The National tribune., 1901-03-14

1
| it necessary for thrHF to stop at little
1village and secure the services of black
smith. III o
Driving up to the hotel. Lewis alighted
from the wagon. while Bridgenan drove
to the blacksmitl-shop in order to have
ed the steps of the hotel he noticed a tall.
rather commanding looking gentleman
seated upon the porch, who was evidently
scrutinizing his appearance very carefully.
The stranger was Il Tfhn about GO years
of age, but remarkably well preserved,
and the lines of his face gave but little
indication of his years. There was an air
of seeming Importance about him which
impressed Lewis with the fact that he
must be one of the dignitaries of the place,
and as he approached him he very politely
raised his hat and saluted him.
| The old gentleman returned the saluta-
ton with an inquiring gaze, and Lewis,
in order to pave the way to his acquaint-
ance. invited him to partake of a drink.
which was cordially accepted. In few
minutes, under its influence, the two men
We're conversing with all the freedom of
old friends.
Lewis ascertained that his companion
was Justice of the Peace. an office of
some Importance i'll that locality. and that
the old gentleman was disposed to give to
his official position all the dignity which
a personal appreciation of his standing
demanded. In Il quiet manner Lewis at
once gave the Justice to understand his
appreciation of the honor he had received
in meeting him, and by few well-admin-
iStered batteries succeeded in completely
winning the kind regards of the old gen
tleman. Their pleasant conversation was
progressing with very favorable success,
when Sam Bridgeman drove up with the
team. having succeeded in finding a smithy
and in having the lost shoe replaced.
With a deferential, semi-military salute
he addressed Lewis:
"We are all ready. my lord" At the
mention of the title the old fellow jumped
to his feet in blank amazement, and in the
most obsequious manner, and with an air
of humility that, compared with his bom-
bastic tone of few moments before. was
perfectly ridiculous. Jerking off his hat
and placing it under his left arm, he ad-
vanced and said:
''If my lord would do me the honor to
accept my poor hospitality, l would only
be too happy to have the pleasure of his
company for dinner; my house is only
short distance off, on the road to Charles
ton, and will detain you no longer than
to rest and feed your horses, and partake
of true Southern NEAL
Lewis hesitated moment. and then re-
membering that he had represented him
self 8s travelling purely for pleasure. he
did not see how he could avoid accepting
his kind invitation.
81 have heard. sir. of the hospitable
character of the Southern gentlemen. and
| assure you | shall be most happy to
avail myself of your kindness"
The old Justice could not conceal his
pleasure at the prospect of entertaining a
live lord in his own house, and with
evident delight he accepted seat in
Lewis's carriage. He directed the way to
his dwelling, which stood back from the
road, surrounded by grove of lofty
pines, and then invited his guest within.
fntrusting the team r, to the care of
Sam and one of the servants. they en-
tered the house, and were soon engaged
in discussing the situation of affairs. both
North and South. Lewis informed the Old
Justice that his name was Henry Tracy,
of Oxford, England. and that his object
was to reach Charleston. but that he was
not aware that the country was so un-
settled, or he would not have ventured
on this trip. He then related his adven-
ture Of the day before. and commented
favOrably on the gentlemanly bearing OF
the Captain, and the manner in which he
had been treated. They indulged in pleas
ant conversation. on various topics, until
dinner was announced. IN
When they had DONG justice TO an ex-
cellent repast they. repaired to Il shaded
porch in the rear of the house, and Lewis
instructed Sam to bring out bottle of
champagne and bottle of brandy. These,
as already intimated, had been labeled
with foreign wrappers, so that the delep-
ton was complete. The brandy was
very ordinary article, and the wine of an
inferior quality, but the old gentleman
went into ecstasies over it, and under its
mellowins influence he became familiar
and confidential, and gave 10 my shrewd
operative much valuable information. FL
nally the Justice grew profusely demon
stratiye, and leaning across the table he
said:
My lord / have never tasted such
brandy rs you carry in all my life have
couple Of warm friends outside whom
have taken the liberty to send for, and
whom | know Will be delighted to see
you, and still more pleased to taste this
excellent liquor"
Certainly" replied Lewis; "bring them
in; | shall be happy to meet them"
Lewis supposed, of course, that the two
men whom he had referred to were plant
ers and neighbors, but imagine his sur
prise when the Justice returned, accom-
panied by the blacksmith and cobbier Of
the village. @
After being introduced to ''my Lord
Tracy" Lewis invited them to take a
glass with them, and with evident pleas
ure, yet with visible embarrassment. they
accepted the invitation and seated them
selves at the table.
II was now that the old gentleman grew
loquacious; he was loud and profuse in his
praises of the brandy; he asserted again
ana again that it-had never been his good
fortune TO taste such liquor, in which
encomiums the blacksmith and cobbler
heartily joined. AS the afternoon wore
away, and the present supply was ex-
hausted, Sam was dispatched after an
other bottle, and the social meeting con-
tinued until evening. Lewis was careful
as to the amount he drank, and intensely
enjoyed the whole affair The idea of the
blacksmith and cobber hobnobbing with
an English lord struck him as being so
funny that he laughed again
and again Mt the absurdity of the stua-
tion. Often during the evening he laughed
immodcratcly at what they supposed their
own jokes and wit, when he was really
thinking of the ridiculous comedy in
which he was playing the leading part.
When the hour for retiring arrived the
old man begged as 4 special favor that
he would be allowed to Keep one of the
empty bottles as memento of the occa-
sion of his lordship's dining with him and
to remind him of the pleasure he had en-
joyed of drinking some rare old imported
brandy (made in Cincinnati). The black
smith and cobbler also looked so Iongingiy
at the empty bottles before them that
Lewis could scarcely, refrain from laugh
ing heartily as he graciotisly complied with
their request for a souyenir of the occa-
sion. The evident satisfaction with which
they appropriated a bottle apiece, as they
started for home, aud their hearty thanks
as they bade him goodnight, was heartily
echoed by the old .tustice, who carefully
laid his bottle away as n sacred relic of a
anN~ to I.gf 90. l,, 49,