The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-10-08
and a stubble of wiry beard stood out
stifly on his grim, sunburnt face.

to notice the prohered seat. II am
not seeking an office, general" ;"
''Of course, you are Lot. Bat tie
Office seeks you, sir. ."
mo, there are officers, and to spare,
rs you said the other day; and, be-
sides, 1 am not L military man."
You are leader OF citizens, and
that better"
Jackson could not help adniring
the old man, standing there like a
Hercules, grown gray in doing miracles
of powess. What limbs he had, what
shoulders, what q large head and
what bulginS muscles! Some rumor
OF his past lie, a vague but fascinat-
ing story of wauderings on the seas
and OF stormy but successful expert
ences in the wars OF many lands, hal
come to the generals ears from this
or that accidental source. Very few
imagiuations aye proof against suca
iilm OF romance lowering over an
individual who emphasizes its aIiure-
1ncpt with personal appearance ale
together extraordinary.
II am tco old, general, to think OF
taking command of even company, "
said Mr.. Vernon after moment. Ie
spoke with respectful thoughtfulness,
but behind his words was reserve OF
something like conscious superiority,
or, at least, of absolute self confidence.
He folded his arms across his immense
chest, his long rifle in the hollow Of
mis- left elbow, its butt on the floor be-
tween his feet. "No, prefer to fight
as an individual riheman; and, al
though 1 am old, my eyes are still
good-I shoot we'll"
! "Now, W nat is the use. Mr.. Vernon,
of your speaking like this!" demanded
Jackson, with hint of his stormy i'm
patience in his voice. 1t was not OF
his nature to brook resistance. care
you not going ever to cease resenting
my refusal to appoint Loring? as
sure you. sir, that had he been a
gentleman instead OF a scoundrel, I
still had no place for him."
':Ta! 1t is you who are fretted!
Do you ina, inc thatif l felt so greatly
aggrieved should be here now offer
ing myself as a private soldier? If l
desired Office, General Jackson, do
YOU feel that could not have it with
out asking you?"
There wes nothing beneath the
most superb dignity in Mr.. Vernon's
way of saying this. 1t was propounded
as simple question without any ring
of personal pique or OF undue assump-
tion, and yet there was sudden cold,
hard CLEAN in his eyes.
.'Oh, well," said Jackson, rather
haughtily and as if dismissing the
matter once for all, "you must do as
you please"
81 will do this" Mr.. Vernon re-
sponded, without taking any notice Of
the generals mood; Il will raise a
company at my own expense and have
it report to you, properly equipped
and officered."
Before there could he any reply to
his words, he saluted gravely and
walked out of the room.
The entrance ut this moment OF
Governor Claiborne, General Villere
and NJ. Tousard, the French consul,
forced Jackson's attention into a new
channel; but during the interview.
which was important, his thought
Kept turning back to the singular con-
ference with Mr.. Vernon. And yet
what had there really been in it
that should impress him? Ger
tainly, the mere fact that citizen
Of New Orleans had offered himself
rs soldier was nothing peculiar
or impressive; luen were doing this
every day. Moreover, what Mr.. Yer
aon had said was simple enough.
Jackson found that it was the mans
personality the extraordinary pres
ence, the suggestion Of almost i'm
measurable experience and of incom-
parable dignity, reserve, sclf-repres.
sion that fingered IN his brain and
appealed to him in some obscure but
wonderfully potent way. 1t is cred
IDLE that Jackson who was man o.
penetrating insight, felt that Mr.. Yer
non was type embodyinS the strange
spirit of this romantic creole civiliza-
tior-that in his stalwart, massive
frame there dwelt the composite soul
of all this wild, Tree, untamable swarm
in whose midst the general now found
himself, with no eff li,ient means Of
reaching their natures ard warming
their sympathies.
"What did Vernon want?" Clai-
borne ventured, in his smooth way, to
inquire, after the immediate business
of the interview was over.
"He offered his services" said jack
son, evasively.
"He did? That is fortunate just at
this juncture. Do you know, general,
that lie is the most important man III
Louisiana"
"I have been told that he has in
/ 6oonca