The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-20


OF am ante-beilu,n custom. an the students
We're assembled at stated intervals and
some OF them had 90 declaim passages
selected hv themselves. General Pendis-
toms only connection with the college
consisted in lilo duty OF conducting these
exercises. RE simply criticized the decla-
nations and detailed those that were 10
declaim the next time. Great disorder
attended these occasions I do not re-
member how came 90 he In conversation
with General Lee ON the subject. only
7 am sure that was not formally
summoned 90 lbs office. What l do
remember IS that I was emboldened
% tell iiw that. while all the
students had profound respect for
General penlieton. stiu they con-
s5e-ol compulsory defamation useless
ANA unreasonable. Nothing, apparently.
resulted from the interview. The decla-
nations went on-but not long Four
weeks later my journal had this en-
tr. Thursday, May 31.-Grand blow-uo
no defamation. Pendleton left in dis
ggs- and viii hear Us no more" a fu-
tic EFFORT was made 20 revive declama-
uon next session and the absurd Oh
custom was allowed to die "a natural
death.
General Lees interest IN the stu
dents has often been described and
illustrated. and tho muCh-lre AIDED
summons OF offenders 20 the presi
dents Office has received frequent
mention. Just how General Lee dealt with
students ON these occasions. 1 am happy
TO say I DO not know by experience one
instance. however ! feel that know we'll
enough 10 record it. A student was
spending money more lavishly than g
means justified. Gen Lee sent FOR him,
faH
subject OF living within ones means. he
pointed out the students lack OF con-
siderauou FOR the other members OF his
family who We're stinting themselves that
DE might receive an education. and final
ly said "and. young man. this money
which YOU are squandering represents
Tie sweat ~ your fathers brow
That Time the Best.
Though ! was never summoned before
General Lee for delinquency. IL was
mr misfortune on one occasion to
incur his serious displeasure and TO
receive "a severe rcbuke. NY health
seemed o. De falling and General
Lee spoke 20 me about the cause
With great soncitpde. He suggested that
perhaps ! was working too hard 7 re-
piled. 81 ann so impatient 20 make mp
for rne time ! lost IN the army" I got .
no farther General Lee flushed and
called nay name sharply in an ex-
clamatory tone, and after a slight
pause. added. However long YOU
live and whatever you accomplish. /
you VIII find that the time you
spent in the Confederate army was the
most prontably spent portion OF your
life Never again speak OF having lost
time in the army
The tone IN which he spoke made the
rc2uke very bitter and he must have
seen that T was greatly mortified and
detained me when arose 70 depart. The
subject Of my health was resumed. and
the fact brought out that ! did not and. /
as maintained. could not wear wooden
underc-othing because OF its irritating
effect. lie then said: IF 1 know YOU.
l can teach YOU 20 wear IT," ana went
out and soon returned with two wooden
undershirts. and said: Il present you
these ON the condition that you wear
them out They are very historic The
material ran the blockade. Old Mrs Lee
made them. and they reached NE in
the field ~ Fredericksburg. when the
battle was raging: but they are too mar
row IN The chest for me even 10 put
them on" ] was struck by his calling
the garments historic" and using the
expression "old Mrs. lee" But this IS
of my subject.