The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-03-04
CHAPTER IS.
THE ONE

CASTOR was feeling blue from the re-
action which followed his temptation by
Mcleod. His duty was clear the night
before as he walked firmly homeward.
recalling the tragedy of the past. Now
in the cold light of day, the past seemed
Tar away and unreal. The present was
near, pressing, vital. He laid down a
book he was trying to read, locked his
office and strolled down town to see Tom
Camp.
This old soldier had come to be a sort
of oracle to him. His affection for the
son of his Colonel was deep and abiding
and his extravagant f1attery Of his tai
ents and future were SO evidently sincere
they always acted as a tonic. And he
Leeded a tonic today.
Tom was seated in a chair in his yard
under a big cedar, working on a basket,
ing at his feet.
TON, I'm blue and heartsick. I've come
down to have you cheer mo UP a little
said CASTOR.
you've got the blues? Well that is a
ioke'' cried Tom. you, young and
handsome, the best educated man in the
county. the finest orator IN the State, lite
all before you, and God film the world
today with sunshine and spring flowers,
and all for you! You blue, That is a
joke" And Toms voice rang in hearty
laughter.
Come here, Flora, and kiss me, you
won't laugh at me, will you?"
The child climbed up into his lap.
slipped her little arms around his neck
and Rugged and kissed him.
II low you, Charlie she said with
quaint seriousness.
do you, dear? Well. that makes me
glad. If | can win the love of as pretty
a little girl as you, I'm not a failure, am
r. And he smoothed her curls.
Tom paused and looked at CASTOR.
You weren't here when | came to the
end Of the world, that time when that
baby was horn, and Annie died with the
little red bundle sleepin' on her breast.
The oldest girl was murdered by Legree's
Llgger soldiers Then Annie give me that
little gal. Lord l was the happiest old
fool that ever lived that day"
tom, you make ne asnamcd.''
With you, boy, it's all plain sail'n'.
You're the best looking chap in the coun-
ty. I was a dandy when l was young.
1t does me good to look at you if you
don't care nothin' about fine clothes. Then
you're as sharp as a razor. There amt
a man in Moth Caliny that can stand
up agin you on the stump. I've heard
EN- all. You'll be the governor of this
Stato,"
That was always the climax of Toms
Prophetic fattery. He could think of no
srander end Of a human life than to
crown it in the governors palace of North
Carolina. He belonged to the old days
when it was a bigger thing to be the
Governor of a great State than to hold
any office short o: the Presidency.
Tom, you've lifted me out of the
dumps. / owe you a doctors fee" cried
CASTOR with enthusiasm as he placed
Flora back on the grass and started to
his office.
All | charge you is to come again. The
old mans proud of his young friend. You
make me feel like I'm somebody in the
old world after all. And some day when
you're great and rich and famous and
the worlds full of your name, III tell
folks l know you like my own bow and
III hrag about how many times you used
to come to see me-"
Hush, Tom, you mako me feel silly
said CASTOR as he warmly pressed the old
fellows hand.
He went back toward his office with
lighter step and more buoyant heart. His
mind was as clear as the MONDAY sun
that was now flooding the green fresh
world with it's splendor. He would stand
by his own people,. HIS would sink or
swim with them. There were things
more to be desired than gold.
He called at the office to get his mail.
Sam Love, the new postmaster was a
joyial, honest, lazy, good natured Demo