The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-12-01

1
Toombs was short of funds. He had
,, sent message to his wife In Cuba, bu,
did not know whether she would re-
cetve 1t, or whether she would be able
to raise any money for him.
He was In an embarrassing fix. A
stranger in strange land, with only
o few dollars, he did not know which
| way to turn.
With his royal disregerd of money
he invested in first class ticket tC
London and boarded the train with
less than s5 in his pocket. What to
do whom he reached the metropolis
had collapsed, and It's few friends In
England were not likely to be- In con-
dition to aid the refugee, even IL they
should feel 80 disposed.
The solitary passenger was studying
the situation when q new travel.
or came into his compartment at one
of the way stations.
The new arrival was London
lawyer Of distinction, and q glance
satisfied him that the man sitting op.
posite was Robert Toombs, an ex-mem.
ber Of the Confederate cabinet, an ex-
Confederate general, and o famous Am
erican lawyer.
The Londoner had seen the others
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
surprise, but In a few moments the two
were conversing with the freedom OF
old friends. The Englishman was a
man OF tact, and there were many
things In common between him and
the Georgian. In tho course of the
conversation he brought up subject
in which he was greatly interested--a
case for some British claimants in
volving the title to large landed in
terests In the southwestern part of the
United States.
The penniless ex-Confederate little
knew Of the good fortune awaiting
him. He simply know that he had
met q bright brother lawyer, and out
OF an abundance OF his intellectual and
professional resources he entertained
him as he would q guest at his own
fireside.
Perhaps an hour had been spent In
talking over the case, when the Lon
doner came down to business.
Gen. Toombs," he said, "how long
Will you stop at London, and where can
l see youY"
81 expect to stay several weeks" +"
was the answer, and my address will
be the Langham."
Would you mind coming into this
case as consulting counsel p"
Not at all. l am familiar with the
facts and the law"
l am sure OF tha.," answered the
Britisher. "Just walt a minute"
He drew writing materials from his
hand sachel, filled out a check and
handed 1t to the general.
"This Is retainer" he said, at ia
the way we do things in England. Day
after tomorrow l will call on YOU"
The Georgian glanced at the check.
1t wa, for IS 900
If he felt any surprise he did not
show It, He carelessly pocketed the
slip OF paper, and remarked that he
would be ready when needed.
The big London lawyer got out at
the ne 1t station, after again promising
to see the American in the city two
days later.
Toombs stopped at the Langham,
and during the week gave his atten-
tion to the case which had come to
him In the very nick of time. Then
he received another check for SIS, 900
and ran over to France for visit.
In Paris the famous Confederate
statesman, 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 establish
ment OF Maximilian's empire would
have upon the American republic.
1t will never be established" WAS
the Georgian's blunt reply.
What-not with Confederate SYM
pathy ?" asked the emperor.
There are no Confederates in such
a csse," was the answer. "We are
all Americans"
The talk drifted to the question of
reforesting the south of France, and
Napoleon asked Gen. Toombs to visit
that region and make suggestions in
regard to the proposed work.
The request was complied with and
a report was furnished OF so elaborate
and complete a nature that the French
minister OF the interior offered to pay
q handsome sum for it. This was re-
fuse d, 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 to
the many urgent requests of his
lIiends at home and returned to Geor-
gia. Perhaps no other Confederate
who visited Europe made more bril-
liant reputation in 80 short time.
SUICIDE OF AN EDITOR.