Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-08-06
Miseellaneous 8eaains.
STORIES OF SENATOR PETTUs.
Romance of His Love For a Neishbor's

STORIES OF SENATOR PETTUs.
Romance of His Love For Neishbor's
Daushter-other Incidents.
Many entertaining anecdotes are
toic Of Senator Pettus He told this
one Of himself:
when I was a boy down in Ala
bama the hunting and fishing were
still prime and I was very fond Of my
rod, my dog and my gun-much fond
er Of them than Of my books. I didn't
like going to school and played hook
ey frequently to go fishing or hunting.
When 1 was about II 1 fell deeply in
love with the daughter of a neighbor.
One day went to her house and
found her on the gallery watering
violets. Her sunbonnet was hanging
by its strings down her back, the sun
light fell on her pretty face and shin
Ing hair and she looked very lovely.
I stood and looked up at her and I
just couldn't help plumbing right out
the question, Mary I said, will you
marry me?'
"'You go long she answered,
Who'd marry anyone as ignorant as
you are? You won't go to school, but
spend all your time hunting and fish,
ing
'I was ashamed and heartbroken."
the senator continued, land I answer
ed not a word. I knew Mary was
right. I didn't miss another day from
school that term and the next fall
went away to Clinton college, up in
Tennessee. where I spent four years.
All this time I kept away from my
sweetheart. But when I returned
from college knew a little Greek and
Latin and other things and this en-
couraged me to go to see Mary again.
I found her again on the gallery and
I stood as I stood before, looking up
at her from the ground. Mary I
said. I've been to school and I'm not
as ignorant as I used to be- Well,
Mary didn't just say she would marry
me, but I knew 1t was all right. We
were married the next year."
They lived together in the greatest
affection and happiness until the death
Of Mrs. Pettus less than a year ago.
After the war he and another young
lawyer settled down to practice law at
Selma They were miserably poor and
a fee Of 500 seemed like a fortune.
But somehow Pettus' partner got hold
OF a very important claim for north
ern concern and won it. They receiv-
ed tSe tremendous fees Of $4,000.
When nettus got his share of 1t he
looked a, the immense sum Of money
obviously, and remarked to his part
ner, well. TITS will certainly keep US
out Of the poorhouse, but what about
the penitentiary?" He couldn't make
himself feel it was honest to make so
much money in so short a time.
He was very fond Of a quiet game
of poker. A few years ago he spent
the summer at Tate Springs, Tenn.
One day a friend met him walking
away from the hotel, and asked him
where he was going.
I'm going to that little white
building among the trees over there"
the senator answered, pointing to the
only gambling place in town.
But, general" said his friend, "you
know that place is run by two Of the
worst card sharps in Memphis"
Yes, I know" grumbled the sena-
tor, "but there Is no place else to
play" He would rather take the
chance Of being cheated than forego
his little game.
AS indicating the friendship be-
tween Morgan and Pettus, habitues Of
the Capitol recall some remarks Mr..
Pettus made in the senate on January
23, this year, when the subject Of the
proposed increase In congressional
salaries was under discussion. Mr..
Morgan was absent, and, referring to
him. Mr.. Pettus said:
HE began his education at the old
field school. He has always been a
student from boyhood. knew him
when he first became a lawyer, and /
have known him ever since. I have
lived in the same village with him for
about sixty years. He commenced
life without anything. You all see
how hard he works here. He has
worked that way all his life. When
he came to the senate his income was
something in the neighborhood of
$4,000 year. He has been here now
for thirty years. Had he worked at
the profession I have no doubt that
during the time that he has been in
the senate his income would have been
at least $4,000 a year. He might
have been a millionaire today If he
had stuck to his profession"
Senator Pettus was universally be-
loved and respected by his colleagues
on both sides Of the chamber. A Re-
publican of great prominence and in
fiuence said to a friend one day last
winter, discussing the disinclination
Of the senate to handle a certain mat
ter so as to crafty a strong Republican
senator from a middle western state
who Is not liked by other senator's.
that If 1t had been Senator Pettus who
wanted a favor done, the whole sem
ate would have been more than glad to
make any sacrifice in order to accom-
modate him. Pettus was not a great
statesman. as Morgan was. but was
fine, genuine, honorable old Southern
gentleman, whom to know was to
love.-From Various Papers.
TOO GOOD TO LOSE.
MIN Rraua Man CaMad the [ ifa of