The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1924-02-14

nd he
loved to stroll through the garden admiring them fresh
with dew. He would pluck the pretiest rose bud he
could find and present to he entered the dinin
room at breakfast. Once he invited me to return =.
Lexington with him and visit Agnes. We went bv STAGE
He gentle and courteous to me during the who'll
trp-very solictous about my comfort and we had
most delightful time; finally reaching his home the Same
day. had been there only few hours when beauti
full bouquet was sent me by my cousin, Col. Preston
johnson, who afterwards President of Tulane Uni;
versity, New Orleans. He and my cousin, COL Ton.
Preston called that evening The latters wife was tho
wel-known poetess Margaret Junkns Preston Tbev
had party for at their fine old home soon after THAI
and Col Johnson gave tea. So many people called
it kept busy. The Lees dined in the room next r.
the parlor When the cleared everything awav
the double doors thrown open and the OVERFLOW Of
callers were entertained in it,
"Custis Lee, General Lees son, asked me to allow him
to be my escort in returning calls refused, thinking
that it would be much nicer go with Agnes but ali.
said: You little goose you should go with Gusts for he
hardly asks anyone. So finally did So Most peo
pie would have been glad to have him escort as he
extremely handsome. He professor at the
Virginia Military Institute adjoining Washington and
Lee College, where his father president.
"Now in of the chapel close to the home
the UNCOVERED tomb of General Lee and all his family
including his father Lighthouse Harry Lee, as he was
called Across from the tomb, only few steps the old
coored janitor will show the great Generals office
1t has become the Mecca for his admirers from
every part of the GLOBE the National highway passes
through the historic old town. General Lee true
Christian most Cody He and his wife were
greatly interested in building Episcopal chapel on the
edge of the campus Mrs. Lee invalid from rheu-
matism and spent most of her time in a rolling chair.
Her chief occupation tntng photographs taken from
oil paintings at Arlington the Potomac, where they
had lived. She sold these tinted photographs, of her
grandparents General and Mrs George Washington, at
the fairs gotten up for the benefit of the chapel paint
ed for the fair little landscape in oils wood tin
hard to get after the Civil War sold
for ten dollars remember. She gave tinted pic
lures of both General and Mrs Washington and General
Lee presented with picture of himself with his
tograph. These value very much; also brass button
from his uniform which wear on my watch chain
also have picture of Agnes-the sweetest gentlest
face. His famous horse, Traveller bought by Gen
era Lee from Major Thos L. Broun, of Charleston, West
Virginia, in 1862 Major Brouns married my daugh
ter, Sue Peyton often wish that she and my only son.
JOS F. and daughter, Mary Preston, could have known
the South's great General General Lee used to visit
Traveller every day in the stable his place. There is
familiar picture of him taken this fine horse. After
dinner General Lee would rest awhile in his large
chair He loved for to sit by him and stroke his hair
until he fell asIeep-then would slip away. He knew
engaged to be married to Col JOS Kent, whom he
admired greatly for his gallantry in the Confederate
Army. He gave me some good advice, which to
arise early and have breakfast at 7 o'clock. told him
that too early would promise to have at eight
O'Clock. General Lee elegant looking-always in
perfect order neat, and his Gusts also. He
had many presents sent him. One was large barrel
of fine oranges which did full justice to- eating them
at all hours would sit sometimes in Mrs Lees
and chat with her while she painted. She was very
warmheared and very sweet to me- calling her dear
young friend. 1t sad to think of her as such suf
ferer through rheumatism. Miss Mildred Lee loved cats
though think they are treacherous pets
Zone day Agnes and lying on a very old bed
in my room. She aughingly said Would you like me
to tell you OF all the people who have slept in this bed
IOf course was delighted and said yes 1t was most
Interesting to hear about the noted people of that day
and of the past who had slept in it. didn't feel any
better for sleeping many times this historic bed though
suppose ought to have felt So While was visiting
the Lees they had a grand party for me at Natural
Bridge, Lexington. All the incest beaux and few
of the bellies were invited We drove there in buggies
ana carriages 1t was most beautiful picturesque
drive When l returned 1 escorted to party by
WlckIH Preston, my cousin There was such remarka-
Die likeness to each other that every one noticed it. The
Lees were doing something for my pleasure all the time.
we young people avoided the formal dinings but went
70 Che parties IN the evenings and spent much of
Time IN crlmpng our hair and primpng ourselves to
ceNe the neauX had many beautiful dresses One was
lo'ely oIue and white mohair made low neck with
cape ana angel sleeves for that was the stve then 1t
was very becoming, had so much color Gusts Lee
SAT opposite me at the table and every time looked up
would meet his eyes and blush and I remember that
ne DuSned too We often sroled through the beautiful
nd