Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-13
AN AFFAIR OF HONOR.
WRITTEN EXCLUSIVELY FOB THE EVENING
STAR BY RODNEY CLARKE.

WRITTEN EXCLUSIVELY FOB THE EVENING
STAR BY RODNEY CLARKE
The sun shone brightly upon little village
in Virginia as the train from the north stopped
at the station and two young men 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 mischiev-
Gus disposition and readiness to enter into
any sport whatever. They walked along the dusty
road leading from the depot, conversing gaily,
until they came to one Of those old-fashioned
Virginia mansions, with its garden and its stoop
and quarters" at the back. Here they were
met by an old darby and two or three young
ones, who greeted them effusively, and, grab
bling their valises, escorted them into the house.
A very pleasant lady, little beyond the prime
OF life, embraced the tall young man, and, kiss
ing him, fopdly welcomed her son back to his
home; then turning to the other, said: "Alr.
Minton, am indeed glad to see that Don was
as good as his word and brought youhome with
| him; and while you are with us, both Margaret
| and /, as well as Don, will do all in our power
| to make your visit as agreeable as possible"
Thank you, Mrs. Ashburn; it seems SPLEEN
did to see You all again: and know / shall have
q fine time. How's Miss Margaret Haven't
| seen her, you know, since last summer at the
springs. I've seen pictures Of her in Don's
room at the university, but they never do her
justice. Here she is now-awfully glad to
yGu ass TS and b hi: sos
lighted up with pleasure. Margaret, pretty
girl Of nineteen, greeted him cordially, and
having given her brother loving welcome,
asked the boys 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 pleas
antly until the tea bell rang.
Don Ashburn had just finished his senior
| year at Yale and Jack Minton, one of his class
mates, whom his mother and sister had met at
the White Sulphur Springs the previous sum-
mer. had come to Virginia with him to make
| little visit before the two parted to set out
upon their ife's career. Jack certainly was an
agreeable companion and could keep q
whole room full in a 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 tempera-
ment yet he became warmly attached to
his frolicsome friend, and finally the two were
lnseparable. Jack was Don's senior by one
year. MS age Deln8 twenty-three.
AS they sat In the library after tea talking
with Mrs. Ashburn and Margaret, the old darby
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
unused to colored service of the Old Virginia
type. When the old man had retired Mrs.
Ashburn said, smilingly, Il see you were gaz-
ing at Uncle Reuben with admiring 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 per-
formed 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 finished speaking she beckoned to Don,
and, excusing herself, went out into the gar
den with her son, to have that tete-a-tete so
dear to mothers when their boys come back
from college.
or course JACK and Margaret did not mind
antly together, Jack amusing Margaret BY his
droll stories. she telling him of her home life,
until mention OF Uncle Reuben was made.
Then Margaret said: 1--WE only have one trou-
BILE with Uncle Reber. He and old Uncle
Kemus, the gardener, both old slaves who have
stayed with us, aren'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 day or two after. and the two old
men complain of each other. and-and it's Just
awful And we arc very fond Of both of the
old darkes. too
WHATS the matter? WIZ don't they be-
come friends?" asked Jack.
1T all happened about eight years ago, two
years after papa died. answered Margaret
''One night Mr.. Warburtons chicken coop was
robbed, and for long time no clue could be
found as to who did it. Mr.. Warburton, whose
farm adjo1ons ours, suspected, / think, Uncle
Remus, but he at first made no effort to ques-
ton the old man. When he did. however, he
got no satisfaction, and then he sought out
Uncle Reuben. Uncle Reuben, who is as honest
as the day is long, expressed himself rather
too freely and Mr. Warburton had the matter
investigated, finally relieving both darkies from
suspicion, but Uncle Reuben vowed Uncle Be
mus had sent Mr.. WarburtOn to him, and ire
mendOus quarrel ensued, and-well, they're
worse than the Montagues and Capulets."
III m" unused Jack. 81 think, " he said after
moments reflection, II think can heal their
wounded spirits; am sure, yes, quite sure,
that when l am through with them they
will be good friends. Have l your
permission to try2 will, promise you, do
no harm"
Indeed. if you can stop this incessant quar-
reling,'' said Margaret. we shall be only too
grateful to you. Mr.. Minton.''
'.Will you thank me very much. Miss
Margaret he asked earnestly.
From the bottom of my heart, she answered,
and Jack declared it should be done. if it took
him year.
Subsequent mornings, while Margaret was at
work in the house. Jack would walk about the
garden and converse with Uncle Remus. Ever
go shooting around here?' he questioned one
morning, about q week after his arrival
'ShoOtin'," answered Uncle Remus. 81 amt
nebber teched o gun sence bin bon. Dey's
a dang rous weep'n, Marse Jack, dey's q dang
rous weep'n. Pse mos scarf at de look oh
one"
Don't Don ever shoot?' asked Jack '.Marse
Don shoot! Wall he go by hisser. sometimes,
but ncbber has nuthin to do wi guns. Dey's
de invention OF de debbil. tink.'
Have a game Of tennis, Jack?'' said Don,
who had just come up, and upon reply in the
affirmative, the two proceeded toward the ten
mis- court, which was laid out little back of the
house.
Margaret came out to watch them play, and
when at the end of three sets Jack came out
victor, she applauded loudly and gave him a
bouquet OF roses, which mark of attention
quite turned his head. Don, who was rather
a knowing sort Of fellow, left them to-
gether, and upon Jacks proposition to
walk they proceeded toward little
grove Of oak situated at the far end of the
garden. How are you getting on with the
two old darkies, Mr.. Minton?" asked Mar
garet "First-rate." answered Jack; "rve got
to pump Uncle Reuben little, but think l
can manage 1t all right am going to suc.