The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-02
coLoyIAL cHRIsTWAs EYE.
q Little Gathering Of Famous Men and
Women.

q Little Gathering Of Famous Men and
Women.
BY Virginia Cabell Gardner
ON Christmas eve I'm 1859 young man
was riding through the county of Han
over in His Maiesty's colony Of Virginia.
He was bound ultimately for William
and Mary College and huge saddle-bag,
containing books. clothing and other val
gables. danelcd at his horses sides. while
Tho horse of his negro servant who rode
100 tho rear was similarly accoutred.
They had ridden am day and now the
red sunset had grown duh behind them
and The twilight had decpened among The
scrub pines. which rose dark and solemn
ont OF TIC snow ON each side of the road,
with an air Cf triumphant serenity. I'm
summer these pines were insignificant.
ugly. commonplace. but winter was thei
season Of beauty. and they stood gllsten-
ing in shining array powdered and per-
fumod Ike gay courters.
The Young man who was riding silently
among them. thinking "the long. long
thoughts of youth had his beauty too
and that OF a very evident kind. His
fire figure looked wcll ON horseback and
though 70 was mu0 stainod from his long
ride q had certain air of distinction and
rom mani that matched well q face. hand
'ome and intellectual. a face whose later
aspects are familiar TO all or us. for the
young mans name was Thomas Jefferson.
Bv and hv they came ont from the
pines. and across the fields they heard
80 sound OF music which made the negro
say:
We 10 most OAR Mars Thomas. Dat
Is do banjo tum-tu0min' at de quarters
eyes ana that must be the house.
said the master. pointing with his riding
whip 10 a cluster OF trees among which
lights were twink'ng. and where there
was music. also. FOR just then q long.
sweet violin notes swept out into the
wintrv afr
Christmas do.n's Mars Tom" cried
out the ncrro boy ioyfully; and they
Qulckcnol their pace. and in few mo-
ments rode into am open gate and under
hare oak branches up 10 the door of Col
onel p1ndridres home whore Thomas
jefferson had been invited to spend the
Christmas holidays before entering coll
lepe
Welcome. welcome. my boy" was the
Colonel's hearty greeting. "Go straight
into the hall and Mrs Dandridse will give
YOU Some supper and I'm see that your
man and your horses arc looked after.
After Young jefferson had satisfied his
appetite and changed his dress ne was
shown 20 tho drawing-room, which was
n scene NJ oid-time rcvelry At the far
end. big oak logs elowed on the polished
brass hre-docs candles n branching cam
dlestcks OF silver lighted the room
bravoly and the portraits on tho walls
looked down from wrcaths Of Christmas
greenerv.
Young Virelnlans with powdered hair.
and In dne clothes that had lately been
bought through their London agents.
tested and made merry. while the older
ones discussed the price OF tobacco, or
talked exuitantly over The war with the
prcnch. Tor the world had not ceased -
ring with Woifs glorious victory az QUE
bee IN September. and his heroic death on
the battlefield.
The company was only an informal
Nitle gathering OF nccAbors and there
worc Datncys and Winstons and Symes
invited q, meet Colonel Dandridge's sis
ter. formerly Mrs Spotswood but more
recently the wife Of Mr. John Campbell.
a very horned and scientific man.
Among the guests stood young man
holding q violin I'm his hand. who present
ed a marked contrast 90 tho rest OF the
company. since his appearance was some
what awkward and ungainly and he was
carelosgly and almost shabbly dressed.
Yet Il wees no that was talking with
Mr. Campbell. ard ne was saying as
jefferson drew near:
yes sir j make 20 a rule 20 read my
translation Of Livy once every year and
never close 10 without feeling increased
admiration for the Roman people. They
we're a noble nation. sir. until pride and
luxury ruined them"
An Mr. Henry, talking OF The Romans,
ss usual but / want you 10 forget them
now and make the acquaintance OF this
Young gentleman. He is, Ike yourself,
voinry OF the violin, for heard BIN
PLAYING many times when visited his
father IN Aloemarle Mr.. Jefferson, let
m. Introduce you 70 my neighbor, Mr..
Patrick Henry"
The two gentlsmen declared, with state
~ old-ums courtesy. their pleasure In