. Ben Hardin; his times and contemporaries, with selections from his speeches. ged the sugar and cottonStates. Fifty years ago, it couldwell claim to be considered asocial center. The belles of Nel-son reigned not less imperiouslyin Frankfort and Washingtonthan in Bardstown, and some ofthem, by their wit and beauty,graced courts abroad. The townhad not only refined and wealthysociety, and citizens noted foitalent throughout the country,but it boasted of distinguishedvisitors. A Frenchman, a stranger,came to Bardstown, some sixtyyears ago, and remained for several months, lavishly expending mon
. Ben Hardin; his times and contemporaries, with selections from his speeches. ged the sugar and cottonStates. Fifty years ago, it couldwell claim to be considered asocial center. The belles of Nel-son reigned not less imperiouslyin Frankfort and Washingtonthan in Bardstown, and some ofthem, by their wit and beauty,graced courts abroad. The townhad not only refined and wealthysociety, and citizens noted foitalent throughout the country,but it boasted of distinguishedvisitors. A Frenchman, a stranger,came to Bardstown, some sixtyyears ago, and remained for several months, lavishly expending moneyon his personal wants, but maintaining the profoundest mystery as towhence he came or who he was. He finally disappeared, leaving themystery of his identity unsolved. A strong suspicion existed that hewas a prince /;/ cog: It is related of this mysterious foreigner day, he procured a horse of his host and rode out of town. Itwas not long before the horse was seen returning at top speed. Theprince (if such he was) had abdicated the reins, but sat firmly poi.^ed 11. The Return of the Prince. I 62 BEN HARDIN. in the saddle grasping the horn. He was cool and serene, buthatless, and it did not escape observation that the top of his headgrazed the lintel as his coursing steed, full tilt, entered the stabledoor. The foregoing is related as it was told; but, prince or no prince,there were many royal fellows about Bardstown who drank wines andliquors as well as wagered money on games in princely fashion. WhenMr. Clay came there in 1829, it is said that after making one of hisgrand speeches he, with a company of boon companions, wore out thenight around the gaming-table—a circumstance in keeping with thepronounced tastes of the great statesman. About that period thereexisted a peculiar custom at Bardstown, long since passed away andnow well-nigh forgotten. Once or twice a month, or possibly morefrequently, the chief hotel gave an entertainment known as a bucksupper, so calle
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