The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-02-22
cHAPTERfxxlII.
Captain Falooner Makes suggestions

Captain Falconer Makes Suggestions.
Mr. Sanders had a surprise awaiting
him when he left the Lumsden Place. He
had not taken twenty steps before he
met the young captain who had charge of
the detachment of federal troops sta
toned at Shady Dale.
This IS Mr.. Sanders, I believe" he
said without ceremony. "My name is
Falconer. have just been to call on
Mr.. clopton, but they tell me there that
he is at Mrs. Lumsden's."
well, 1 wouldn't advise you to go
there, said Mr.. Sanders. bluntly. THE
lady is in a considerbul state of mind
about her granson.9
ut is a miserable piece of business all
the way through" remarked Captain
Falconer. There was note of sympathy
in his voice, which Mr.. Sanders could
not fail to catch.
Il called upon my cousin, Mrs Clai-
borne, for the first time today" the Cap
tain went on. She has invited me to
tea often but l have refused the invita-
ton on account of the state of feeling
here. 1 know. how high it is. 1t is nat
ural, of course, but it is not justifable.
Take my case, for instance; l am DEM
ocrat, and I come from a family of dem
ocrats who have never voted anything
else but the democratic ticket, except
when Henry Clay was a candidate, and
when Lincoln was running for a second
term If you think that l, or any of the
men under me, or any of the men who
fought at ALL intended to bring about
such condition as now exists, you are
doing us a great wrong. Don't mistake
me! l am not apologizing for the part L
took. Yet l do not believe in negro suf-
frage, and l abhor and detest every ex-
action that the politicians in Washington
have placed upon the people of the
South"
Captain F'alconer was very good to look
upon He was of the Kentucky type, tall.
broadshouldered and handsome. His I'M
dress uniform became him we'll and he
had the distinctive and pleasing marks
that West Point leaves on all young men
who graduate there
well, as l told you, I called on my
cousin today for the first time and she
insisted that make it my business to see
you or Mr.. Clopton. She told me-, the
Captain said, with pleasant smile, that
YOU dAe llC llldl hloHdpptu MI. lLlil-
colin"
She's wrong about that" replied Mr..
Sanders; I'm the man that didn't kid
nap him. But l want to ask you; amt
you some kin to John Barbour Falconer?''
He is my father" the captain replied.
well, I've heard Meriwether Clopton
talk about him hundreds of times. They
ripped around in congress together before
the war"
Now, that is very interesting to me-"
said the captain. his face Frightening.
They walked slowly along, and during
this period of silence, Mr.. Meriwether
Clopton came UP behind them. Mr.. San
ders drew his attention.
Mr.. Clopton," he said, heres gen.
tleman 1 reckon you'd like to know
Captain Falconer. He's a son of John
Barbour Falconer."
us that so?" exclaimed Meriwether
Clopton, wonderful change passing over
his face. We'll, am glad to see a son
of my dear old friend, anywhere and at
any time" He shook hands very cor
daily with the captain. Let me see
let me see; if | am not mistaken your
first name is Garnett'
THAT is true, sir" replied the captain,
with boyish laugh that was pleasing to
the ear But 1 am surprised that you
should remember these things so WE'LL
why, my dear sir, it is not surprising
at all. / have handled you on my knee
many and many time; | know the very
house, yes, the very room, in which you
were born. Some of the happiest hours of
my manhood were spent with your father
and mother in Washington. Your IA
ther is dead, I believe. Well, he was
good man; among the best l ever knew.
What of your mother?'
l. sfGha has broken greatly rnsnOnded
the captain. 1.-The war was a great bur-
den to her. She was a Virginian, you
know"
''Yes-yesi" said Meriwether Clopton.-
"The war has been dreadful nightmare
to the people on both sides; and 1t seems
to be still going on disguised as politics.
Only last night, as you perhaps know,
posse of soldiers arrested and carried off
four of our worthiest young men,
Eyes, sir I know of 1t and regret it,"
responded Captain Falconer And 1 have
no doubt that a majority of the people
here are incensed at the soldiers forget
ting that they are the mere instruments
of their superiors, and that their supe-
riors themselves take their orders from
other superiors who are engaged in the
game of politics. The army is at the beck
and call of what is called the government
and today the government happens to be
the radical contingent of the republican
party Can you imagine that my mission
here is pleasant to me? l can assure you,
sir it is the most disagreeable duty that
ever fell to my lot I am glad you spoke
of these arrests At your convenience,
should like to have a little conversation
with you and Mr.. Sanders on this SUBJ
ject"
There is no time like the present" re-
piled Meriwether Clopton. ''Will you come