed. and its few friends I'm En-
gland were not likely 10 bc Ina condition
to aid the refugee even il they should feel
so disposed.
The solitary passenger was studying
the situation when a new fellow traveller
came into his compartment AZ one Of the
way stations. Tho new arrival was a
London lawyer OF distinction. and n
glance satisfied him that the man sitting
opposite was Robert Toomhs. IN OK
member OF the Confederate Cabinet an
ox-Confcdcratc General. and famous
American lawyer. The Londcncr had seen
the others picture i'm the illustrated
papers and he had heard something Of
him on one Of his visits TO the United
States.
Excuse me" he said: but isn't this
Gen. TOombs of Georgia?"
The American responded with some sur
prise. hut in few moments the two We're
convcrsing with the freedom OF old
friends The Englishman was a man Of
tact. and there were many things in COM
mon between him ana the Georgian. In
the course of the conversation he brought
up a subject I'm which he was greatly in
tcrcsted-a case for some British claim
ants involving the title 70 large landed
interests in the Southwestern part OF the
United states. The pcnniless cX-confcd-
crate little knew Of the good fortune
awaiting him. lie simply knew that ne
had met a bright brother LAWYER. and
out Of the abundance of his intellectual
and professional resources ne entertained
him as he would a guest al his own fire
side Perhaps an hour had been spent in
talking over the case when the Londoncr
came down 10 business.
Gen. Toombs." he said. chow long will
you stop in London. and where can | see
your
II expect 20 stay several weeks" was
the answer "and my address win be the
Lancham'
Would Won mind coming into this case
as consulting counsel?'
"Not at all I am familiar with the
facts and the law
81 am sure of that" answered the
Britishor. Just wait n moment"
He drew writing materials from his
hand satchel. filled out check and hand
ed II to the General.
This is retainer" he said. at is the
way we do things in England. Day after
tomorrow ] Will call on you"
The Georgian glanced at the check. II
was for 5000, If he felt any surprise he
did not show H. He carelessly pockcted
the slip OF paper. and remarked that he
would be ready when needed.
The big London lawyer got out at the
next station. after again promising 10 see
the American IN the city two days later.
Toombs stopped at the Langham. and
during the week gave his attention to the
case which had come to him in the very
nick Of time Then he received another
check for s. 900 and ran over TO France
for visit.
In Paris the famous Confederate states
man. soldier. and lawyer was the lion OF
the hour Louis Napoleon sent for him
and consulted him upon various matters.
Among other things the Emperor asked
him what effect the establishment OF
Maxmilians empire would have upon the
American republic.
cit will never be established, was Inc
GeorGian's blunt reply.
'What-not with Confederate sym
pathv7" asked the Emperor.
There are no Confedcrates IN such n
case" was the answer. I'VE are all
Americans
The talk driftcd 20 the question OF re-
forcsting the south OF France. and Ma
poIeon asked Gen. TOombs TO visit mat
region and make suggestions In regard
10 the proposed work. The request was
complied with and a report was furnish
ed of so elaborate and complete nature
that the French Minister OF the Interior
offered 20 paw a handsome sum for II.
This was refused. as the General SAID
that the work was not In his line. but he
was prevailed upon to accept souvenir
OF considerable value from the Emperor
himself
shortly after this the exile yielded 70
the many urgent requests of his friends
ut home and returned % Georgia Per
haps no other Confederate who visited
Europe made a more brilliant reputation
IN so short a tlme.-Chicago Times-iier-
aid.