The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1898-01-30
THE MAJORS VISIT.
HOW A GENTLeMANLY CAPITALIST
STIRRED A PENNSYLVANIA TOWN.

He Was Unobtrusivc. but Had an Air
Abouu Him That Won Respect and At
tention-W When lie Went Away, There
Was Disappointment.
Late one spring evening in the middle
seventies stranger alightod from a pas
Ecngcr trnin that had just drawn ND to the
station of II Pennsylvania mountain town.
He was mt once bcsct by half dozen negro
hotel runners, the most cnterprising of
whom tool. possession of his hand satchci
before ne mad time to assent or dissent
because he was pleased with the negros
push or because no fancicd tho name of
tho hotel this porter represented the
stranger Gavo the man the check for his
trunk and put himself under his guidance.
AT the hotel tho stranger registered his
name iii plain, busincsslikc hand as
Major John II. of PHILADELPHIA. He
made his toilet, ate his supper, and, light
ing cigar, went out, as he remarked for
stroll about the town. Upon his return
an hour or so later he entered into CONVEX
sntion with tho landlord Major IT. an
pcared to take an interest in the banks of
the town, of which he said no had noticed
there were Il larger number. He inquired
us to their condition, and seemed pleased
w iitti tiitib llity WcrO All regarded
strong institutions, all under safe, con
sentative management. His interest, he
limited, was owing to tho probability thai
he would in the near future have occasion
10 deposit in ono OF them a largo sum of
money.
Bccoml0E moro communicative, the
major said no had heard that the morning
paper oil the toWn-a paper of rcputo and
lniiuencc-waS for salc, in settlement OF
an estate, and that he was strongly dispos-
cd to buy it,
The next morning all the town knew of
the presence of tho rich gentleman from
Philadelphia, who was going to buy tic
- -, and he was the object of much
respectful curiosity when he appeared on
the streets. In him the curious SAW IL man
above tho medium stature and bcyond
middle ngc, who dressed plainly, but with
great neatncss, and who in the fncc bore
resemblance to General Grant, II rescn-
blancc which was not lesscncd by the fact
that the major always had II cigar in his
mouth.
Tho first place tho major visited the
morning after his arrival was the Office OF
the newspaper that was for sale. He WAS
received there with much consideration,
and spent some hours inspecting he plant
and carefully going over the books. JIG
expressed satisfaction with what he had
seen and learned and intinatcd his will
ingness to liay Il certain sum in cash for
tho prorcr:y--a sum rather larger thar
tie management hoped TO receive, tl0u,h
not, OF course, rs large ~ that asked.
From the newspaper Office the major
was escorted toa ncighburing bank. where
his reception by the president was r:ost
cordial and ilGttclng. Seeing in The new.
.Il. e.
destined t. ho of much influence in the
community this wide awake l;ank officer
not only took great pleasure in making
him acquainted with the really excellent
condition OF the bnrk, but insisted on
driving hii,i out that afternoon to sec toe
natural beauties nj the region. which
seemed to charm the major That niuit
nothing would do but that the l:uior
should dine with him.
Tho nc&t day other prominent men G!
the town, who did not propose TO Jcinl;
the hank president to moroI0liac H.,
major, sought lin out, with the rcsii.;
that before noon liz WAS engaged to drive
out behind fast hCTscS every Afternoon.
ana 10 dino us tho guest of honor every
evening for u week. The major drove our.
ana tho major Ginci. His quiet and M
ostchSatious manner and lis Intelligent.
conservative conversation won fOy ii:n
golden opinions, ami in u short time lie
town was mad over the l.iujor. Mean
while Eo would drop into tho ncwsra;rr
Office every morning, where he was alrenGy
looked upon aa tho now proprietor. md
spread happiness about him by PLEASANT
words Of COMMUNICATION.
FINALLY one morning tho major an
nouncctl that he had definitely decided 10
buy tho paper and ordcrcd " lawyer 30
draw up ;hc legal documents and have
them ready ON a specified day the follow.