Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-08-01

shoulders. what large head and
what bullying muscles Some rumor
OF his past life. a vague but fascinat-
ing story OF wauderings on the seas
and OF stormy but successful expert
ences IN the wars OF mauy lands, had
come 20 the generals ears from this
or that accidental source. Very few
imaginations are proof against such /
a film OF romance lowering over an
individual who emphasizes its allure
ment with personal appearance al
together extraordinary.
II am too old. general. 20 think % /
taking command of even company" /
said Mr.. Vernon after moment. 10 /
spoke with respectful thoughtfulne~s.
agt behind ms words was a reserve of t
something like conscious superiority. /
or, az least. Of absolute sclf-con6lence. .
lie folded his arms across his immense T
chest, bis long ride m the hollow ot
lis LEFT elbow, its butt on Che ioo- bee
tween his feet. ''No. prefer to Grhs
a. an individual riicman. aul. ale
though I am OLD. NY ewes are still
cood-I shoot well.
Now, what Is the use. Nr. Vernon.
of your speaking like this" demanded
Jackson. with a hint of his stormy im-
patience IN has voice. It was not ot
his nature 20 brook resistance. care
You not going ever 90 cease rescntinr
nay refusal 20 appoint Loring2 1 as
sure You. sir. that had he been
gentleman instead of q sc0unl rel, 1
still had no place for him.
Tai IL IS YOU who are frettedl
. DO you imagine thatif I felt SO greatly
aggrioved I should bee here now offer
I ing myself a. private soldier IL
desired Office, General Jackson, do
YOU feel that / could not have Do with
out asking you?
There was nothing beneath the
3 most superb dignity In AR. Nernon's
' way OF saying this. 1t was propounded
as simple question without any ring
OF personal liqco on 81 undue assUnp-
4 zion. aud yet there was a sudden cold,
hard CLEAN IN his eyes.
-'Oh. well. said Jackson, rather
hsughtily and as If dismissing the
matter once FOR an, 'yon must do as
You please.
81 will DO this" Mr. Vernon Zee
. sponded, without taking any nYtice II
tle generals mood, 4 viii raise %
company az MY own expense aud have
/ it report TO you, properly equipped
and Offered.
Before there could be any reply Co
his words, he salnted graveiy aud
, walked out OF the room.
Inc entrance at this moment of
Governor Claiborne, General Where
and VI. Tousarj. tho French consul,
forced Jackson's attention into ncu
channel: but daring the interview,
which was important. his thought
kept turning back Go the singular con-
terence with Mr.. Vernon. Aud We.
what had there really been In i5
that should impress himg Ger
tlinlv. the mere fact that citizen
Of New Orleans had offered himself
as soldier was nothing peculiar
or impressive; men were doing this
every day. Moreover. what Mr.. \er-
non had said was simple enough.
Jackson found that it was the man =
personality the extraordinary pres
ence, the suggestion OF almost im-
measurable experience and OF incom-
parable dignity, reserve. self-repres-
sion that fingered i'm las brain and
appealed to him IN some obscure bus
wonderfully potent way. 10 Is cred
iale that Jackson who was man oi
( penetrating insight felt that Mr.. y er-
non was type cmbOdylng the strange
spirit OF this romantic creole clvlllza-
. tion-that IN his stalwart. massive
frame there dwelt the composite soul
of all this Wild, free, untamable swarm
iu whose midst the general now found
himself. with no efficient means o'
reaching their natures ard warming
their sympathies.
"What did Vernon want2' Ciai.
borne veutured, In his smooth way. ca
inquire. after the Immediate business
: of the interview was over.
= He offered his services, % said jack.
. son, evasively.
''He did? That is fortunate just al
! this juncture. Do you know. general
that he is the most important man IN
Louisiana"
= fuence."
e 1T is unbounded, said Che Frencl
consul
j. Yes, added General Where. Will
# quick interest, lighting cigar mean
T time, ''we can count upon everythiu.
n II his hearty support can be secure
e at once"
l. Il asked him 70 raise and lead
company, said General Jackson.
/, "Why, general" said Where. g.
.t must say that YOU have blundered-
e Unwittingly, of course Raise and lea
r company You should have take
l. him close TO you at once aud made BIZ
a q confidential adviser.