The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-04
ALL IN THE coLcNRLs HANDS.
Msj. Woodland Didn't Know It Was a
Resort to the Code.
From the Indianapolis Journal

From the Indianapolis Journal
Something like twelve years ago James
H Woodland, now private secretary to C. P.
Huntington, but at that time the Indiana
correspondent Of the Cincinnati Enquirer,
met with an adventure In Mobile which IL
worth retelling. Woodland told the story
himself. aud, therefore. any one ac-
quainted with him will understand
that it may be relied upon as strictly true.
At that time John r. Mclean and others
had become interested in the construction
of railroad from Mobile TO the shores of
the gulf at the entrances to Mobile bay. On
one occasion Woodland was sent down TO
look after the Interests of the northern
stockholders, expecting to remain there for
several weeks. He took quarters at one of
the leading notes.-the one which he pre-
ferred above all others on account of the
general superiority of its cuisine. He bad
been at the b tel for several days, and
everything was moving along with him to
his entire satisfaction. but one fate
full morning, when at breakfast the
waitsr set before him plate Of
fried fish, to which he was compelled to
object. 1t was not only an unsightly OBJ
jecs. but exhaled a most unsavory odor.
Judging by the smell, the fish might have
been kept over without salt from the pre-
vious seasons catch, aud, moreover, 1t had
been scorched badly in the frying. Calling
the waiter back, Woodland requested him
to remove the fish. which he did. Then,
thinking nothing more of the affair, he
went on to finish his breakfast. While
thus eng ged he was astounded at having
the Objectionable dish thrust under his nose,
accompanied by the demand from the
Irish cashier, addressed TO him in an in
sulting tone
"What hev yez to say ag'inst that feshl"
Woodland, indignant at being thus adj
dressed, replied, with some asperity that he
based his objection upon the fact that it
was unfit TO be placed on the table.
"Yez'rs too particular fer this house."
responded the cashier, as he dropped the
plate and turned away.
As he was about to rise from the table
Woodland was handed a note from the land
lord requesting him to settle his bin and
seek accommodating at some other hotel,
since it appeared his present hostelry was
not conducted in manner to suit his fas-
tidious tastes. This was a sumner. He had
special reasons for wishing TO remain at
hotel, and yet did not feel like seeking the
landlord and humbllng himself to the ex-
tent of Rpologizing. He determined to
think over the matter for a few hours be-
fore deciding. On leaving the hotel he went
directly to the office of lawyer who mad
been retained as the attorneyof the railroad
company. and was there introduced to a
gentleman somewhat past middle age, of
courtly manners and digniied appearance
whose title of 'colonel" seemed to fit him az
though he had been born and bred to it.
After short time devoted to business,
Woodland became suddenly impressed with
the thought that his friend, the attorney,
might be able to dissipate the cloud Of
trouble between himself and his landlord,
and he accordingly related the incident OF
the breakfast table. Before be had time to
say q word as to what he wanted in connec-
ton with the affair, the "colonel" broke in
upon him with
Maj. Woodland, will you do me the honor
TO place this matter In my hands9 1t will
afford me great pleasure to serve you, sir,
and feel warranted in assuring you that
you will have no cause to regret having
confded the settlement of the affair to me-
Woodland promptly assured his new
friend that he would be only too glad to ac-
cept his services, and thanked him for his
generous offer to servo a stranger.
''Say no more on that point, major" re-
sponded the colonel. "It is true that our
acquaintance is but young; but. sir, feel
have warrant for saying that any man who
has been presented to me by my friend, the
Judge here, must be gentleman; and it is
the imperative duty, as it SHOULD be the
heartfelt pleasure, Of one gentleman to
serve another" After inquiring IL Wood
ard could meet hun there at IL o'clock, aud
receiving an affirmative answer. the colonel
withdrew, aud Woodland, after finishing his
business with the uattorneY, went about his
business elsewhere. Promptly at IL o'clock
he returned to the attorneys Office. There
no IA faf rlx
beamed with satisfaction.
1T is all right. MAJOR" said he as he
caught sight OF Woodland, Everything is
satisfactory. He will apologize-amply and
abiectly. You will have no further trouble
there. He claims that the case was grossly
misrepresented, but we care nothing for
that so long as he makes his apology In be-
fitting terms"
Woodland had great difficulty in conceal
ing his establishment at the words of the
colonel, but managed to express in fitting
language his appreciation of the service
done him.
"Say nothing of that, major" replied the
colonel. This has been real pleasure 70
me. In these degenerate days, when we
find men settling their differences by resort
to the courts or to the bludgeon, it is true
delight to meet with man who still has re-
spect for the code, and it Is a genuine pleas
ure TO DeIrleuu Nun. hn not quite sure,
however, that 1t would not have been more
satisfying bad the cur shown some spirit, so
that we could have had him out" And the
colouel's voice took on faint tone of regret
as he added: And you should have shot
| him, sir, like dog"
As an understanding Of the true state of
the affair dawned upon Woodlands mind
and be realized that only the cowardice OF
the landlord mad prevented resort to the
duello he felt procession of cold chiIls
marching up and down his spine with an
| energy Of movement that compelled him TO
| drop into the nearest chair lest his knees
should begin knocking at each other and
betray to the colonel the presence OF man
with even less stomach for fight
than the landlord. When he had, by
great effort, managed 70 pun himself
| together, he accompanied the colonel to the
hotel. where the landlord made ample
apology. and gave Assurance that bis guesl
should never again have cause 20 complain
OF ungentlemanly treatment. But 1T was q
long time before Woodland could trust him
self to order fried fish for breakfast. He
bad, however. established reputation with
the colonel for courage and devotion TO the
code-and that was some compensation for
hfa eoara