Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-02

fayette. who appears as an an1iable
young man. bald on top of the head.
Y picture Of Nellie GUSTS, which Is
stained and faded. nevertheless con-
Ncys still an impression OF rich and
compelling beauty.
This Masonic chapter 10 which Wash
ington belonged is still active and
prosperous. and has published several
works about Itself. including a book
IN which are set down the biographies
or all the deceased members of the
chapter so far as they are known.
This book is beautifully bound in green
aud gold. and was intended to sell for
81. but may bc had for so cents now
bccaus" the demand Is not pressing.
AS a matter Of fact IL is rnine of
Interesting material about tho lives Of
people that lived long ago; II Is tho
real stun OF history. Here you have
the stories OF AlcXandrians from Co
lonial /" near modern times. and from
the humble Michael Flanncry. OF whom
nothing Is known except that he was
a bank teller and ono OF the promoters
OF Birth Night Ball" at Gadsby's
Tavern. to the spcnd'fcrous Ferdi-
nando Fairfax, ono OF Alc1andria's
most gilded scions. the son OF Bryan.
the eiEth Lord Fairfax and. godson
OF George Washington. In addition
10 II pedigree Of Imposing length, this
young man inherited. before ne was
twcnty-onc. an estate In Virginia and
England that was equal to princi-
pali'y, together with the behest to be
liberal to all around him"
Iind sixteen to Name.
NO. Fcrdinando did not proceed 10
spend his colossal fortune in riotous
living. ON the contrary. at the age OF
twenty-five he married Eliza Blair
Cary. a famous beauty, and by her had
no less than sixteen children. Hts
only relaxation from the cares OF being
family man on a large scale seems
10 have been the naming Of these
offspring. Thus he had an Archibald
and AN Octavius, and "A Floretta. and
incidentally Sally and a George
Nearly all Of these who survived had
distinguished careers. AS for Fer
dinando. in addition TO being a model
domestic man. according 10 his biogra-
phrr' ne was also student of litera-
turc and the fine arts. The only one
Of his works which is cited in proof
Of the fact is his Will. made in the
hush Of his fortunes. and written in
the style OF stately elegance and lit
erary beauty most unusual In such
documents" At that Ferdinando had
more 10 write about than most Of us.
Another interesting biography is
that Of Colonel William Payne. who
was born about 1925. and whose sole
claim 10 fame is that he whipped George
Washington in AN election fight. 1t
seems that Fairfax and Payne were
opponents for the House OF Burgesses.
ana washington was electtoneerinE
around the polls for Fairfax. He got
into an argument with Payne, and
called that gentleman something pretty
strong. Payne hauled off and hit
George blow that laid him fat
According to the ethics Of the day,
a duel was inevitable. Washington
sent for Payne. who came ready to
face the encounter. But George. In
stead Of the duciing pistols. had set
forth decanter Of good red liquor
and two glasses lie told Payne that
he (WashinGton) had been in tho
wrong the day before. and was willing
TO call the matter settled, and take
drink on ii, il Payne was satisfied
So there was no duel after all. Tho
cherry tree fable may now retire for
long and deserved rest.