The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1903-11-13
CHAPTER XIV.


Upon reaching home shortly after
nightfall the Major found visitors wait
ing for him in the library-Wash San
ders, old Gid, Jim Taylor and a red
bewhiskered neighbor named Perdue.
A bright fire was cracking in the
great fireplace; and with stories of
early steamboat days upon the Missis-
sippi, Gid was regaling the company
when the hero of the yarn opened the
door and looked in. Getting to their
feet with a scuffle and a clatter of
shovel and tongs (Which some n
knocked DOWN they cried him a well
come to his own house.
Gentleman" said the Major, Just
wait till | eat a bite and I'll be with
you. Have you all beer to supper?"
I'VE have all been stuffed. Gid took
the liberty to answer, "all but Wash
Sanders and he"
Don't eat enough to keep a chicken
alive" Sanders struck in. wish l
could eat with you, Major, but amt
got no relish for vidults. But Pm glad
ito know that other folks amt that bad
off. Jest go on and take your time like
we want here waitin' for you"
While the Major was in the dining
room, Gid came out and told him that
the priest had said to him and to 9TH
ers that it might be well to call at the
Majors house Immediately upon his
return from Brantly.
He's all right" said the Major,
getting UP and taking the lead toward
the library. And when he had sat
down in his chair, bottomed with
sheep-skin, he told his friends of his
fears of a negro instruction, of the
dispatch and of the answer from the
governor; and he related his talk with
the ~Frenchman, whereupon Low, the
Englishman, spoke up:
81 know that chap. 1t wouldn't sur
prise me to learn that he put some ras-
cally black up to the trick of punch
ing that hole in my bath. For a time
he came about my place quite a bit,
you know, but / gave him to under
stand one day that | vastly preferred
to choose my own associates. And you
may rest with the assurance that he
will be against the whites. All, with
a Frenchman it is never a question as
to which side he will take. BY jove,
he always finds out which side the
Englishman is on and then takes the
other. / have brought with me a bit
of Scotch whisky and | shall be pleas
ed to have you gentlemen join me-"
wait a minute" said the Major.
81 have some liquor that was distilled
sixty years ago by the grandfather OF
the commander of the Alabama. Well
try that first"
Good" cried the Briton. 81 cam
deny the Alabama claim, you know
And then he added; Most %extraordin.
airy. | assure you"
"Just wait till you smack your mouth
on it," said Gid. why sir, there's
the smile of a goddess in each DROP
and a Paradise Regained' in a swal
low. Sit down. Wash Sanders swig
Of 1t would shoot you into the all
like a rocket"
But really, Mr.. Gid, l think a little
of it would help my appetite" Sanders
replied, looking anxiously toward the
Major.
"Appetite!" Gid cried. You can cal
the hind leg of a rhinoceros right
now"
do you mean to insult me, sir?'
Sanders retorted, weakly bristling up
and the Major turning from the side
board, with the odd-shaped bottle and
several glasses in his hands, looked a.
Bats and said: Don't, Gid"
"All right, but l was Joking" the
old rascal declared. Wash and | al
ways prank with each other. You car
take a joke, can't you, Wash?"
with the best of Them Sanders
answered. Eyes, sir, and before the
doctors proved to me that l couldn't
get well I was joking all the time
He raised his hand and with his Ions
finger nail scratched his chin. Blu