Year: 1878

GOLD HICKORY"


Col. John B. Brownlow, in friendly lette
to the editor of the Philadelphia Press, cor
tributes the following "reminiscences of Andre'
jackson:


In the days of our fathers, there lived il
Virginia an old planter, Major Hanley, VIII
was an oddity in bis way. Some said he wa
crazy, while others declared that only all in
ordinate love of fun gave rise to his quain
doiDgs. He might be called practical joker
and it is said he never allowed stranger t.
come and 60 without playing upon him on
or more of his ridiculous tricks.


One chilly, drizzly, autumnal evening,
horseman pulled up at the majors door, ant
requested hospitality for the night. He hat
wandered from his way and it was now to-
late to rectify his mistake. .


He was warmly welcomed, and when hi
horse had been taken in charge by compe
tent servant, and his saddle bags removed. b.
was ushered into the great living room, wher
cheerful fire blazed in the enormous fire
place, and where candles were lighted


The major was large, strongly built man
of middle age, bald headed, rather red in th'
face and with an eye deep.set and twinkling


The guest was also of middle age, tall ane
spare, but compact and muscular, with fea
lures of a decided leonine cast, strongly
marked, heavy brows, and shock of thick
crisp hair, that stood up on his large heae
like the name of lion.


Supper was announced, and after tina
the evening passed on pleasantly. AS th'
clock struck nine, the host arose and excused
himself for few minutes. When he return
ed he was accompanied by negro, who car
ried fiddle and bow, and the major himse
carried large horse. pistol in his hand.


"My dear friend" said the host with bow
and smile, 1--WE must not let the evening
pass without little amusement. From your
looks know you can dance. l have one o.
the best fiddlers in the world. He learned tt
play in New Orleans, where music and dane
ing are cultivated. So, sir, you will please
take your place upon the floor, and dance Ut
reel. Let it be Scotch reel-you look
like Scotchman. Come, make no delay
Strike up, Ponp."


The guest protested that he could moi
dance. He had not done such a thing since
his boyhood. But Major Hanley would moi
take no for an answer He did not make
many words. He cooked the pistol and
swore that he would shoot the guest if he did
not dance. The negro had begun to tremble
and once or twice he seemed upon the point
of crying out, but fear Of his master withheld
him.


The guest seemed to consider the matter
He looked at the major and the pistol. The
man might be really insane, though if he was
there was much method in it. However he
was there alone-none to behold his discom'
fiture-and mayhap, he thought, the tables
might yet be turned.


"Come, come! Dance, or ire!"


The guest arose and stood in the centre Of
the room, and there began to dance to the
negro's music, but the music was wretched-
so wretched that the ma jor more than once
threatened to shoot the negro if he did not
play better.


The poor wayfarer danced until he was
fairly tired. The host was upon the point OF
urging him on, when horses tramp was
heard at the landing, and presently servant
put his head into the room and called the
master out. Whether he fnrgot what he was
doing, or he cared not to be seen outside with
the pistol, we cannot say, but be left it on the
table when he went out. AS soon as the door
was closed, the guest went to the table, and
took the pistol in his hand As he had half
suspected, it was not loaded; it was as limo.
cent as a horse shoe. But the traveller had
his pistol ammunition in his pocket, and he
quickly loaded the weapon with powder and
ball, calling upon the darkey to witness.


Shortly the major returned, and his first
movement was to look for his pistol, which he
found missing.


"My dear sir" said the guest, with a low
bow and one of the blandest smiles-a smile,
however, quickly followed by look that
might have made hero quail, 81 found your
pistol sadly deficient; but have recti6ed all
that. You see have my powder flask and
ball pouch. The pistol is loaded, sir, sec,t'a'
dem artem. We will continue the amusement
by dance executed by the master of the
house; and let me assure you, can use a
pistol much better than I can dance reel
Dance, sir, or by the eternal, I'll puts ball
through your legs, if not through your
head"


The major was startled. There was some.
thing in the mans words that almost lifted
him from his feet and took away his breath,
and in the look was command, he could no
more have disobeyed than he could have
hushed the throbbings of his own heart.


He danced. The negro played now with
unction-played in a manner to reflect credit
upon his New Orleans teaching. More than
once the dancer begged to be allowed to stop,
l,,. IL. .:,k,1 bolI kc hand Garf
him moving. Had the weapon been aimed
at his head or heart, he might have run the
risk of the mans firing, but he really believed
the irate traveller would as lief break his legs
as not.


At length the visitor went to the fireplace
and discharged the pistol up the chimney, and
the major was suffered to sit down. AS old
Pompey passed him he stopped, and bent over
and whispered in his masters ear:


"For the Lor massy's sake, mas'r, don't
ye 60 for to cut up any more. l tell ye !
knows dat are man? Wough who would
ebber forget i'm! He's General Jackson-de
rale Old Hickory, an no mistaken


Major Hanley opened his eyes wide. There
is no knowing what he might have done, but
as he was starting up, pale and affrighted, his
visitor, who had heard Pompey's revelation,
put out his hand and said with smile:


"Hold on, major. Not word. If you
can be satisfied, can. Let US have bit Of
repose-a bit of punch with it,"


The punch was brought, and as soon as the
host could regain his spirits, jollity ruled the
hour.


Of course the major had to tell the story
of the coming of the illustrious visitor, and
through the weakness of old Pompey, the rest
of the scene leaked out.