The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-11-02

| yOu! 10 d6heu A0Artlly a. u0pIOCoeuet
to refill and light his pipe.
1t was evident that he had mistaken
mn xor some one else, and I was in tha
frame Of mind that I humored the mis-
take.
| GIVE never felt better. How is il
woA youi'
| "Tollyble, tolIyble +; I can't complain
The old woman is troubled with thu
rheumatic, but otherways she's as well
as ever"
"And your boys and girls?"
"My boys and girls" he repeated,
turning his bewhiskered face toward me
with an expression Of establishment.
"Have you forgot that Tom and Mag
BuIfinch buried their last chick during
wartimesr'
II beg pardon; I ought to have
known better"
II s'pose it's cause you've been
away fur some time," ventured the
landlords crony.
"That must be It," fastened to add.
"Of course," remarked my host.
" Squire Gager Is purity gin rally right
bout such things. Did you leave your
father we'll, Hank?''
"Quite well, thank you"
"Ain't married ag'in, eh:''
"No; I think there's no likelihood Of
that"
"Folks round here said as how be
was getting quite sweet on Wilder Per.
kins, up that way"
"Oh, he has always been friendly
with her, but I don't think either of
them has any idea Of marrying, though
should be pleased to see SO suitable
match"
"They'd make a likely team. The
wilder has some property and no chill
dren, while you be the only one belong.
ing to your father, and I reckon you're
old 'nough to look after yourself, eh,
Hank?"
II should be ashamed if were not"
cts quar- bout Major Hugh Beyer,"
remarked Squire eager. "He made
splendid record in the war under Joe
Johnston, but he acts as If he was
'shamed Of it, fur you know he won't
let any Of US call him major when he
oughter been gin raj"
IF my father had reached that rank
or had become even colonel, ! suspect
he would not object to the title, but
there isn't much in a simple major. +"
It will be admitted that was pick
ing up information. I had learned that
I was supposed to be Hank Boyer, son
Of Major Hugh Boyer, who lived some
where in the neighborhood. My com.
panions were Squire eager and Land
lord Tom Bulfinch, whose wife's name
was Mag, and they had no living chill
dren. Moreover, my father was suspect.
ed Of holding matrimonial intentions
toward a certain Widow Perkins.
All this was interesting, but not
equal to that which speedily followed.
That old age is entitled to certain privi-
leges was proved by the next remark Of
the landlord, who removed his pipe
from his mouth and asked with q
chuckle:
"And how's Esther?''
The question was startling one, and
but for what he had said few minutes
before l should have suspected he re.
ferred to sister or relative, but it was
clear that he had tenderer relation in
mind. blushed and answered offhand,
with light laugh:
"She's as blooming as a peach, the
queen Of her sex."
"A right likely gal and no mistake"
was the hearty comment Of the squire.
"She'll have a fine plantation when the
colonel drops out"
It seemed now that the farce had
gone far enough, and I was on the point
Of breaking into ringing laughter and
assuring my friends that I was not only
not Hank Boyer, but had not the re.
hottest idea Of the personality of the
young gentleman, whom I had never
seen or heard Of until that afternoon,
but these delightful old fellows oozed
knowledge so fast that it was delicious
to drink it in.
However, l could not forget was
A"'oAounAJ hua6AJ, A"Fih6 9oloA AoeA-
ing since leaving the old inn at South
field that morning. I therefore asked
the landlord how soon it would be con.
venient for him to furnish me with
meal.
"I'll see, " he replied, passing through
the door on his right and returning in
q few minutes with the welcome words:
"You can go in now. We hain't
much to give you, but hope it'll suit.
I'll take your valise and umbrella up
stairs to your room, and you can wash
there in the corner"
1t takes rough experience like mine
had been to appreciate true southern
The meal Of pone, corn
bread and bacon, with fragrant coffee,
was one Of the most enjoyable Of my
life, for it was seasoned with the most
powerful Of all sauces-hunger. Aunt
Meg, as she was called by all, was q