The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-04
By Joel Chandler Harris.
Copyright. 1909. by Joel Chandler Harris.

with all his heart the tonic and spirit of Lees address to his old soldiers; but when he saw the unexpected turn that the poll iticians had been able to give to events. ke found 1t hard to hold his peace. Fin ally he melted his friends to hold meet ing and propose his name as candidate for Congress. This was done, and the Major seized the opportunity to issue a circular letter declining the nomination and giving his reasons therefor. This letter remains to this day the most scath- ing arraignment of carpet-baggeiy. bay onet rule and the Republican Party gen. erally that has ever been put in print.
 Major Perdue did not intend 1t so. but the effect of this scorching document was to bring a company of Federal troops to Halcyondale, and in the course of a few weeks a detachment was stationed at Shady Dale. This was taken as a signal by the carpet-baggers, and forthwith they began operations, receiving occa- Honal accessions in the person of num- Der of scalawags, the most respectable and conscientious of these being Mir. Mahlon Butts, who had been vigorous and consistent Union man all through the war. His consistency won for him the respect of his neighbors, but when the carpet -baggers made their appearance, ana sRnaHlOn bulIS DGHdA tO iA1S with them, he was ostracised along with the rest.
 It soon became necessary for the whites to take counsel together, and Shady Dale became as 1t had been before the war, the Mecca of the various leaders.
 Then 1t was that Gabriel had an oppor- tunity to see Toombs, and Stephens and Hill and Herschel V. Johnson-he who was on the national ticket with Douglas in 1S60-and other men who were to be- come prominent later. There were some differences of opinion to be settled. A few of the leaders had advised the white voters to take no part in the political farce which Congress had arranged, but to leave it. all to the negroes and the aliens. Others, on the contrary, advised the white voters to qualify as rapidly as possible. It was this difference of opinion that remained to be settled, so far as Georgia was concerned.
 It was Gabriels acquaintance with MT. Stephens that first fired his ambition. Here was 8 frail. weak man. hardly able to stand alone, who had been an invalid all his life, and yet had won renown, and by his wisdom and conservatism had gained the confidence and esteem of men of all parties and of all shades of opinion. His will power and his energy lifted him above his bodily weakness and ills. and watching him closely and noting his wonderful vivacity and cheerfulness Gabriel Tolliver came to the conclusion that if an invalid could win fame a strong, healthy lad should be able to make his mark.
 It fell out that Gabriel attracted the attention of MT. Stephens, who was ai- ways partial to young men. At the sug- gestion Of MT. Stephens, the lad was permitted to attend the conferences, which were all informal, and the kindly statesman took pains to introduce the awkward, blushing youngster to all the prominent men who came.
 As might be supposed, no definite pol icy was hit upon. The conditions were so new to those who had to deal with them, that, after an interchange of views the company separated, feeling that the policy proper to be pursued would arise naturally out o6 the immediate necessi- ties of the occasion, or the special char ater of the situation. This was the view of MT. Stephens, who, as he was still suffering from his confinement in prison, accepted the invitation of Meriwether Clopton to remain at Shady Dale for a week or more, and during that week there was hardly a day that Gabriel did not go to the Clopton place.
 Moreover, Gabriel came in closer con- tact with Francis Bethune. That young gentleman seized the opportunity to in vite Gabriel to his room, where they had several familiar and pleasant talks. Be- thune told. Gabriel much that was inter esting about the war, and about the men he had met in Richmond and Washing ton. He also related many interesting incidents and stories of adventure, in which he had taken part. But he never once put himself forward as the hero Of an exploit.
 Gabriel had never suspected this proud looking young man of modesty, and he at once began to admire and like Be- thune. who was not only genial, but con genial. He seemed to take a real inter- est in Gabriel and gave him a good deal of sober advice which he should have taken himself.
 In fine Bethune won Gabriel, and won him completely. It was so pleasing to Gabriel to be able to have a cordial lik- ing for Bethune that he had the feeling of those who gain a moral victory over themselves in the matter of some evil habit or passion. His grandmother smiI- ed fondly on his enthusiasm, remarking: Yes, Gabriel, he is certainly a fine young gentleman, and am glad of 1t for Mans sake. He will be sure to make her happy, and she deserves happiness as much as any human being ever knew. !"
 Gabriel also thought that Nan de- | served to be very happy, but ne could imagine several forms of happiness that did not include marriage with Bethune. however much he might admire his friend. And his enthusiastic praises of Bethune ceased so abruptly that his grandmother looked at him curiously