The Press., 1893-12-07
CHAPTER VI

The stage was at the door of the tav- ern, and & passenger with a deep music al voice was holding converse with the landlord concerning 8 little colt that was straddling about smallsinclosure. The driver emerged from the barroom wiping his lips.
 "Find Budses?" he asked of Gregory, recognizing him with a nod as an old acquaintance.
 "Oh, yes," young Blanchard replied, easily"
 Gregory entered the stage. AS he did so the occupant, an immense being, with more hair and more hat than most men in the northern states indulge in, drew his head in from the window and courteously endeavored to occupy less of the vehicle with his long legs, which seemed at first to fill it completely.
 As young Blanchard looked at him it dawned upon him by degrees that the gigantic presence was handsome-as handsome, he said to himself, as if he were an antique marble warmed to life. To the perfection of form was added fine skin, rich hair, bright eyes and a look of perfect health. Big as he was, the man was very young, scarcely so old." Blanchard thought, ''as I am."
 The driver climbed into his place, a friend beside him. There were no other passengers. As the stage began to lum- Der on its way the giant spoke:
 Excuse me, but you are acquainted with the Bud family, sir?" he said. q judge as much from the question Sam Reed up there put to you just now"
 ''I am very new acquaintance" said Blanchard.
 IT," said the giant, lam an old friend Any friend of theirs is a friend of mine, sir" He lifted his hat with one hand and held out the other-a member as perfect in form as it was enormous. As their hands met Gregory was conscious that he had never been shaken hands with before. In America men shake hands great deal. Gregory had expe- rienced the pump handle shake, the un- decided shake, the rcpelling shake, the thake given with a stiff elbow. as though 70 keep one at distance. He had held In his own a hand that slipped out of it like cold fish. He had felt the hot and feverish grip, the feeble wiggle and had had his hand held solemnly and deliv- cred oyer again. But now for the first time he knew what shaking hands might Ee. The immense vitality of the young giant seemed to overflow from his finger tips, with which he said, II offer you ny friendship" as in some language of he soul, and Gregory Blanchard met 1 i'm half way. To his romantic nature Lew experiences of this sort were de- Iicious.
 "Your name, sir?" queried the beauti- full giant.
 Blanchard" said Gregory.
 T am Edward La Monte from Texas" said the young man.
 T might have known you wcro from Texas" Gregory said.
 "You fatter me-" said the handsome giant, beaming on him.
 'tI have been fortunate enough to make friends in Pohatcong, and they pay me the compliment of calling me Texas Ned, sir, here among the noun tains. It is naturally gratifying-
 Il came here to see to some property left by my mothers family. MT. Bud, the father of those young ladies, had visited my parents, sir, when l was a boy. He remained month at our house, sir. When I arrived, I of course the courtesy. The father was dead, sir. The young ladies had no brother, no friend but an old invalid, most highly educated foreign gentleman, who boarded with them. And they were in need of a protector. Miss Lizzie is spirited and handsome, and something had occurred which rendered it peces- sary that some one should step forward.
 II should have been coward if had not acted a brothers part by the orphans of a man who had ueen my fathers the state of the case than went up to the hotel, called out man who at the time put up there and challenged him. We fought out yonder at daybreak. He fell. Then, as the law forbids dueling up here, I went to the authorities and gave myself up. was tried, but the verdict was justifable homicide.
 "There is only one way of fighting some things, sir; that is the duello."
 Gregory remembered the picture of the slovenly young mother swinging with her babe in the hammock under the trees, and her face, with it's mixed half bashful, half insolent, arose before him, and he felt that this squire of danes was much more chival- rous than he. It would never have oc- cured to him to couch lance for the sake of 8 girl like that even if her fa- ther had spent 10 years in his family. But he admired the giant for what he lad done and approved of the action of the jury all the same. Up here among the mountains it seemed to him that he lad met with the fate of Rip Van Win zle reversed. He had been set back not 20 but 200 years.
 He held out his hand to Texas Ned without 8 word, and again the warm ouch thrilled him. Gregory was one who cried "Bravo!' with the Italians at the opera, and was made at least tempo 'arily patriotic by the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner" and the warlike ramp of a marching regiment. He was. n fact, emotional. However, the sub- ect was not one to be continued, and he 1t.
 "The youngest Miss Bud has spoken 70 you of her book, no doubt?''
 ,"No, sir," said Texas Ned, "she has 1ot honored me with her confidence re- yarding her work, but Miss Lizzie told me she was writing one."
 ''She has written very fine novel," said Gregory.
 The Bostonian who hears that some one yet unknown to fame has written novel is apt to grin satirically. The southerner accords to such an announce ment a grave attention incompatible with smiles. MT. La Monte simply replied:
 ''She is avery talented young lady. l know that she can make wax flowers, and understand she can speak French and German"
 My business with her was to make her the offer of our firm," said Gregory.