The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-11-22
BY ALFRED henry LEWIS
Copyrighted, 1908, by
A. j. Drexel Bidd.e.
Entered at StatIoner's
Hall, London.

We'll what's d'diffrunce, anyhow"
! asked Jim, with mighty unconcern.
Hes a preacher, so it's all d'same."
mo difference, perhaps" l return
ed, except to make plain how little
you are to be relied on"
Il s'ppOse Jim's as cap'ble of mis-
takes as anybody" Here Jim lapsed
into the abused tone of one virtuous
and driven to the desperate by ILL
usage. But I tells you-all, Marse Ma
jor; since you done locks up that dem
ijohn Jim amt been d'same niggah.
His mem'ry has sort O. begun to bog
down. No wonder Jim gets folks swap
ped round foolish in his mind"
While these reproofs were going, my
callers stood by the door, inviting con-
sideration with much bending of the
body and bowling of the head.
II am the Reverend Campbell" be-
gan the man; II am pastor of precious
flock in this town. And this is De-
borah. my beloved consort. I trust
l find all well and holy here, and
the blessing of the Spirit upon this
placer"
Then the Reverend Campbell re-be-
gan his abject howing, while his mag
pie wife smirked and giggled socially.
1t had been long since 1 met folk
who more repealed me. For the sake
of his cloth, however and the real re-
speCt / bore it, ! required myself to
assume a manner of cordiality. l asked
the purpose of the visit.
1T was my privilege" responded the
Reverend Campbell, with a meeting
house snuIfle that certain divines adopt
as a professional manner of articula-
ton, Il may say it was my inestima-
bic privilege some years back, to be-
hold in the body of the church, during
many of my preachments, that
mighty man of war, our coming Presi-
dent, and his sweet lady; although she
for fles his as grass-has since per-
ished and passed over to dwell among
the blest."
Mrs. Jackson was my nearest, dear
est friend, simpered the awful magpie
wife, interrupting. 1T was when Gen.
Jackson had a seat in the Senate. We
were like loving sisters, Mrs. Jackson
and l."
This last I distrusted but I did not
say so.
You are the Generals old preach
err" I said; the Few. Campbell mean
while seesawing and bowling, and lock-
ing and unlocking his warty fingers.
Have you been in to meet the Gen.
eral?"
Not yet good sir. not yet" replied
the Rev. Campbell. THAT shall be in
good time. Since you abide on terms
of intimacy with our coming President,
l deemed it prudent to first make my
self known to you. Knowing David I
would know Jonathan. There is a bust
ness-a piece of SINFUL worldly bust
ness-I would inquire Of a boon
would ask. and ere 1 went to the trans
action thereof, l held it sapient to call
upon you who will be so strong to bind
or loose-so potent, as one might say
in the coming dispensation of prefer
ments."
The Rev. Campbell-who should have
been mandarin for his responsiveness
and talents to bow-kept up his bend
ing, while the magpie wife in vacuous
vanity, Deamed on like a furnished
sun. To put a stop to the bowling
which began to grow on me nervously,
babe the pair be seated. They would
remain the longer, but l would save
myself with less of irritation.
Il do not come for myself" observ-
ed the Rev. Campbell, snuff1ing and
balancing uneasily on his chairs edge
His wife had taken her seat with more
of condolences spreading her skirts to
advantage, and leaning back as one
certain of results. mo, it is by re-
quest of beloved brother in Christ,
the Rev. DR.. Ely of Philadelphia. Our
great Chief Magistrate knows him and
loves him we'll"
Then the Rev. Campbell went on in
pulpit tones to elaborate his mission
1t soon declared itself to be the old
Duff Green errand of office angling.
Also it was a coincidence something
strange, 1 thought, when the Rev.
Campbell, following in the very foot
prints of the wine colored Duff, spoke
of the Florida governorship, and named
the same wealthy zany for its occupa-
ton.
He is Pennsylvania Westfall."
concluded the Reverend Campbell, his
breath bated and his air impressed.
he is Pennsylvania Westfall, and
extremely rich of this worlds goods.
DR.. Ely desires this post for him with
all his heart; he believes, moreover. that
his old friend, our excellent president.
who-and heaven be thankedi-is less
than a scant two weeks away from
his inauguration, will be glad to pleas
ure him in this regard. You might, sir,
hint to that eminent statesman and
soldier how his friend DR.. Ely, would
profit by this selection, going, as in
that event he will. to st. Augustine,
to be chaplain for the then Gov. West
fall"
And my husband, too, would be call
ed to DR.. Ely's place in Philadelphia"
gurgled the maybe wife; its a much
richer church than the one here"
There, then, was the cat out of the
bag; l had been guessing for some
moments in the dark, as to why the
ly be fishing for Office when he ought
to be fishing for souls. The mag
pie wife granted me a CLINT of his Sc
cret. 1t did Aot swell my fund of re-
spect for the RI verend Campbell, a
fund nothing rotund as things stood.
You should see the General" I
said at last. "These are not my af-
fairs; ! would not presume, wanting
his invitation, to advise with him con-
corning them. You should see him
or, if you will, you might wait until
Van Buren, arrives"
"Ah, yes; the coming Secretary of
State" remarked the Reverend Camp
bell, while his thick lips munched un-
pleasantly. Twill Mr.. Van Buren,
make the Florida selection?"
l was driven to say l thought not;
the General himself had been once
Governor of Florida; therefore, he
might believe he was the one better
qualified TO make such appointment.
Beholding the Reverend Campbell in
the throes of doubt, tipping on his
chair and looking with his black
clothes not a little like a crow hesl-
tating on a fence-rail as to whether
or no he will plump down among the
sprouting corn, l suggested, to relieve
myself, l fear-that now he was come.
he might better go in to the General
and offer his request. l entertained
no thought of success for him; 1 had
not forgotten the fate in that connec-
ton of the pursy Duff-Duff of the
ripe, ripe nose. But / aimed at a
radiance of the Reverend Campbell
and his leering, bubbling helpmeet:
and / was not so loyal to the General
as to prevent me from earning my
own release by betraying him into
their talons.