The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-20
AN AFFAIR OF HONOR.

eUOppcO dU OHC 6GdU1OA dd0 WV JouhS 1ICh
got out One of them was tall, with dark
hair and pleasant features. the other of
medium height, with light hair and bright
blue eyes, while his whole air and his jolly
expression bespoke mischievous dispo-
sition and a readiness to enter into any
sport whatever. They walked along the
dusty road leading from the depot, con-
versing gayly, until they came to one of
those old fashioned Virginia mansions.
with its garden and its stoop and guar
tiers" at the back.
Here they were met by an old darky and
two or three young ones, who greeted them
effusively, and grabbing their valises es-
corted them into the house A very pleas
ant lady, little beyond the prime of life,
embraced the tall young man and kissing
him, fondly welcomed her son back to his
home, then turning to the other, said,
"Mr. Minton, I am indeed glad to see that
Don was as good as his word and brought
you home with him; and while you are
with us, both Margaret and I, as well as
Don, will do all in our power to make your
visit as agreeable as possible"
Thank you, Mrs. Ashburn; it seems
splendid to see you all again, and 1 know
l shall have fine time. How's Miss Mar
garet? Haven't seen her, you know, since
last summer at the springs. Pve seen
pictures of her in Don's room at the uni
versity, but they never do her justice.
Here she is now-awfully glad to see you,
Miss Margaret" and his blue eyes bright
ened, while his whole face lighted up with
pleasure. Margaret, a pretty girl of nine
teen, greeted him cordially, and, having
given her brother loving welcome. asked
the boys a perfect string of questions about
what had happened since they had last met,
to which they gave ever ready answers,
especially Jack, who was in the seventh
heaven of contentment. Thus the time
passed pleasantly until the tea bell rang.
Don Ashburn had just finished his senior
year at Yale and Jack Minton, one of his
classmates, whom his mother and sister
had met at the White Sulphur Springs the
previous summer, had come to Virginia
with him to make little visit before the
two parted to set out upon their life's ca
reer. Jack certainly was an agreeable
companion and could keep a whole room
full in gale of merriment, recounting his
adventures or his narrow escapes from the
penalties Of college life; while his pranks
often caused infinite trouble to his poor
professors, yet they never created the
slightest ill feeling against him, simply
because you couldn't get mad with him.
Though Don was of much quieter tenn
permanent yet he became warmly attached
to his frolicsome friend, and finally the
two were inseparable. Jack was Don's
senior by one year, his age being twenty
three.
A thau in tho 1ibrorr oftor fo1ly-
ing with Mrs. Ashburn and Margaret, the
old darky who had escorted them in when
they arrived brought them lemonade, for
it was June and the weather was very
warm, and his appearance and manners
somewhat excited the curiosity of Jack
Minton, who was a northern fellow and
unused to colored service of the old Vir-
ginia type. When the old man had retired
Mrs. Ashburn said srnilingly: 81 see you
were gazing at Uncle Reuben with admir-
ing eyes, Mr.. Minton. He is. good old
servant and when, after the war, he could
have left us, he preferred to stay at the old
house and still wait upon the table, which
duty he has performed since his eleventh
year, before was born, when my mother
owned him. We are all very fond of him,
and don't know what Don would do here
without old Uncle Reuben" As she fin
ished speaking she beckoned to Don, and,
excusing herself, went out into the garden
with her son, to have that tete-a-tete so
dear to mothers when their boys come back
from college.
OF course Jack and Margaret did not
mind being left alone at all They chatted
pleasantly together, Jack amusing Marga-
ret by his droll stories, she telling him Of
her home life until mention of Uncle
Reuben was made. Then Margaret said;
I'VE only have one trouble with Uncle
Reuben. He and old Uncle Remus, the
gardener, both old slaves who have staid
with us, arn't on speaking terms. All
sorts of unpleasant things happen, and try
as we may, we cannot make those two old
men become friends Their grandchildren
get into the most dreadful fights, and then
we have to go out and talk and scold, and
mother is cross for a day or two after, and
the two old men complain of each other,
and-and it's just awful. And we are
very fond of both the old darkies too"
What's the matter? Why don't they
become friendsf" asked Jack.
at all happened about eight years ago,
two years after papa died, answered Mar
garet "One night Mr.. Warburton's
chicken coop was robbed, and for long
time no clew could be found an 70 who did
il. Mr.. Warburton, whose farm adjOins
ours, suspected, | think, Uncle Remus, but
DE at first made no effort to question the
DID man. When he did, however, he got
20 satisfaction, and then he sought out
Uncle Reuben. Uncle Reuben. who is as
honest as the day is long, expressed him
self rather too freely, and Mr. Warburt0n
had the matter Investigated, finally reliev
ng both darkies from suspicion, but I'm
rle Reuben vowed Uncle Remus had sent
Mr.. Warburton to him, and a tremendous
quarrel ensued, and-wel, they're worse
than the Montagues and Capulets"
HIN" unused Jack al think" he said
after moments reflection, Il think l can
heal their wounded spirits. ! am sure
yes, quite sure-that when | am through
with them they viii be good friends Have
your permission to try: l Twill, promise
you, do no harm"
Indeed, if you can stop this incesssnt
lusrreling," said Margaret, we shall be
,nly TOO grateful to you, Mr.. Mutton"
"Wiu you thank me very much. Miss
Margarets" ne asked earnestly.
From the bottom OF my heart" she an
swered. and Jack declared it should be
done, If il took him year.
Subsequent mornings, while Margaret
was at work in the house, Jack would
walk about the garden and converse vi, 4
Uncle Remus. Ever 90 shooting around
/ here'" he questioned one morning. about
week after his arrival "Sho0rins' az
swered Uncle Remus- 4 amt nebbez
leched gun sence | bin BON. Dey's 2
dang rous weep'n, Marss JACK. dey's 3
Gang,rnus MeSniu I'se mos scarf az de