The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-09-14

Venable his more serious peccadllloeS as
he had been the cause of the producing
of such a rare speech as that of Mr.
MilIer's. Mr.. Venable is buried at Ok
ford by the side of his noble wife and
his son. the late Major Thomas Brown
Venable, well-known lawyer. Mr.. Ven
able was for many years Presbyterian
Ruling Elder, and died in the faith with
great composure, and with but little ply
steal suffering.
l must. as an after thought, detain
the reader with an illustrative and au-
thentic anecdote. 1t shows his skill as an
electioneerer when candidate, his readl-
ness of adaptation to circumstances, MS
easy cordiality, and his resources. He
and Hon. John Kerr were opposing can
didates for Congress in the Granville dis
trict Mr.. Venable was the Democratic
candidate, and Mr.. Kerr was the wing
nominee. The canvass was spirited and
the speeches unusually eloquent, vigor-
Gus and animated. Both speakers were
of rare powers. 1t is doubtful IL half
dozen canvasses in the State ever equalled
it in the ability, eloquence and interest
of the debate. Mr.. Venable was travel
ing in a buggy to an appointment where
he was to meet his competitor next day.
About noon he overlook Mr.. Kerr and
companion riding with him in a buggy.
The latter were seated at a spring under
a great hill. with luncheon spread out.
Mr.. Venable was cordially invited to par
take. He declined, saying he had some
thing in view that required his speedy
attention, so he drove on. After reach
ing the top of a long ascent, just ahead
on his right was a farm house. He
alighted at the gate and entering knocked
at the front door, TO which there was
no response. He pondered, when he heard
the noise of loom At once he went
to the rear of the house where he saw
the small building set apart for weav-
ing. Going to the door he saw a ruddy,
gray-haired woman busy with the loom.
Entering he gave her one of his most
courtly bows, and said he would be glad
to get food for himself and horse. She
told him the dinner hour had passed, and
her husband wos donw in the field with
his hands. He then asked if she could
not prepare for him some fried meat and
corn bread. She replied that she was
very busy with her weaving and could
not leave it. He was ready. Madam"
he said. IF you will do the cooking I
startled exclamation; "you weaver" Il
know all about it, was the response.
Whereupon she left for the kitchin. and
the candidate for reelection took her
place and away went the shuttle. She
quickly built fire, and the husband,
whom 1 call Mr.. Weston, seeing the
smoke, hurried back, fearing it was the
house on fire. Arriving at the door he
asked his venerable spouse, who was busy
preparing repast for the traveller, what
she was doing. She pointed to the horse
hitched at the gate, and to the weaving
house, and said that fine looking gentle
man wanted something to eat for him
self and horse, and he was now weaving
the cloth for her whilst she was prepar-
ing the food. This sent the old man to
the weaving room at once. Looking in
he laughed, and was invited by Mr.. V. to
enter. This he did. Mr.. Venable, with
his marked urbanity and off-hand free
dom called him by name, began chat,
inquired after his sons, and asked about
his ancestry, showing that he was in
formed fully. After the hurried dinner
he talked freely with the kind host, and
in an hour or so said he would be glad
to have his horse, as he had some dis
tance to make before night. He pulled
out his purse as they stood by the vehicle,
and asked for the charge. The hospitable
old man replied, mot a cent, sir, | am
pleased to have you as my guest, and if
you pass this way again, be sure to call
and partake of our bounty" This was
duly acknowledged by the guest, when
Mr.. Weston said: You have been so
very friendly and interesting, and have
given me so much pleasant chat about
farming and improvements, ETC., / want
to know you better. Please tell me your
name?" The departing guest said, Ven
able. why. you are not Abram Ven
able the Democratic candidate for Con-
gress, surely?" II am the man" was
the reply We'll" said Weston, Il have
heard a great deal of you and not to your
credit always, as you are Democrat.
am a Wing, but if l do not vote for you
at the election it will be because l have
died. And not only will / support you,
but l have six sons who are Wings, and
we will all vote for you, certain" Mr..
Venable had made the visit in the hope
of securing one vote when 10! he got
seven. The story runs that the father
and sons all voted for the very agreeable,
kind and shrewd Democrat. as was
promised.
Among the able and accomplished men
l have known in the past was Hon.
Montford McGehee, a native of Person
county, l think. He was the son of
Thomas McGehee, an estimable gentleman
of that county. The son was we'll edu-
Gated, was graduated at the University
of North Carolina, an institution of learn
ing that has sent forth by hundreds men
of parts and mark. who filled more than
usual space in the public eye, and added
to the good name and development of
their State. Mr.. McGehee was a lawyer,
had travelled abroad at a time when not
many of our people saw foreign countries,
and was one of the best prepared young
men for intelligent observation and study
of character and governments the State
had. He was decidedly we'll cultured,
had excellent taste, was possessed of a
good natural mind, was of elegant and
refined manners, and was one of the most
perfectly bred and courtly gentlemen I
have ever known He was a model of