Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-11-25
A Pretty Story OF Rainy AT.
ternoon in New York That
Will Interest Many
West virginians.
Col. Ben Wilson's Daughters
Namesake-Hea and
Sage as Flower
Buyers.

teTeSl NdS lStdtSu W ZIG to-Noy, onN
as the names OF distinguished West
Virginia lawyer and his popular and
highly cultivated daughter are conspic-
nous, both In my native State. and
in the story, shall take pleasure in
relating the substance of the story for
the Register, while wait for the rain
to cease falling, and while the matter is
fresh in my memory.
sought shelter in a prominent
Broadway resort this afternoon, dur
ing hard rain storm, and there found
a gentleman of typical Southern caste
entertaining number of acquaint-
ances in a most pleasing manner with
clearly related "reminiscences of plan
tation Lille.
L, too, soon found myself deeply
absorbed auditor of this magnetic man
Of courtly manner. His exceptionally
delightful diction had by common con-
sent entitled him to the floor and he
held it. Upon close observation OF
the distinguished looking gentleman
could not escape the conviction that
his face was not an entirely new one
to me; put where and when | had seen
1t constituted a problem too difficult
for my immediate solution. At last,
however, it dawned upon me that many
years ago | Aad seen the gentleman in
Washington, D. c., at the National Ho-
tel, and in the company of our own
well-known and beloved Ben Wilson.
When an opportune time presented
determined TO test the accuracy Of
my memory, and l did.
'qCol. Ben" said the General, for the
gentleman who had so charmingly en-
tertained his hearers was no other than
the distinguished General Melbourne,
of Mississippi. well, | should say l
do know him. There is an exceeding
ly strong bond of friendship existing
between Ben Wilson and myself.
regard him as one of my most loyal
friends and shall cherish his name so
long as / am possessed of memory. He
is one of Gods noblemen. He has a
great and good heart filled with the
milk of human Kindness. And the
same yesterday, to-day and forever.
Come over here and sit down." said
the General, as he most graciously
pointed the way to cosy corner, "and
let us felicitate over our mutual good
fortune of being numbered among the
close friends of Ben Wilson.
We lighted cigars, sank into easy
chairs and with feet resting upon a
level with our heads, or even higher, the
a Ind TO IL H., fOf
smoke and eloquence. He fascinated
me with most interesting "reminiscences
of Washington life and legislation, in
which Col. Ben Wilson had been con-
spicuous figure. Would that had time
to relate some of these, but must hasten
to that part of the incident to which |
particularly desire to refer. Before SO
doing, however, | shall note among other
things what the General said about Col.
Wilson was that he (the GeneraD al
ways treasured a grudge against the
Colonel for the reason of the Colonel s
great ability, he (the GeneraD was
denied the privilege of writing speeches
for the Colonel at so much per speech.
But as there were numerous other Rep
resentatives for whom he performed
this remunerative service, the grudge
against the Colonel was considerably
committed.
may parenthetically remark that
the General is the father-in-law of the
well-known New Yorker, Berry Wall,
and as l have a sehoolmate who mar
ried Berry Walls sister, we ac-
sxnowledged closer mountaineering,
and talked as friends. But now to the
paramount point, and I use this by
permission: II shall give you addl-
tional evidence of the bond of friend
ship between Col. Wilson and my tam
ily," said the General.
"Once upon time, during my res
idence in Washington, it came to pass
that an event of great comfort and
joy was anticipated in my family, and
at time approximating the date upon
which we hoped to realize our expec-
tation, | confidentially impaired the
information to Ben Wilson" In an
swer to my question about what the
Col. said the General continued: HE
not only invited me to have something.
but evidenced his appreciation and
concern by requesting that l honor him
by comforting the name of his daugh-
ter Buena Vista. / consented, sub
ject to approval of Mrs. Melbourne
and opportunity, but unfortunately we
had to rescind the promise as we did
not feel justified to handicap our
son with a name so effemi-
nate as Buena Vista But"
said the General as he lit fresh cigar,
We never know what fate has in store
for us, and as time rolled by there was
another occasion in our family history
which afforded me the opportunity 10
again become confidential with the Col
onel upon a similar subject, and he re-
peafed his former requests. And it was
our proud pleasure to commemorate
the name of that gracious good daugt,
ter Buena Vista, who is now the good
wife OF Mr.. Brown. My daughter has
almost left her teens to history, and
many people declare her to be a most
beautiful girl. And because of her al
legged beauty and charm of manner. she
was selected to have charge of flower
stand or booth at the bazaar recently
held at the Waldorf Astoria for the
benefit OF the Galveston sufferers. She
had many interesting experiences there,
two of which shall narrate 20 YOU.
1t was the custom of those who pre-
sided at the respective stands to solicit
s--e sale OF the various articles under
their control. Among the number APP
preached was we'll groomed, unosten-
tatiOus appearing gentleman, and in re-