Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-01-06


made estimates. and they were fonow
ed by painters and carpenters ana u
borers, who began to repair the oil
family mansion. and to surround thu
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 cut
doors watching the work and making
occasional suggestions. The new cabinr
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
was always valuable.
One day a brisk, prepossessing younf
man stepped into the Talb0ttom post
Office.
ANY letters here for Willie Smith,"
he asked.
mo. she called after them not al
hour ago"
''She" curiously.
"Yes. Generally her man Tobe gets
them, but she happened to be In town
this morning. You're one of the men
working out there, suppose"
mo, not exactly"
He left the postoffice and walked
across the street to the bank.
HAS Willie Smith presented a check
here for $4,000 recently?" he asked.
Miss Willie Smith has," replied the
cashier.
Il beg your pardon. I meant Miss
get in the habit Of dropping ceremony"
The old cashier looked at him
thoughtfully.
so you are a westerner, are you?"
he asked.
81 was. but expect to be a 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 l
made my Pile 1 concluded to come
down here and look around: and IL l
liked the place to stay permanently"
The cashiers face cleared instantly.
"GoodT' he exclaimed. You can't
help liking such a grand country. All
1t lacks is money and energy. But what
part of the West are you frOmT
, 'Leadville, Col"
"Ah, began to suspect II. You have
been connected with the house Of Wal
dron & Co.. and called In to see II the
check reached It's destination all
right" He came from behind the coun-
ter and took the young mans hand
warmly. II am right glad to see you,
sub. Yo' house never sent out a better
check than that in all its life. Miss
Willie has paid off a mortgage on her
planta ton, and Is making wonderful
improvements. suh-wonderful! And
do you know" lowering his voice, ''if
II hadn't been for that check l achally
believe she'd been forced to 60 of 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 1 wouldn't have been
half as much pleased. Miss Willie's a
| fine girl-a gem in a land that Is full
| of Jewels You must excuse my enthu-
siasm. suh," alphabetically, but in .
sort of way yo' house seems to have
had a hand In the good fortune. But
come into my private room and Wen
! talk over the country. You're to be one
of us now. and maybe I can give you
some points on buying a place, And
I'll tell you about Miss Willie and her
plans" Here a new thought seemed to
strike him. How'd you like to 60 out
and see her yo'self?" he asked abruptly.
I'VE close early, and I generally go
thnt way for a walk. She'll be glad to
see anyone from Waldron & Co."
Nothing would please me better"
every we'll You'll take dinner with
me. and If 1 can be of any assistance
/ in you plans do not hesitate to use me.
Now, there's the Calhoun plantation.
Joins Miss Willie and just now can be
had for a song. And. really, it's the
best thing you can do In the whole
country. But you haven't told me 20
name yet. suh"'
"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 q
Smith"
He led the way into his private room
and motioned the young man to az
Easy chair by an open window. Then
be 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 -he Calhoun planta-
ton. But when they returned, late In
the evening. 1t had wholly disappeared.
Miss Willie is an exceptionally fine
girl" he said, with suppressed enthusi-
asm, land IL I 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 1t.
could not have planned the improve
ments better myself. Miss Willie told
me she wanted to plant trees along her
bank Of the river. which runs between
the two plantations, and that 1t would
/ be nice If the owner on the other side
could be induced to do the same. Are
you sure the place can be boushtT'
abruptly.
"The Calhoun place? Certainly. and
/ for a song"
well, I want 1t. l suppose It's too
late to get 1t tonight" regretfully; "but
| II you'll arrange for Its purchase early