The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-10-17
CHAPTER XIII.
CONTINUED.

begin now."
Then he twirled a glass carelessly
and added:
General Jackson, like any other
plebeian who has risen trife above
his present associates, fancies himself
a Cesar. It would be good for him
to have his nose pulled.
"I should not care to do that piece
of pulling" said Faval, dryly; "the
nose of Andrew Jackson has the pluck
of hero behind it."
MIR. Vernon laughed; that leonine,
growing chuckle of his came forth
with a suddenness and force that fair
" Jared the table. He seemed to be
rejecting upon something thst
amused him greatly. Presently he
said:
"He dismissed US, Faval, as if he'd
been a district school-teacher and we
his rather stupid pupils"
"'If Colonel Loring desires to
fight for New Orleans" eaid Faval,
mocking General Jackson's manner,
"Iet him report to me at once with a
gun"
"When I reportto General Jackson
he'll be a very much surprised man, :"
Loring drawled, with that emphatic
slowness which sometimes means a
great deal. "My report will make his
head swim" -.
ooh, come now, said Favel, "Don't
20 too far with your resentment.
Doubtless we shall have to fight un-
der the tyrant. We can't turn our
backs"
At this moment gaunt, rough
looking stern-faced man strode into
the restaurant, his boots sounding
heavily on the floor.
"There's General Jackson now!"
said Mr.. Vernon, and the others
turned to see.
Thendeep-set eyes of the comman-
der fixed themselves quickly on Faval,
and there flashed out of them per.
ceptible glow of displeasure, as il
some sudden vexation had come al
sight of him.
The three arose from the table.
Mr.. Vernon made step forward and
saluted.
With curt but comprehensive bow
General Jackson acknowledged the at
tention of the coup. His eyes, how
ever, did not turn from Faval, though
the displeasure vanished from them
evidently by the force of will.
Colonel Loring stood with folded
arms while he gazed steadily into
General Jackson's eyes.
Mr.. Vernon extended his hand and
the commander shook it perfuncto'
rily.
u.s'May I introduce Colonel Loring,
of whom we were speaking this morn
ing?" Mr.. Vernon went on in q cor
dial tone.
"Humph" grunted Jackson. "How
do you do, sirs''
The manner and the words were
more careless and Indifferent than in
any sense malicious or purposely con-
temptuous; but, to say the least, the
ring of downright impoliteness was
unmistakabie. Tt was plain enough
that Colonel Loring's presence had
not affected the commander a whit
more pleasantly than had the sugges'
tions in his behalf by Fsval and Mr.
Vernon.
Faval made step half around the
corner of the table, as he saw some
movement on the part of Loring.
''I am quite sure, General Jack,
son." Mr.. Vernon was going on to
say. "that you and Colonel Lorine
will find it pleasant TO-"
The thought in his mind vanished
on the instant, and he stopped midway
of the sentence; but it was too late
to interpose himself, although he
tried with great promptness and de-
cision.
What followed was, perhaps, the
most astounding incident in all the
turbulent and checkered career oi
Andrew Jackson.
Loring made quick step forward,
reached forth his right hand and,
grasping tho commanders nose be.
tween his thumb and fore finger,
tveaked it and wrung it savagely.
'"Take thatp' he sneered, and then
slapped the astonished mans cheek.
"I'll report to you with a gun when ]
see fit, you conceited ruf6an."
While he was speaking, Loring had
passed briskly along, and in less than
Eve seconds he was out OF the room.
Indeed, General Jackson, quick and
decided as he always was in an emer-
gency, had not recovered from his
CONSERVATION before his assailant was
quite gone. Faval, who had way.
as most unscrupulous politicians
have, of making fsir weather for him
self just at the most critical moment,
came to the commanders defense, or
rather to his aid, with pistol which
he snatched forth and fred toward
Loring little too late to hit him; the
bullet creased the door-post.
Jackson wheeled and pursued the
retreating man. But what was the
use? He was gone. The irate COM
mander Immediately gave orders for
Loring's arrest; but he was not to be
found 80 easily.
Jackson, if he suspected that Mr..
Vernon and Faval secretly enjoyed
his discontinue, did not betray it.
The matter was hushed up in short
order, and not till many days after.
ward did the rumor go out in New
Orleans that "Old Hickory" had had
his nose pulled and his cheek slapped
xr;tbo ba;,n oh1o to Htlv rocont II