The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-12-18

some necessary repairs. The rest will
deposit with you. And-and suppose
you let me have check book; 1t Will
be more convenient"
The next few hours were momentous
ones in the young girls life. The mort
gage was paid, and visits were made
to grocery and HARDWARE and seed
stores, and to painters and carpenters
and stone masons; and before she went
home a check was on it's way to the
principal of her school at Staunton.
In the morning men came out and
made estimates, and they were follow
ed by painters and carpenters and Ia
borers, who began to repair the old
family mansion, and to surround the
neglected fields with substantial fences
and to build new cabins under the mag
nificent live oaks that grew along one
side of the plantation.
Willie spent most of her time out
doors watching the work and making
occasional suggestions. The new cabins
were surrounded by generous truck
patches, and when they were finished
she was careful to rent them only to
Industrious, reliable negroes. In this
she was greatly assisted by the cashier,
who came out frequently to watch the
progress of the work and whose advice
was always valuable.
One day a brisk. prepossessing young
man stepped into the Talbottom post
office
ANY letters here for Willie Smith?"
he asked.
mo. she called after them not an
hour ago"
"She?" curiously.
eyes. Generally her man Tobe gets
them, but she happened to be in town
this morning. You're one of the men
working out there, l SuppoSe"
'No, not exactly"
He left the postoffice and walked
across the street to the bank.
HAS Willie Smith presented check
here for $4,000 recently?" he asked.
Miss Willie Smith has," replied the
cashier.
81 beg your pardon. meant Miss
Willie Smith. You see, out West, we
get in the habit of dropping ceremony"
The old cashier looked at : him
thoughtfully.
$50 you are Westerner, are you?"
he asked.
Il was, but expect to be Southerner
now," said the young man frankly.
MY mother left this country nearly
thirty years ago. but have often heard
her describe her old home. When |
made my pile l concluded to come
down here and look around; and if l
liked the place to stay permanently"
The cashiers face cleared instantly.
"Goodr' he exclaimed. You can't
help liking such a grand country. All
it lacks is money and energy. But what
part of the West are you from?'
"Leadville, Col"
"Ah, began to suspect it. You have
been connected with the house of Wal
dron & Co.. and called in to see if the
check reached it's destination all
right" He came from behind the coun-
ter and took the young mans hand
warmly. Il am right glad to see you,
sub. Yo' house never sent out better
check than that in all its life. Miss
Willie has paid off a mortgage on her
plantation, and is making wonderful
improvements, suh-wonderful! And
do you know" lowering his voice, ''if
it hadn't been for that check 1 achally
believe she'd been forced to go off and
look for work-achally forced, suh."
Indeed! That would have been too
bad" said the young man, "but-"
There's no but now," interrupted
the cashier cheerfully. 'Her futures
as clear as a June sky. If I'd received
the check myself l wouldn't have been
half as much pleased. Miss WilRe's a
fine girl-a gem in land that is full
of jewels. You must excuse my enthu-
siasm. suh," apologetically, 'but in a
sort of way yo' house seems to have
had a hand in the good fortune. But
come into my private room and We'll
talk over the country. You're to be one
of us now. and maybe 1 can give you
some points on buying place. And
I'll tell you about Miss Willie and her
plans.',' Here a new thought seemed to
strikelhim. How'd you like to go out
and see her yo'self?" he-asked abruptly.
I'VE close early, and l generally go
that way for walk. She'll be glad to
see anyone from Waldron & Co."
Nothing would please me better"
VERY we'll You'll take dinner with
me, and if l can be of any assistance
in you plans do not hesitate to use me-
Now, there's the Calhoun planta ton.
Joins Miss Willie and just now can be
had for q song. And, really, it's the
best thing you can do in the whole
country But you haven't told me yo'
name yet. suh!'
'Smith-er. Call me Hamilton Smith,
"a good name, suh-a good name.
We have Smiths in every county in the
South, but tell them a good thing can
not be too common. My mother was
Smith"
He led the. way into his private room
and motioned the young man to an
easy chair by an open window. Then
he settled himself in an easy chair and
gave a glowing picture of the Calhoun
plantation.
The young man said little, but on his
face was an expression of mingled
amusement and indecision. And this
amused indecision remained with him
and even appeared in his voice until
they went out to the Calhoun planta-
ton. But when they returned, late in
the evening, it had wholly disappeared.
Miss Willie is an exceptionally fine
girl" he said, with suppressed enthusi-
asm, land if l am not mistaken the
community will yet be proud of her
plantation. She seems to have the fac
ulty of Knowing just what she wants
and just how to go about doing it.
could NOT hava n11Onod tho iDDroVa-