The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-23

to military affairs for even single hour.
Think I'll run down there next winter and
become colonel myself"
This bantering talk was not pleasant 10
Lamar and he drew himself up rather
haughtily as he prepared a crushing re-
Spouse.
But his crusher was never delivered.
Before he could open his mouth Greeley
address him again.
And so you are from Georgia, colonel2
l wonder II YOU belong to that family OF
Lamars who have been notorious for gen.
erations as pirates and slave traders? ]
mean the Lamars who came over here
from the other side of the sea to secure
liberty for themselves and deny 1t to 9TH
ers-the Lamars who tried to build up
an aristocracy with slavery for its corner
stone-the Lamars who stole negroes from
Africa and landed them In this country
the Lamars who dehed our constitution
and laws-the Lamars who caused a Geor-
gia grand jury to indict me because some
copies of my paper were circulated in
that state? Do you belong to that fam
lily of slave dealers and rebels?"
1t was impossible to interrupt the speak
er while he was pouring out this torrent
of questions, and the Georgian was SO
much surprised that he temporarily lost
his self-possession.
Astonishment and anger struggled for
TO decide whether he should answer OF
fight or take a dignifed departure, when
the Tribune editor broke into a genial
laugh, and a flood Of sunshine seemed to
leap from his eyes
'Ha, ha!" he laughed. "Took you by
surprise, didn't I? Well, I guess that you
Lamars are among the brainest and brav-
est of the whole lot. How are you getting
on down in Georgian"
Forgetting his wrath Of n moment bo-
fore, Lamar replied that the people of the
entire south were in hard luck and many
of them were suffering.
stop playing poker and drinking so
much champagnep snapped Greeley
sharply. You fellows must give up your
vices and your eXtravagant ways and set
tie down to hard work and hard economy
BY this time the visitor had found his
tongue. He was just angry enough tc
| talk eloquently and with the proper spirit
For nearly an hour he defended his Sec
ton and explained the situation as he
viewed It, and from time TO time the
great editor nodded approvingly or asked
a question showing his deep interest In
| the subject and his willingness to hear
the other side of the question.
When Lamar had finished he rose &c
| leave, still regrettiug that he had ever
| seen the inside of the Tribune office.
But the sunny-faced Old man who stood
| looking at him with a kindly light IN ms
| honest eyes was altogether different from
the eccentric person who had made him
| self so disagreeable n short time before,
Lamar l like YOU" said the philosopher
In his hearty way, "and II | can do any
thing to advance your interests while yot
are in the city, or at any time, just let me
know. l would like to help you"
The ex-confederate thanked him in 6
bewildered way and after a cordial hand
| shake left the Office feeling Ike a mar
who was recovering from a crazy dream
when / reached the street" said La
| mar i'm relating the story, 81 pinched my
| self to make sure that / was awake.
| walked about two miles thinking the mat
ter over and trying to decide whether
had done right in not resenting Greeley''
! offensive remarks. / recalled the man.
| things that / had heard about his eccen
| tricities, and ! came to the conclusion tina
| he was an exceptional character, and no
| to be judged by ordinary rules. | neve
saw him again, but ! shall always thinl
| of him as man with a big heart and I
wise head. His rough tongue hurt hin
more than 1t did others, because 1t mad
4 him misunderstood. There was not tn
1 slightest spite or malice In what he sal
| about the Lamars. 1t was just his od
way of drawing me out and sizing me up.
Lamar followed Greeley over the darl
river some years ago and no southern
| Journalist has since appeared who can b
! regarded as his equal In the field of worl
| in which he distinguished himself.