emotions which betoken the approach of spring. But the art of wooing was most successfully cultivated; and Catherine Baskins, who lived at the confluence of the Susquehannah and Juanita rivers, agreed to become Mrs. Stephens. He no doubt used to good advantage the figure of the mated streams to picture the congenial currents which he was anxious to unite and he probably sealed negotiations in the breezy angle where the waters met. But it often happens that the orange-blossoms contain the seed of discord, and it was well for Captain Stephens that he had first been hardened as a soldier before ever he posed as a lover. Parental opposition was most relentless; and, while the marriage took place, the important member of the family who by virtue of this compact became the father-in-law of Captain Stephens was never reconciled to the nuptials. Andrew Baskins possessed wide acres and large revenues, and, as wealth was reckoned in Colonial days, he was reputed rich. He probably wished his daughter to marry the son of some wealthy baron like himself. And unhappily for Captain Stephens he did not meet this parental requirement. He had silver enough, but instead of being in his pockets, it was on his head. It suffices to say that reconciliation never took place. Disapproval became disinheritance. But the couple remained in Pennsylvania until 1795, and then coming southward the little family homestead was planted in the woods of Northern Georgia. The new settlers first located in Elbert county, but afterwards crossed over into Wilkes, locating in what later became Taliaferro.

Disowned though she was, Mrs. Stephens, with the filial reverence so characteristic of the daughters of men, christened her eldest born Andrew Baskins Stephens.

Captain Stephens lived many years after coming to Georgia, and finally died in 1813 at the advanced age of eightyseven. Several children survived him; but Andrew Baskins Stephens is the only one who needs to be here considered. Educated in the university of the backwoods, otherwise known as "the old-field school," Andrew could boast of compartively few accomplishments beyond the three R's, since patrimonial means were limited. But book learning was not considered so essential in those days; and besides he possessed what is far more important even in these days: sterling and sturdy character.

Andrew B. Stephens was married twice. His first wife, whom he married in 1807 was Mary Grier, daughter of Aaron Grier and sister of Robert Grier, famous as the originator of "Grier's Almanac," which once shared the honors with the family Bible in almost every Southern homestead. It is still held in wide repute, and is now owned and published by John B. Daniel. Three children were the fruit of this first marriage, Mary, Aaron Grier and Alexander. Alexander, who afterwards added Hamilton to his name in honor of his preceptor, became the illustrious Alexander Hamilton Stephens, statesman, orator, author and sage, who was born February 11, 1811. His mother, whose frail and delicate constitution he inherited, did not long survive his birth.

Mr. Stephens married again in 1814. His second wife was Matilda S., daughter of Col. John Lindsay. Colonel Lindsay was an officer in the Revolution. He lost his right hand during the struggle, and concealing his disfigured member under an ornamental silver bandage he acquired the sobriquet of "Old Silver Fist." He amassed large property at one time, but became the victim of mis

placed confidence and died possessed of small holdings. Five children were born of this second marriage, three of whom reached adult years, John Lindsay, an accomplished and able lawyer, Catherine B. and Linton. Linton was born on July 1, 1823, and became the celebrated jurist and orator, who was scarcely less gifted than his more famous half-brother.

Losing his father and mother within seven days of each other and when he was hardly three years old, Linton went to live with his maternal grandmother; while Alexander H. and Aaron G., who were the surviving children of the first marriage, were taken in care by Col. Aaron Grier. The patrimony which the children received on coming of age was something over four hundred dollars each. Much of the land which formerly belonged to the old homestead had been sacrificed, and one of the first duties which Alexander H. Stephens charged himself to perform when he began to earn money was the repairing of the old graveyard and the repurchasing of the property which his father had lost. Linton, after reaching some size, went to live with Alexander H. at Crawfordville until he was ready for college. He received the most affectionate and tender care from his half-brother, who was now his legal guardian; and much of his success in life. was due to the inspiration which he received at this early stage of his career.

CHAPTER VI.

The Dramatic Debut of Alex. H. Stephens.

D

URING the high summer of 1836 the lower branch of the General Assembly of Georgia was engaged in discussing the measure to provide for the building of the Western and Atlantic Railroad. In the light of subsequent developments the measure was one of unparalleled importance to the State; but the opposition to the bill was most pronounced. The debate on the proposed legislation had dragged heavily along for days. Member after member had spoken. At last when the wearisome monotony had grown to be so painful that the lawmakers sat listlessly in the hall, scarcely hearing what was said for sheer drowsiness, some one arose underneath the gallery and in shrill but musical accents which flew to the presiding officer's desk like silver-tipped arrows, suddenly addressed the chair:

"Mr. Speaker!"

Instantly the whole house was alert. Glancing in the direction from which the sound proceeded it was found that this melodious alto which was now heard in the house for the first time came from a member whose entire aspect was so boyish as to redouble the interest which his accents had aroused. The attention became almost breath

less. Every glance in the hall was riveted upon the attenuated figure and cadaverous face of this strange speaker who had hitherto been regarded with sympathetic eyes as an invalid who was too weak to swell the volume of discussion by any speech-making upon the floor. But this delicate lad was now actually charming the assemblage with the very enchantments of Orpheus.

He spoke in favor of the bill. New arguments were advanced; new principles were introduced; new advantages were pointed out; and new phases of the measure were discussed. He spoke only half an hour but he injected new life into the dull debate. What he said seemed to be dashed with the morning's dew; and when he sat down the walls of the old Capitol building at Milledgeville fairly shook with the applause which came from every part of the hall.

Charles J. Jenkins was one of the first to reach him in the rush of congratulations. Said he

"Sir, that speech will send you to Congress."

This impulsive tribute from one who was himself marked for future honors was signally prophetic.

The pale youth whom he thus addressed was none other than the man who was destined to represent Georgia in the halls of national legislation not only throughout the stormy period of the slavery agitation before the war, but during many successive terms thereafter; who was also to be Vice-President of the Southern Confederacy; and who was finally to round out his long career of usefulness in the executive chair of the State:

Alexander H. Stephens.