The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-11-14

81 am too old, general, to think o:
taking command of even a company
said Mr.. Vernon after a moment. He
spoke with respectful thoughtfulness,
but behind his words was reserve oil
something like conscious superiority,
or, at least, of absolute self-confdence.
He folded his arms across his immense
chest, his long rife in the hollow Of
his left elbow, its butt on the floor be-.
tween his feet. "No, I prefer to fight
as an individual riheman; and, al.
though I am old, my eyes are still
good-.I shoot we'll"
"Now, what is the use, Mr.. Vernon,
of your speaking like this" demanded
Jackson, with hint of his stormy i'm.
patience in his voice. It was not of
his nature to brook resistance. care
you not going ever to cease resenting
my refusal to appoint Loring? I as
! sure you, sir, that had he been o
gentleman instead of a scoundrel, I
still had no place for him"
TIA! It is you who are fretted!
Do you imagine thatif I felt so greatly
aggrieved I should BE- here now offer
ing myself as a private soldier? If I
desired office, General Jackson, do
you feel that I could not have it with
out asking you?'
There was nothing beneath the
most superb dignity in Mr.. Vernon's
way of saying this. 1t was propoundeG
as simple question without any ring
of personal pique or of undue assump.
tion, and yet there was sudden cold,
hard CLEAN in his eyes. ~.
>"Oh, well," said Jackson, rather
haughtily and Us if dismissing fne
matter once for all, ''you must do as
you please. ,i$..,..,til.,
"I will do this" Mr.. Vernon re-
sponded, without taking any notice of
the generals mood; 81 will raise a
company at my own expense and have
it report, to you, properly equipped
and officered." . -,
Before there could be any reply to
his words, he saluted grayely and
walked out of the room. .,-i..
The entrance at this moment OF
Governor Claiborne, General Villere
and M. Tousard, the French consul,
forced Jackson's attention into new
channel; but during the interview,
which was important, his thought
kept turning back to the singular con-
terence with Mr.. Vernon. And yet
what had there really, been in it
that should impress him? Ger
tainly, the mere fact that o citizen
of New Orleans had offered himself
as a soldier was nothing peculiar
or impressive; men were doing this
every day. Moreover, what Mr.. Ver-
non had said was simple enough.
Jackson found that it was the mans
personality, the extraordinary pres
ence, the suggestion of almost i'm
measurable experience and of incom-
parable dignity, reserve, self-repres.
sion that fingered in his brain and
appealed to him in some obscure but
wonderfully potent way. 1t is cred
ible that Jackson who was man of
penetrating insight, felt that Mr., Ver-
non was type embodying the strange
spirit of this romantic creole civiliza-
,tion-that in his stalwart, massive
frame, there dwelt the composite soul
of q t}iiis wild, free, >untamable swarm
H~b Jose midst the general now found
(; r,s elf, with no eff ,ient means of
.sont ntling their natures ard warming
theif sympathies.
.yWhat did Vernon want?" Clai-
,o ,tne ventured, in his smooth way, to
IN Auire, after the immediate business
~ the interview was over.
'T"He offered his services" said Jack
son, evasively. ~.
"He did2 That is fortunate just at
this juncture. Do you know, general,
that he is the most important man in
louisiana" ;':::,%i g..
: 81 have been told that he has in :
fuence."' =. - =, -
''It is unbounded," said the French
consul. ..-.,.s 4, ...,.... .t- ~.
"Yes," added General Villere, with
quick interest, lighting cigar mean :
time, "we can count upon everything
if his hearty support can be secured
at once" ..-,s - -. q, ~ - ~
:; IT asked him to raise and lead q
company" said General Jackson. =
"Why, general. said Villere, 81
must say that you hsye blundered-
unwittingly, Of cou1ye. Fsaise and lead
a company! Yopshoula have taken
him close to yeS AZ once and made him \
a confidential! adviser"
"It was de dNe who came = with Faval,
some tims GOO and asked me to take 4
that SON ndrsI Colonel, Loring, on my
staff j ,Jackson replied dryly and with
Savage shrug of the shoulders; -.
<"He asked that? ne iaVoreo LOT
ingr' exclaimed where IN an aston
ished tone. "Increflole!
In his excitement ne spoke IN
French. and Jackson did not under.
stand his words; hut his gestures and
told os much as Ills 'an'
guage. ,....
Tho 10 idola 10 Doomed.