The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-03
RICHMOND "REMINISCENCES.
By Reu r. B Bcrkeey

cool cash" He then pulled from his
pocket Ave dollar bill. and laid it,
with an air of triumph upon the table.
and said. III bet you that amount that
We'll carry the Ninth District by
5000 majority" The Democrat pro-
tested that he did not care TO bet. but
the Republican continued to nag him.
until he pulled from his pocket "A largo
roll OF money. all notes, and
bound with rubber band, and most OF
the notes were of large demonina-
lions. AS he Embossed the band. tho
notes began to swell, until il looked
tonne that there was a pack of money
on the table. In cHplahaiion of the
fact that 50 large an amount
Of the Democrat, I must add that dur
ing the day, he had drawn tho money
from bank, and was careless enough
TO keep it upon his person. When
the Republican "braGgadocio" saw that
a veritable bank had been opened in
his very presence. he withdrew his
mcasly five dollar bill and said no
/ more about betting. at once got
busy to hustle my friend from The
room for fear that some desperate
would get his money, even at the cost
OF his life. We slept together in the
same room at the Exchange that night,
and / must confess that 1t vas
restless night, or rather the frag
mcnt OF night. for it was well-nigh
daybrcak when we retired. as
thought of that large amount OF money
being In the room with us.
Ny first experience In Richmond
theatre was when Maggie Mitchell was
the bright particular star. | saw her
at sweet sixteen and then at sixty,
and though Ponce de Leon failed to
find the ''Fcuntain of Youth Maggie
had not. ON ono occasion heard the
| Riching's opera troupe, and on the
next morning, which was Sunday,
listened TO four OF tho leading singers
of the troupe in the choir OF the First
Presbyterian Church, the building then
fronting Capitol Square, the pastor
being the late gifted and eloquent 7. V.
Moore D. d. He had as his text on
that occasion. Take heed that your
flight be not in the winter time, and
the sermon that followed was OF rare
eloqucnc- and power, while the sing
ing of the members OF that opera
troupe moved upon all hearts and
stirred the depths of emotion l have
heard the Long Meter Doxology"
sung ali my life. but never as 1t was
rendered on that occasion.
Speaking of Richmond churches,
reminds me of venerable and venerated
st Paurs." whose towering and grace
full st-cple. charmed me as boy, and
continued TO charm so long as IL
pierced rnid-heaven. Pity that pru-
Z
no such spire ever lifted its head
heavcnward so far as know.
While DR. Moore was pastor OF the
First Presbyterian Church, the Rev.
VI. u. Hogc, D. D. was pastor Of the
Second, and his afternoon services
were attended by parties OF all reli
gous creeds. and many of no decided
religious belief. On one afternoon one
of Richmonds most brilliant lawyers
went 20 hear DR.. HoEe preach, but I'M
fortunately the doctor was absent
from the city, and a stranger occupied
the pulpit AS the lawyer left the
building, he remarked TO a friend. that
ST Paul is quoted as saying, The fool
ishness OF preaching will save the
world" but that he felt satisfied that
the ''preachinG of foolishncss is Of
service 10 no one" Evidently he was
not plea scd with the eermon Just heard.
The last time l met with Frank"
Cunningham at the banqucting table,
he sang as only Frank" could sing,
and when / rendered my congratula-
tons, he gave me this page from his
iife's history. This morning I sang
at the sickbed of a dying girl. this
afternoon ! sang by an open grave in
Hollywood. and here tonight am
singing at n banquet. This is my eH-
perience day by day" And surely no
man ever sung his way into as many
hearts as did this sweetest CT singers.
How often have I heard him in the
choir OF The First Baptist Church. and
though eloquent men occurted the pull
pit. no sermon ever moved upon the
audience as did the songs ~ this i'm
mortal singer. Clean clean his grave,
We men OF genius. for he was your
knsman; tread lightly upon his ashes.
We men of goodness. for he was your
brother.