The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-10-03
vENABLE AND ksRR-A RnmnNfs-
CENCE.

/ laTOl1na were TWO men OF Virginia
birth, both lawyers, both men Of grand
physique. both highly intellectual and
both born orators. We refer TO Abram
w. venable, of Granville, and John
Kerr, of CasweIl, both of whom served
in the United States house OF repre-
sentatives. They were among the very
foremost who eve appear
ed in state campaigns MIR. Venable
was beyond all question one of the
best informed men who ever figured in
| this state. He was educated at three
colleges, read medicine, was a distin-
guished lawyer n a superb theoreti-
cal farmer. Judge Kerr was a very
impressive, eloquent advocate at the
bar. AS a political speaker he was ar
dent, dashing, impressive. electrical.
The most eloquent speech we ever
heard was his speech at Oxford three
or four weeks after he was defeated for
governor. We were more intimate with
him than we ever were with a man
whose g was so much beyond our
own. We loved the man. He once told
US that Mr.. Venable was the most in
teresting and resourceful man he ever
spoke with. He said when he and
Venable were canvassing for congress
he soon found it would not do to fail
to listen to every speech his competi-
tor made, for he never followed the
same order, was constantly introducing
new points and fresh illustrations, and
seemed to. be inexhaustibIe in
Nov for an anecdote.
Venable was a far better canvasser
than Kerr. He had a of ex-
traordinary ~tenacity and his tact was
great. He knew the family history of
a great many people and often when
meeting a voter for the first time would
tell him about his father and grand
father. When he met farmers he talk
ed farming. When he met preachers
he talked theology and practical relig-
ion. When he met doctors he talked
of their profession and it's advance,
etc. He and Kerr had spoken at one
court house and both were going to
another to speak the econd day. Kerr
was travelling with a friend, a brother
lawyer, in the same buggy. At about
IL o'clock they stopped at a spring I'M
der a high hill and took lunch and
drinks. While they were refreshing
themselves, Venable drove up and stop
ped. He was pressed to get out and
take unch. He declined, saying he
had to go farther to dinner. He agreed
to take some refreshment," and then
drove on. AT the top of the hill there
was a farm house owned by Mr.. j..
Mr.. Venable stopped at the gate,
and with whip in hand to ward
off the dogs, advanced to the house. In
vain he knocked. He went towards
the kitchen and heard the sound of a
loom in another direction. Turning he
soon found the room and saw an elder
ly woman busily at work. He address,
ed her in his usual cordial but suave
way, and said that he would be glad
to obtain food for his horse and din
ner for himself. The white-haired
matron said that dinner was over, the
fire was out and she was really too busy
to stop to get dinner-that the negroes
were out at work and her husband was
with them. Mr.. Venable said his horse
was. tired and needed provender, and
he would be content with a few eggs
and bread. AS to her work he would
take her place at the loom, and promis-
very much. She arose, saying, Il will
90 and prepare something for you"
Soon after starting up the fire, her hus-
band appeared and asked what was the
matter. She told him. and pointing to
the horse, asked him to take him to
the stable and feed him. This was done,
and then the old farmer went to the
weaving room, hearing the noise of the
loom. He stopped in amazement at the
door, for Mr.. Venable was weaving
with rapidity. The farmer walked in
and saluted his guest, while scrutiniz-
ing the work. He went to the kitchen
and told his wife what he had seen, and
said ne is weaving well as she could.
After the quickly prepared dinner had
been dispatched, Mr.. Venable told
farmer J.-fo of his fathers before him,
gave him much recent agricultural
news, the latest manner of ploughing
hill sides, ditching, irrigating,
ing and other topics. The old man lis
tened with marked interest. After
awhile Mr.. Venable looked at his watch
and said he must be moving, as he had
to reach the town, some fifteen or twen--
ty miles distant, that evening. The
horse was brought out and hitched to
h buggy. The parting guest entertain
ed the good woman with a few pleasant
things he knew so we'll how to bestow,
and went to the gate. He asked of the
farmer how much he owed for his din
ner. mot a cent. SIR was the reply,
land whenever you come this way
again, I will be glad indeed to have
o stop with U.S." He then said, And
now let me ask who have 1 been enter
tanning" My name is Venable.'
What" said the host. not Abram
Venable, the democratic candidate?s '
THE same. Mr.. i" ssVVeIl we'll -