The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1896-02-14

gro gledmcu Tie
white Doric columns of the house OF
Justice.
Caleb was the most bedecked old ne
gro to be seen out of Congoland. He
wore tall white hat, blue frock coat
some 20 brass buttons adorned that
coat-a steel chain presumably for
watch he wore), a chain that crossed
his breast four times. Sundry charms
and bangles dangling about him give
him an appearance imposing as that OF
a Knight of the Garter. This was his
usual attire. He felt that such elabora-
tion of toilet was due his position; he
was general sweeper and cleaner OF
these Offices and this house of justice.
He rang the great bell when courts
were in session. He fed the flock of
pigeons that lowered about the court
house belfry and the Jail tower. Mani
fold as his duties were, he had COM
parative leisure now; even commission
ers' court was adjourned. He sat bnsl
ing in the pleasant afternoon sun, look
ing with unflagging interest down the
vista of old shops and new-set young
water oaks.
In front of one shop sat his quondam
owner, sometime employer, and always
his object of devotion. Very old and
worn looked the major in the bright
light that fell over him. His neatly
brushed clothes were very shabby, his
handsome old face and military air
were very imposing. His rattan stick
and his cork leg were rested out on a
splint-bottomed chair before him. His
gestures, as he talked to the group of
gentlemen about him, were excited.
He was probably telling a story Of the
war, possibly telling the same story for
the Tooth time. Caleb was trying to
match the excited gestures with his
own experience, and 10 guess at the
particulars of the story; for he had
followed young Travis Calvert through
fighting, wounding and imprisonment.
His efforts after the thread of the story
were interrupted, however, by the rCll-
Ing of handsome carriage between
him and his master. Down went the
majors cork leg, up the majors stiff
body, of the majors soft hat; and just
20 often as lady passed, or driving or
ly was the majors story interrupted.
In the present instance the lady was
Miss Lorena Banks, fair, fat and much
over 40. Her carriage drew up at the
post office, too far for either Caleb or
the major to hear the fdgety inquiries
after the Woman's Work, that came al
ways, or nearly always, on a Wednes-
day; the Lofty Choir Weekly, that
failed to come last evening; and the
Portrayer of Fashion, that must be in
the office now, and must be searched
for.
Though Caleb could not hear the
sharp tones, he could note very well
the gloss and elegance of the eouipage.
From his smattering knowledge of
deeds, titles, rent notes, crop liens and
the like, he knew very well the goodly
amount of the lady's income. Some
thing, maybe the time OF the year, may
be the insistent odor of yiolets in the
air, maybe the red glow of the camellia
Japonicas on the coats of the university
boys as they sauntered by him, them
selves glowing with youth and bright
ness, every four out of five smiling over
valentine; anyhow. something set
Caleb thinking of the long ago. 1t was
of '61, the 18th of February, and Bit
terly cold in that intrenched camp,
called by grace Fort Donaldson, Grant
threatened by land. Commodore Fcote
by water. To help in the land attack.
unexpected and unprepared for. until
the fall of Fort Henry. the soldiers