Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-08-07

reckin, as the writin' of the book might
be more interestin' to you than the read
in If it would be TO anybody else"
Doubtless" retorted the young law
yer, ''you are right. Some dull trade
plodder might attempt t. spill it out and
bruise his alleged mind on unlooked-for,
sharp corners"
"Young fellow, what Is your name!"
the intruder asked; and the young fell
low, never afraid to make himself known,
answered:
81 am George Miles, sir"
"Ah, hah George Miles. Where do
you ive?"
Nashville, sir.
"Ah, hah! known that town putty
we'll. Invent along with the army some
little durin' the war, and bought up the
hides of the cattle that were killed for
the soldiers, and made pretty good
thing out of it in the Nashville market.
I used to know an old soap boiler there
named Josh Miles. Any kin to him?"
The ladies Uttered, and the old fell
low looked at them in establishment,
knowing that he had not uttered witt
cism.
~ never heard of your friend Miles,
said the lawyer, ''although he might
have made fair article of soap"
pity for you then, I reckon, as all
men were cleaner for havin' knowed old
Josh" The men laughed, the ladies
Uttered again, and the old fellow, con-
scious this time that he must have said
something to the point, bowed his &C
acknowledgements. Just then his daugh
ter appeared, standing in a door.
"Father," she called, 81 am ready"
81 am ready, too" he answered, and
withdrew with clumsy haste.
That evening, while Miles and several
other men sat under a tree, smoking,
the old fellow came out with an enor-
nous cigar in his mouth and "squashed"
himself down on bench.
"Boys," said he, breaking into the
conversation, "I'm gittin' so 1 ruther
like this here one-hoss place. l did
think that it would be little too much
for me to stay out here, and [ want
keen to come nuther, but Minnie set
her heart on it and away we come. My
name is Beck"
No one said any thing, and Mr.. Beck
continued: 81 reckon I've done about
as much hus'lin in my time as the most
Of men. Twas pore boy, but instead
of fooln' away my time with books l
went to work and amt sorry for it. [
have noticed, in my knockln' round,
that money is putty nigh the boss. 1t
may not be happiness in itself, but
without it there amt very much enjoy
ment. Larnin' may command the re-
spect of the few, but money employs the
services of the many, and to challenge
the complete respect of men you must
make 'em serve you"
81 don't know but you are right" said
one of the men.
cot course Pm right, and what is the
use of people shuttin' their eyes against
the fact, or ruther pretenuin' that they
do? know that there's sort of re-
spectability, or mout say aristocracy
that money sometimes amt got, but just
wait awhile and money'll git it all right. "
"What business are you in?" some one
asked.
"Wel, amt in any business now
have retired you might say. I made my
money in different sorts of speculation
and have got it we'll invested, DRAWN {
fust-rate interest. live in Georgia anc
am putty much at home when I'm there,
1 can tell you. My wife has been dead
good while, and about all I've got to
look after is the enjoyment of my daugh'
ter. Her will is law with me and am
straightforward enough to say right here,
or right anywhere, for that matter, that
the man who wins her love will be for
tunate. There's about two hundred
thousand dollars waitin' for him."
George Miles looked up quickly and
with.a sheer, said: 81 wouldn't MARI.
her three hundred thousand"
The old man seized his cane, which ne
had leaned against the bench and, spring
ing to his feet glared at Miles, who
without changing his position, sa
placidly smoking.
"Do you mean to insult me, sirF
Beck roared.
"Not in the least" Miles answered
"When [ want to insult a man hit hin
and then insult him afterward. You
had, without interruption, expressed
your opinion, and 1 merely expressed
mine. You introduced your daughter
name in way not only unnecessary tt
the force of your former statement con
corning the power Of money, but with
narrow minded vulgarism that was dis
pusting. If you want to strike me, d.
so, l have said nothing in bellttle men
of the Young LADY, said that wouldn'
: marry her for three hundred thousand
and I wouldn't; not that she is no