The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-10-10
AN OLD | AasssyocRArs
Iople R Rsaa, ia AlempAls Times.l

i | stopped Ss &H old gray stone house tnak stood near the road. The place was in a state of interesting ruin. The stone walls around the grounds were covered with vines which, seeking security, thrust their tendTils into the creviccs wrought by dc. slruction. An old gentleman, dressed in A suit of almost threadhare black. met me at the gate and cordially invited me to enter the house. l was not slow in ae- cepting the invitation, especially as a black clcud, with tumhling accompanl- ment, was drifting over from the west, bat moro especially because was hun gry. The house was not well furnished. Everything was faded, but iels that was breathing the air ot extreme rehne- ment.
 "Take this seat" said the old man. offering me an arm chair. "He,tie,1 ,1 he added, addressing girl whom 1 saw standing in the hallway, tell yca. s.cshe: that a gentleman will take dinner with us"
 Hettie immediately departed to execute me, said Excuse me. sir, for not soon- CT introducing myse't. My name is Leckford, Colonel George Leckford." 1 should have first introduced myself" l rejoined, not without confusion. then told him my name.
 "Glad 10 see you, sir" he said, ad- vancing and cordially shaking my hand. Did you belong to the aristocracy be- fcse the warr
 @No, sir" replied.
 "That was unfortunate" he rejoined. "Gold, sir. could not tempt me to lay aside my pride. am proud, and am glad of it."
 lust then heard terrible crash. The old gentleman, with great agitation, sprang to his feet. The next moment Het,ie ran into the room and exclaimed 1:
 "Oh, papa, the safe has fallen over and all our pretty dishes are smashed"
 Great goodness, girl, you don't tell me so ?"
 "Yes, sir, everything is broken"
 The old gentleman struggled hard to control his emotion. |" My dear sir" said he, fear that we shall be compelled to do without dinner"
 ventured to tell him that could take piece of bread and meat in my hand and eat 1t us travelled, but he tuned upon me and in severe tone said:
 "No man ever left my house in that manner. will send boy to the village for more dishes. The distance is short, only ten miles, and he will soon be back. You must wait until he returns" could not wait; so, after many pro testations on the part of my kind host, ] resumed my journey.
 About six months later again travelled the same road, and, just before dinner time, l reached the old house. l did not care to make myself known to the colo mel, and as ] now wore quite heavy growth of beard l decided, in order to avoid long conversation, prompted by previous acquaintance, to enter under an assumed name. may be pardoned for mentioning a strange coincidence. 1 was again huagry.
 "Glad to meet you, Mir. Singleton" said the old gentleman when had given him my assumed name. "Did you be. long to the arisctocracy before the war l'
 "Yes, sir.'
 "Ah. then, am doubly glad to see you. Previous to the great calamity you had no business, of course"
 No, s;.."
 "Ah, those were glorious days. "Het- ,ie," he continued, turning to a girl who had just appeared at the door, "tell your mother that a distinguished gentleman will take diuner with us"
 "Now," unused, "I will get good dinner" Jus, then there came the start ling crash. The old gentleman sprang to his feet.
 "Oh, papa P exclaimed He,tie, as she rushed into the room, "the safe fell down and broke all our pretty dishes"
 My gracious, you don't say soT"
 "Yes, sir, every one is broken"
 "Mr. Singleton, this may no, seem like much of calamity, but it is, sir. Those china. But that's well enough. The greatest grief have Is in disappointing you. ] will send boy to town after more place is only ten miles distant"
 It was with difficulty that tore myself away from the colonel's hospitzble grasp, but finally succeeded. Abon. swc hours later l stopped at a humble log house, and was bountiiully supplied with food
 "l stopped at Colonel Lecdord's, ex- pecting to get dinneh but"
 Heard a cash, eh p suggested the stout farmer who sat al the opposite end of the table.
 "Yes, and as have twicc been present when all the pretty dishes were broken, hardly understand It."
 The farmer laughed.
 That old fellow would rather die than work" said he. "He has sold nearly everything in his house, even his table, cloths and dishes. Whenever a stranger happens around at meal time he hears 6 crash. A table loaded with iron and bricks Is overturned, and, at the same time, stout woman strikes the floor with bag containing pieces of circular saw and half dozen tin pans. l have seen it work. Help yourself to the shost." Just as Good for the Heathen.