The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-13

A rich man was at the service and in
vited Writ home with him to dinner The
invitation was accepted and Writ met the
rich mans lovely daughter. He lost his
heart to her and afterward sued for her
hand. She was aware of his profiigacy
| and answered his request thus:
Can you quit drinking?'
For you l can, said Writ.
We'll, them" answered the girl, prove
your words by remaining sober for two
years. At the expiration of that time, if
you have not failed, l shall be happy to
become your wife"
Writ accepted the proposition, vlndlcat-
ed his manhood and married the girl.
The author of the British Spy" ne
came one of the best citizens of CuIpep-
per Court House and was widely esteemed.
Years afterward, when Col. Thompson
was Secretary of the Navy, he needed
clerk in his office. Among the applicants
was tall young man with a modest man.
ner and a prepossessing face.
what is your name?' asked Col Thomp-
son.
my name is Writ"
Writ? Where from?'
Virginia"
What was your fathers name?"
William"
"of Culpepper Court House?"
Yes, sir
why, my boy, your father and my
hoAiACA WIAG OlQ-litlt lIitnQS. IL WHlldW
Writ was good enough for my father
think his son will be good enough for me-
l appoint you to the place."
During Jackson's administration Mai
Broadus, Col. Thompson's grandfather was
paymaster at Harper's Ferry. The major
was an austere man and handled those
about him without any barney. As a con-
sequence he made enemies, and when Jack
son was elected an effort was put on foot
a bit of gray in the dawn of the spoils sys-
tem-to have the paymaster ousted. The
latter's politics was not made the basis of
the complaint 1t was charged that his
harshness untitled him for the position he
held.
who is this Maj Broadus?" Jackson in
CURED 81 will look him up and let you
know"
The President made his inquiries and
subsequently was-ealled upon by commit
tee of the majors enemies. "Oid Hick-
ory's" response to them was as follows;
81 cannot turn Maj. Broadus out, gentle
men, He was a gallant officer of the rev.
olution with Gen. Washington, and has
right to cuss whoever he pleases.
Old Gen. Stevens, survivor or the
revolution, had a beautiful home in Gull
pepper Court House His house faced on
one of the main streets of the town. At
the side. on a street less frequenteth was
a uncovered porch where Gen. Stevens
USED TO SlI on dLlcEnOOliH dllO
drink toddy When any special friend
came by the general invited him in to
have some today, and as a consequence
his special friends were observed to pass
that way very frequently. <
The boys of Culpepper Court House,
among them Col Thompson, we're always
welcome after school in Gen. Stevens
side street. He was fond of drilling them
in the military tactics Of the period. en-
Dhasizing his commands with long paw
paw stick. ff
The generals method of dispensing the
| boys when he tired of them was anus
| ing. During the revolution he had led an
army of Virginians against the British
| at Camden, S. c.. and his soldiers had
| completely disgraced him and the state
| by running away To be sure the same
Virginians, under the same commander,
| afterward covered themselves with glory
| at Kings mountain, but Gen. Stevens
never forgot the South Carolina incident.
| And so, when dispensing his boy soldiers,
| he would dance about among them -four
| ishing his pawpaw stick and exclaiming:
run, you d. little scoundrels; run
| like your daddies did at Camden
Col. Thompson remembers Gen. La
| fayette perfectly. He saw the great
Frenchman a number Of times and recalls
circumstantially his review of the revo-
| lutionary officers and soldiers at Culpepper
stood ON the porch of a tavern opposite
the spot occupied by Lafayette as the
army passed in front of him.
An affecting incident occurred at this
review, witnessed by Col. Thompson. Az
the battle of Brandywine, Gen. Lafavetta
had been shot through the thigh and old
Billy Poster a private in the revolution
had picked the wounded general IN and
carried him to the surgeons quarters
saving his life. Old Billy had often told
the story TO his friends at Culpepper
Court House, but they were skeptical and
ne knew It, So, on the day Of the review.
he declared that he would show them thai
he was truthful man.
Col Gibson was introducing the men az
they passed by Gen. Lafayette bat old
Billy Foster had instructed that the gem
eral be left to recognize him. Accordingly
when Old Billy stood before the French
commander Col. Gibson was silent and
the two men looked into each Others
eyes There was no sign OF recognition IN
the generals face. Finally Old BHly-he
could never talk without suffering. and
he was somewhat nervous on this occa-
sion-sald to the Frenchman:
"w-w-why e-g-general. d-d-don't you
k-k-know me?"
Lafayette contracted his brows for a
moment as he gazed into Old Biily's face
Then, with the politeness Of his country
he replied:
mo, sir; do not recognize you; once
knew you very we'll, no doubt, but time
and circumstances have effaced your
countenance from my memory"
Old Billy FASTENED 70 rejoin:
"'H-h-have y-y-you f-forgotten B-B-B-
B-Brandywine?"
The last word illuminated the generals
mind. In a moment he and the private
had their arms around each others necka
and Old Bnly's veracity was ylndlcatcd.