The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-03-24

to do"
I'D see Perkins fust." advised Abner
Daniel EFF ! felt shore Perkins had
bunkoed me. I'd steer cleer O. William.
/. I'd hate to beer i'm let out on that sub
ject. He's made his pile by keepin' a
sharp lookout"
Il hain't had no reason to think l
have been lied to-" said Bishop logged
ly as he poured his coffee into his
, saucer and shook it about to cool. "A
body could hear his deathknell rung ev
cry minute eff he'd jest listen to old
! women am
''Old bachelors" interpolated Abler.
81 reckon they are alike. The longer a
man lives without a woman the more
he gifts like one. reckon that's beca'se
the man at lives with one don't see
nothin' with copyin' in Ter an vice-a-
versy."
Mrs. Bishop had never been an APP
preciative listener to her brothers phi
losophy. She ignored what he had just
said and its accompanying smile. which
was always Abner's subtle apology for
such observations.
"Are you goin to tell Adele about the
railroad?" she asked.
81 reckon won't tell 'er to git up a
excursion Ger it fore the crossties is
laid" retorted Bishop sharply, and Alb
ner Daniel laughed. that sort of re-
spouse being in his own vein.
II was goin' to say" pursued the
softly treading wife, that | wouldn't
mention it to 'er ef-ef-Mr, Perkins
amt to be relied on. beca'se she wOr-
ries enough already about our pore way
o. livin' compared to her uncle's folks.
Eff she knowed how | spent last night.
she'd want to come back. But | amt
a-goin' to let Brother Alb skeer me yet.
1t is jest too awful to think about.
What on earth would we do? What
would we. ! say?'
That afternoon Bishop was driven to
barley by negro boy who was to
bring the buggy back home. He first
repaired to barber shop. where he
was shaved had his hair cut and his
shoes BACKED, then he went to the sta
ton half an hour before time and i'm
patiently walked up and down the
platform till the train arrived.
1t was 6 O'Clock when he reached At
lanta and made his way through the
jostling crowd In the big passenger
depot out into the streets. He had his
choice Of going at once to the residence
of his brother. on Peachtree street. the
most fashionable avenue Of the city.
or looking up Perkins In his office. He
decided to unburden his mind by at
once calling on the lawyer, whose Of
fee was in a tall building quite near
at hand
1t was the hour at which Perkins
usually left for home. but the old plant
er found him in.
oh it's you. Mr.. Bishop" he said
suavely as he rose from his desk In
the dingy. disordered little room. with
its single window. he pushed a chair
forward "Sit down; didn't know you
were in town: at your brothers, | reck /
on. How are the crops up the road? |
Too much rain last month. I'm afraid"
Bishop sank YEARLY into the chair. |
He had tired himself out thinking over
what he would say to the man before
him and with the awful contemplation
Of what the man might say to him.
"They are dom as well as can be ex-
pected." he made answer. But he
didn't approve of even that platitude,
for he was plain and outspoken and
hadn't come all that distance for a
mere exchange of courtesies. Still, he
acked the faculty to approach easily
he subject which had grown so heavy
within the last twenty-four hours and
# which he now almost stood In terror.
well, that's good" returned Per-
Tins. He was a swarthy man of fifty
i've or sixty, rather tall and slender
with a bald head that sloped back
harply from heavy, jutting brows, I'M
Ter which pair of keen black eyes
hone and shifted. Come down to
lee your daughter" he said; good
hing for her that you have brother
n town. By the way, he's fine type
f man. He's making headway too. /
lis trade rs stretching out in all direc.
ions; funny how different you two
rep
81 lowed I'd see William fore ,
rent back" said Bishop rather irrele- {
antly. Then. seeing that Perkins was
taring at him rather fixedly, he said G
was verbal plunge: !
II bought some more timber land
c
"0h, you did? That's good" Per
ms eyes fiuttered once or twice be-
pre- his gaze steadied itself on the face '
the man before him. "Well. as | b
Did you, Mr.. Bishop. that sort of a q
hing Is a good investment l reckon
Is already climbing mp little. aim Q
2" a
mot much yet" 1t struck Bishop a
lat he had given the lawyer a splen- u
Id opportunity to speak of the chief Il
luse for an advance In value, and his a
cart felt heavier as he finished. But
took quite Q slice the last time q
600 acres at the old figure, you know 4
q dollar a acre" n
"You don't say! That was n slice o
Bishop drew himself up in his chair b