The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-05
VIRGINIA ROMANCE.
Young Man and His sweetheart VINO
Ents rtninrI In the "whitc House

III VIC W ''>'"
New York Sun.
There is white house In Virginia not
many miles from Washington according to a
Virginia department. clerk at the National
capital. There is nothing in It's exterior to
warrant the name he says. 1t does not IN
fact. get its name from its appearance
at never was white continues the Viz
ginian. within my recollection and have
known It for thirty-fve years. reckon the
people who live in 1t never thought to ask
why II is called the White House. They are
not people who would look up the reason.
This is the story. and know 1t is true. but
II 1t ever was printed never heard of It,
1.-The house became the property OF young
woman after the death OF her people Her
lover and affianced husband was student at
the university OF Virginia. 1t was his anbi-
tion to be president and as she believed he
was deserving OF the honor. and because see
had high social aspirations. she encouraged
him In his ambition. They had some sort OF
vague idea that II they were sincere in their
wishes and would " for the honor they
would succeed. They did not understand poll
tics as we do. They used TO come over to
Washington and wander about the presiden-
tial mansion and the grounds and 20 up TO
the capitol and sit in the galleries. and oc-
caslonally attend the public receptions. /
have been told that the young woman con-
fded her secret TO President johnson ard that.
doubtless 10 please her fancy, be told her
that her young man had presidential chances,
IL was quite natural. too. that Mr.. Johnson
should have believed this
When she returned to her home In Nir-
Rluia she entertained after the manner of the
president at his public receptions. Her
young man. of course. had the post OF non
or. | do not know whether the people who
OF cd h.. ttgvnv ttYa1a hot
young man aud woman were rehearsing for
White House receptions or not but the young
pair had that in mind. They prayed for a
realization of their dream as earnestly from
all | have heard. as old Stonewall Jackson
prayed for strength to whip the Yankees
There was an old black servant In the family
who preached salvation to the darkies on sun
day and stripped tobacco during the week.
His young 'missus' had great faith in Eph-
RAMS influence with the Almighty, and she
used to call him in 10 eXhort in benalt Oh her
lovers ambition. Ephriam became so i'm
bued with the idea that his supplications
would win that he got to calling the young
man Mr.. President when he visited the plan
tation.
Il reckon you have heard of the tourna-
ments thew used TO have in the South? TINS
young presidential aspirant was fearless
and graceful horseman. He rode at tourney
one dav for the last time. He was confident
he would take the necessary number OF rings
TO entitle him to choose and crown the queen.
and OF course there was only woman In the
world upon whom he would bestow the hon
or She saw him in his saddle. lance couchant
start for the wire. Before he reched It his
horse stumbled There was the usual shout
OF horror. The knight OF the White House,
for that was his title in the tourney, was car
ried from the course dead. In the fall he had
broken his neck.
The moment the young woman realized
what had occurred her reason fed. nor did
It ever return, in spite Of skillful care Her
har whitened but her face remained young.
CO oil ORG
on violent form. Instead she became mis-
tress Of the White House. She held leeees
and receptions and gave elaborate dinners.
Her servants were her guests. chair was
reserved for the president who never came.
In this halucinatlon she died. That is why
the place was known as the white House"