The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-08

By ". fl. MackeHar


place appeared a blue expanse of water. the mulberries became oleanders. and the chimes of St. Michaefs took the place of the voices of the negro plough hands. once more he leaned upon the battery wall in old Charleston, and the little cousin who had died smiled upon him. Yes he would like to go back to Charles ton, and so for the first time in many q day there was a promise in tomorrow for the colonel.
 But the first journey the colonel had taken in twenty years required consider ation, and he thought with sudden mis- givlngs of his depleted wardrobe. A brief examination showed that he could not ap- pear on a gala occasion without certain additions to his slender stock of apparel. His own purse was empty, but glance at the roll of notes left him by the treas urer brought to light a small sum over and above the railroad fare. This was evidently intended for sleepings cars and meals
 Here was the solution of his difficulty. He would travel in the day coach, and he would need only an occasional cup of coffee and a sandwich. Then come the thought. born of his bringing up, that he had no right to use the money except for the purpose for which it had been given him.
 Then he remembered that his married sister in Charleston had in her keeping a silver punch bowl which belonged to him and which she had often wanted to Always, however, he had refused to part with it, because the little sweetheart cousin had once filled it for Christmas gathering. and it was during the brew ing of that punch that he had taken her little sticky hands and made her promise to marry him. He had meant to keep that bowl until he died, but now he would sell 1t to see once more his Marian grave in old Saint Michaers churchyard.
 His sister would gladly pay for it. and so on his return he might refund the money used for his clothes.
 This difficulty removed. the colonel arose from his seat and called, "Milly!
 Upon this, the stout old negress ap- peared from the kitchen in the yard and took up the same position at the foot of the steps. in which she had received the colonel's orders for over forty years.
 .Milly." the colonel said to her, "I am going to Charleston. and l wish yon to see to my linen before o'clock tomorrow and tell James l want him.
 Milly looked at him until her eyes seemed all white, and then. recalling her self, she turned away with the usual ''Ya-as Marse Spruill."
 But when she reached her domain, she gave vent to her feelings.
 Name CT Gawdl what all dat ole man? Gwyne ter Chawlestonl He gwy' walk? Dunno how else he gwy' git dar!' Then from the back door she called into the garden, You, Jeems Marse Spruill want yer"
 When James, who, in striking contrast to his spouse, was little and weazened, returned from his interview with the colonel, he seemed in great excitement
 "Miily" he burst out. 'Marse Spruill say he gwyne way. He say. fur me ter tell dat Buck tar tek he mule out'n de blow, en go git unc Pete's buggy ter carr him ter de railroad. Way he gwyne? Dis ain no time ter be stoppn' no blow"
 The pride of the Ransomes rose in Milly's breast, and she sternly said: You tell dat Buck ef he doan bring dat buggy here in time fur he Marster, l gwy' tar de hide off'n him. Marse Sprnill gwyne home ter see he folks fur one time. Dey dun sont fur i'm en day won't tex no