The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-03
Business Men Sign Petition Urging the Pres
ident to Hold Up Young Craw-
ford's Commission.
CLAIM HE DIDN'T TREAT FAIR YOUNG
CAROLINA BEAUTY EXACTLY RIGHT
She Had Bought Her Trousseau But the Day on Which
the Wedding Was Set the Groom-Elect Declined
to Marry Her.

was popular with the men; the girls all
liked him, and it is said he had no diff
Guilty in making his way straight to their
hearts With women he was gentle ten
der, thoughtful, consderate. He seemed
TO understand their whii:ls and vanities
and his persuasive manner and iiuent
tongue made matters smooth sailing
in love affairs Had he the inclination he
would have made Il reckless. disastrous
flirt. He wrote well. talked we'll. danced
like dream and had polished manners.
In evening dress he was striking in APP
pearance. Strange young ladies visiting
Chester and gliding over the ballroom
floor with him i'll a ri5eon figure at the
german could not help Sravitating to-
wards him during the evening. Crawford
was regarded as the catch of the town.
PREFERRED THE HOME GIRL
Several nets were set for him by fair
Carolina girls. but he fell in love with
Miss Douglass. She was a home girl
He knew her, and they drifted towards
each other slowly but surely. until they
became necessary to each others happi-
ness. Many an evening they sat out on
the veranda planning their future amid
n sweet summer silence undisturbcd by
anything save the periodical chirp of i
lonesome cricket aud the clear note OF
whIp-Ihor-WIil squirting on Il, distant
field, hours after the Gunncrs had sonc5in.
Days and weeks passed There were
ruinorS OF 4 marriage III the drowSy lit
tie town of Chester and everybody seem
ed interested in the event: The young.
lovers strolled together. gathered daisies
ana tried their fortunes with the old IA
miliar lovc-me, love-me-not. along side
the railroad track: drove together III the
afternoons ant! said good night beneath
4 big, weird moon sitting through the
honeysEckle vine on The creaking old ve-5
randa late at night.
But 4 time came when they had to part
for while. at least. Ambition. which a
certain historical character Was cnjoin
ed 10 fling AWAY filled the young mans
breast. He was seized With 4 desire to
be something. to do something that would
arc:lse the admiration of his fellow towns
men. The big broad world lay before him
and the opportunity now presented itself
to show what sort OF stuff ilc was made
OF. Editing the Chester Lantern did not
afford any broad field tct. the displaynf
genius. Besides. it was tame. News OF
an interesting character seldom deve;ored
in Chester. and even if a live story flew
in at the cdito:ial window OF the Ian
tern. friendly relations. family ties ana
other pulls prevented the editor from go
ing into such details rs would interest
the limited number OF subscribers and; set
the town to talking.
WENT TO WAR
30 Nbtl!SrNI1N1Otu WGicQ1lleuEt Elue&atlu-
ncuncement that war was o,s with Spain
lie was full of the battle fever. Visions
OF charging UP hiilsides against the one
my, CALAMITY planting the stars anu
stripes on Il totterinS fort. or having ne
roic reports sent to Washington about
his personal valor fired him from head to
foot. He must enlist. His country need
ed him right then, and couldn't we'll get
along without him. Army life WIS pic
tured. in his vision. and the clashins OF
swords and roaring of artillery rescuno-.
| ed in his ears at night. 80
His engagement TO the faircst woman in
Chester had already been announced. The.
parting would be. hard. But duty before
love- He must go. Their last night to-.
gether was sad one. and parting was,
! indeed such sweet sorrow. How many
tears were shed, how many VOWS
i of LOYALTY were made. how many
i times he sworc no betwitchins
Spanish maiden. Cuban beauty or.
Filipino girl could rob her 90
! his thoughts for moment, is not record