The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-26
MRS. BLAKEMoRE's DAUGHTER.
CHAPTER I.

"I havn't a cent" l knew not what to do. had been carefully educated, had been taught some of the intellectual graces that enable a man to pose as a scholar and make living without work, but now, at the end of several months aimless wandering, found myself in a Texas city with just money enough to buy very poor but keenly relished breakfast After eating, stepped out on the sidewalk and said to myself, q haven't cent" sat down in front of the hotel and casually took up news paper which some one had thrown aside. This is the first thing that struck my eye WANrED-By Mrs. K katherine Blakemore, athoroughly experienced man to take charge as manager of a large cotton plantation.
 An, here was chance. knew noth- ing about cotton but perhaps Mrs. Blake more would never find it out. would lie to the lady. l went into the hotel and asked the clerk if he could tell me where Mrs. Blakemore lived.
 "She lives about five miles from here," said he. Are you going down to her place2'
 "Yes, thought I'd go down and take charge of her plantation.m
 "Let's see," turning to the register, your name is MT. William Crenshaw, l believe 2'
 "Yes."
 "Well, MT. Crenshaw, in a few mo- ments from now gentleman will leave here in buggy for that neighborhood. have no doubt but he would be pleased to have you accompany him."
 "Yes," replied, "as came day earlier than was expected, and as no conveyance has been sent for me, shall be pleased to ride with the gentleman. :"
 "l will see. Here, front," tapping a bell, "go up to forty-six and tell MT. Hay wood that gentleman who is going to take charge of the Blakemore place would like to ride down into the country with him."
 Front" hurried up stairs and soon returned, bringing word that the gentle man would be pleased to have me accom-. pany him. When MT. Haywood came down was introduced to him with much ceremony. He was planter himself and was glad that an expert cotton grower was coming to his neighborhood. During the drive, l requested him to give me his idea of raising cotton from the planting of the seed to the gathering of the crop.
 "When meet an intelligent man," said, |" always make it point to ge, the benefit of his experience. have written many articles on cotton culture"-oh, what lie" and l am never tired of learning something about our wonderful staple"
 Mir. Haywood was fattered. He gave me, in careful detail, his views with re- gard to the management of a cotton crop. took careful note of all the terms, and by the time he had concluded, I could tell him all about the boll-worm and the rust the long and short staple in fact, l knew all about it. The conver- sation was worth more to me than years term at an agricultural college would have been.
 The Blakemore farm was a beautiful place. As I approached the large house, surrounded by great trees, devoutly prayed that no one had forestalled me. Probably the lady would demand papers of recommendation. In that event my application would prove worthless. l would try, anyway.
 A servant showed me into neatly fur nished parlor. Presently Mrs. Blakemore entered. introduced myself and, seeing that she was intelligent, proceeded to dis cuss the topics Of the day. After awhile, said:
 "Mra Blakemore, having seen your advertisement called to see if we could not make agreeable arrangements. am n expezienced man at cotton growing" oh, what another lie -a and l Aatter my seh that l can give entire satisfaction."
 :" an yszy much in need of . mana gE,s shs replied. eysing me closely, < but lvant none but the bsst. OveEseess are saS snoush to get but good managen Axe scArcA.s
 m aware of tha4s rsplisd, sand tnf ' ths reason had n hssitancy in
 sAe placs ! furmsriH he'd"