The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1900-02-28


fame actually rested on that one effort
"Clara Vaughan" was published in 1854,
during our civil war, but we know him
only as the author Of Lorna Doone," al
though he has written many others. Mr..
Blackmore had, or will have, a perms-
nent place in English literature through
that one book, which is still popular
after thirty years Of circulation. Since
his death the interest In 1t has increased.
Mr.. Blackmore is another instance OF
great writer not winning success with
bound. Even Lorna Doone" did not at
first attract the publishers. America
turned a cold shoulder at first, but we
who are old enough, remember when the
Princess Louise was married to the Mar
quis Of Lorne in 1871, and the similarity
Of name brought the book into quick
recognition, when it became an English
classic, and today school boys and girls
all know of Lorna Doone," which
abounds in truth and beauty. 1t is a
pure romance which all the world loves
Mr.. Blackmore was q child Of nature,
lovable and loving. His last yeers have
been peaceful and he had long lived an
almost idyllic existence. He had reached
three score and Eve years.
The letter OF Ex-Governor Crittenden,
OF Missouri, to Mr.. Goebel, which APP
peared in the Courier-Jourpal,r recalls a
pleasant incident to mind connected
with him and my brother-in-law, Thos.
II. Ditto, who were class mates at Center
college, Dsnville, KY, and who were
both in Missouri during the civil war.
Mr.. Ditto a Southern sympathizer, and
Col. Crittenden a Federal officer. Mr..
Ditto was in the fierce battle at Boone
vile and member Of Gen. Maraduke's
regiment. After that battle Gen. Price
retreated fourteen miles back and
camped. Mr.. Ditto had leave Of absence
TO inform his wife, my sister, OF his
whereabouts. he was making arrange
ments to send his wife to Kentucky when
he was arrested by the home guards and
carried to headquarters where 1t was take
the oath or 20 to prison In Illinois. He
took the oath In order to remain at home.
A few months after that Col. Crittenden
was sent to Bonneville with regular
troops. The home guards still made
skirmishes through the country, har-
raised Mr.. Ditto and threatened his life.
Finally Mr.. Ditto went one Sunday
morning to see T. I. Crittenden, whom
he had not met since college days. He
was standing on the street and recogni-
ton was mutual. Col. Crittenden said,
"Oh, I've got you, old fellow, you are
my prisoner But" he continued,
put your horse up, come eat dinner
dinner with me and tell your grievances,
for / know your politics and know you
have come for something" Mr.. Ditto
made known his complaints, when the
Dol. said, go home and II you are an
noyed again I'll put lot Of regulars at
your command and you can take re-
venge." He thus proved friendship
closer than politics. His clean. Just, pa
riotic command made him find friends
among the southern svmpathizers who.
when the war was over. sent him to con-
gress from Cooper county, Mo. We are
familiar with his record as Governor,
Congressman and citizen. He 10 q big
hearted manly man.
Well Nancy, l am 10 the finale OF
"Merrie England and such an ideal life.
such an Utopian dream one is bewildered
to know the difference between $50
cialistic" government and an Eden. All
the requirements Of q perfect human
life are pictured. Food, clothing. feel,
amusements and education are supplied
without the use Of money. Whenever 1
read. see or hear the practical way to
obtain such state, I'll be convert, but
until dol am yours truly, Pluto. How
ever In reading 6nd that many artists.
especially in England and on the Cont.
nent, and 10 some extent in America,