The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-11-01
SAVANNAH GROCERY CO., DISTRIBUTORS.
STRAUSS, PRITZ AGO.
DISTILLERS

had given the Eatons a deal of consid-
GRAFTON since the night before, with
the result of stiffening his first deter
mination.
You'll find more folk than myself"
l observed at last "to differ with con-
corning this business. 1 do not believe
the town is like to sit down quietly
with the arrangement
1--WE will cross that river" said he,
when we come to it. But why, Ma
jor, should you and 1 continue whirling
fails over this old straw? 1t was be-
tween us most thoroughly threshed last
evening. I think you are right about
the town, however, and that's why
I'm waiting now in my apartment. Mud
or no mud, l would else be in the
saddle for a morning ride. I'm in mo-
Tnentary hope of visitation by dele
cation of society Redsticks, who, 1 un-
derstand connive IL descent upon me.
They propose at the coming pow-wow
to demand my Eaton intentions, and
to make protest against them should
their most worshipful fancy disap-
prove" The term "Redsticks," which
the General employed, was kind of
border slang and the name given to
the Creek hostiles in Weatherford S
war. You must stand to my back,
Major, when the enemy arrives" This,
with a glance of humor which showed
the General as not attaching vast en-
phasis to the invasion or what might
grow from it.
II will abide the shock of your Red
sticks charge" l said, smiling with
him, unless they bring a reserve of
women to the field. With the first dire
swish of warlike crinoline 1 shall aban-
don you to the fate you've invited. L
have stood to odds; but my courage is
not proof against an angry woman.
The General beamed in his droll
4. 1N,s of
talk, said he had letters toawrite and
needed my help. 1t may as well be
known, for soon or late it is bound to
escape notice, that l wrote most of the
Generals letters. He was pertlouS
hand with a pen, and no more a speller
than a poet.
But there would be no letters writ
ten that day; for when we were in
the very act and article of beginning,
Augustus came in with a card.
"Ah! Col, Towson, U. S. A." read the
General. "Show him up" This last
to Augustus. "The' Redsticks would
seem to have dwindled to one" observ-
ed the General, turning to me. This
Col. Towson was to be their spokes-
man. Now he comes alone. He is
very brave or a very ignorant man."
And the General shifted dangerously,
and yet in manner comic, as recogniz-
| ing the elements of farce.
Col. Towson, l must needs say, was
| a poor feature of a man, with trivial
face in which the great expression was
a noble opinion of himself. He was of
| the cavalry, as I judged by the facings
| on his regimentals, for our visitor APP
peared in full uniform, and for part
of his regalia dragged gathering sa-
Der and wore fierce spurs to his heels.
| Plainly he was one of your egreglous
| fops; and his breast was trussed out
ward and upward with the fullness of
a pigeons by dint of some vain con-
trivance inside his garments. AS he
brought his heels together. and stood
with a deal of splendor just inside the
door, the General ran him over with
| questioning eye that took in every
| thing from the wax on his moustache
| to the gilt on his spurs.
What do you want, sir?' demanded
the General as blunt as a hammer.
1T am Col. Towson, Mr.. President,
the paymaster of the forces"
Pigeon breast spoke in high, affected
tones, and would clip his words and
slur his "rs" in a mincing fashion be-
yond imitation.
"Of what forces?"
The voice was calculated to plant dis
may in the others youthful ears. I
was aware how the Generals ferocity
was assumed, and that deep in his
throat he was laughing. l should have
laughed myself, but managed instead
to establish a firm gravity.
"Of the army, Mr.. President"
The high tone began to speak from
agitation. An no marvel! The Cen
erals frown was enough to abash
lion.
Are you come to me on duty?"
mo. sir, Mr.. President, +"
"Then why do you wear your side
arms?'
The General could throw an express
sion into his face before which hos
tile council of red Indians had been
meath the paints wherewith they We're
tallowed The hapless Pigeon-br
was shaking in the shadow of one of
the Generals most hateful looks. When
the other made no response, the Cen
eral resumed:
Mote this, sir; am not in the habit
of being terrorized by the military
forces of the nation. Never again pre-
sumo to come into my presence armed
and spurred, unless required by the
regulations
"I'n retire, Mr.. President, and change
my apparel.
This was feebly piped, and poor Pig
on-breast came nigh to wrinkling his
coat in attempts to bow Cancellation
and apology.
estate your errand, sir, now you are
mere, lAC dtAAOAeAis L We
no time for two visits from you"
Pigeon breast took what confidence
he might from the Generals brusque
permission, and drew from his cuff a
memorandum; as it were, the heads of
a speech. Clearing his throat and col
lecting himself, he began what may
have been a most lucid and eloquent
discourse. It's effect was lost in the
delivery. however; for what with the
high thin tones and what with the
orators lady-like affectations, neither
the General nor myself could make
more of it than of the laughter of a
loon. For his own careless part, 1
don't think the General paid even slight
attention. If Pigeon-breast were utter
ing thunder, then it was summer thun-
der and high and harmless, far above
his head; he minded it no more than
the scraping of a fiddle at tavern
dance. In the midst, Pigeon-breast
was made to halt. The General waved
his hand as demanding silence.
1--WE will shorten this. For whom dc
you come to me?"
Il was asked to see you on behalf of
Mrs. Calhoun and the ladies of Wash
ington.'
The General glanced in my direction.
OF course, we well understood that