The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-14

name your majority, and the wager
may BIO arranged He promptly sug
gested the Southwest. named the ma
promptly accepted the bet. We en-
gagged a resident of the island to Sc
lect pair of ponies to be sent to one
or the other as he should BIO notified.
When the election returns were IN.
Cameron had carried the district by
more than the 1000 that the bet called
for Immediately telegraphed my
congratulations, and asked him where
to send the ponies. He replied by say
ing: when / get In the mansion
will write YOU" That fall. however.
exhibited n the Richmond Fair n
pair of driving mares that won sec
ond premium. among gentlemens
roadsters. owners driving their own
teams. and 1 would have won first
premium. bur Hal Dulancy was there
with the finest pair over which. man
ever drew ribbons. Cameron, hearing
of this wrote me that he would prefer
the premium pair to the ponies il l
would sell them. deductinE the price
of the ponies. This I consented to 90.
He sent man to examine the team,
who vas so pleased that the sale fol-
lowed. and l got out OF my bet with
less loss than the Governor has ever
known from that day to this.
The most spirited contest ever had
on any platform wns at historic APP
pomattoN Courthouse, where I crossed
lances with the late Senator II. II.
Riddleberger, a foeman worthy OF any
mans steel. 1t was ut 4 time when
all of Southside Virginia sat in the
shadow, and was known as the black
belt" but, fortunately for me. on this
occasion the chivalry Of the county
gathered there. and, though Harry"
had CLOUD Of witnesses" about him.
I basked in tho sunshine emanating
from the hopeful faces of the Virginia
gentry. For four hours the fight ragged
furiously. and at the close / was great
~ comforted first to be congratulated
by that great Nirginian prince among
lawyers peerless AS parliamentarian
the late Thomas s. Bocock. 1t was
honor enough for one day and all tho
commentator I needed.
Many of the readers OF The Times
Dispatch remember Harry Riddleber-
! ger. and. though he fought on the
wrong side. lament his untimely end.
| He was n gallant fellow and the idol
OF those who knew him best Tho
! people OF his home town wc,l-nigh
worshiped him ! remember meeting
! him on Governor Street few hours
Senate. and offering my congratula-
| lions. ne said This Is d-n good
luck for Dutchman." Alas! how
soon the sun Of that life went out
into outer darkness,
| At Halifax Courthouse 7 met the
late John s. Wise in debate. and there
was one serious objection. known to
! all men who knew the man, To hav-
| ing controversy with him. One or
the most gifted sons of Virginia, he
invariably allowed his temper to slip.
and that married every occasion in
which he figured as dsputant. Moth
ing but good Of the dead" and have
nothing in my heart but good OF John
5. Wise. and yet 1t was not pleasant
to meet him in discussion because OF
his one falling, though in the social
circle he was a prince of good fellows
and the embodiment OF sunshine itself
Peace to his ashes. l could continue
on this limo well-nigh indefinitely, but
for fear of being crowded out of your
columns. 1 close just here with tho
promise, and with your permission to
give you my estimate of the political
figures that moved on the state and ma
tional stages during my brief career