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

Rayburn Miller was a man among
ten thousand in his class. Just after
being graduated at the state university
he was admitted to the bar and took
up the practice of law. He could un-
doubtedly have made his way at this
alone. had not other and more absorb
ing talents developed within him. Hav.
ing had few thousand dollars left
him at his fathers death, he began to
utilize this capital in mote shaving
and other methods of turning over
money for handsome profit furnished
! by the unsettled conditions, the time
and locality. He soon became an adept
in many lines of speculation, and as he
was remarkably shrewd and cautious
/ it is not to be wondered at that he soon
accumulated quite a fortune
Take seat" he said to Alan as
| they went into the office. and he threw
himself into the revolving chair at his
/ Uttered desk Il want to talk to you.
suppose you are in for some fun
The boys are getting up dance at the
hotel. and they want your dollar to
this time. They've ordered it from
Chattanooga 1t will be down on the
7:35. Got match?
Alan had not and Miller turned his
head to the open door. An old negro
happened to be passing, with an ak ON
his shoulder.
"Heigh, there. Uncle Nedr Miller
called out
The negro had passed, but he heard
his name called, and he came back
and looked In at the door.
want me. Marse RayburnY 3
"Yes, you old scamp. Get me a
match or I'll shoot the top of your
head off,"
"All right, sub; all right, Marse Ray.
burn
lyon ought to know him." said Mil
Ter. with smile as the negro hurried
into the adjoining office. His wife
cooks for Colonel Barclay. He might
tell you If Miss Dolly's going tonight,
but | know she is. Frank Hillhouse
checked her name of the list. and I
heard him say she'd accepted By the
way, that fellow will do to watch.
think he and the colonel are pretty
thick"
'Will you never let up on that"
Alan asked, with a flush.
II don't know that SHALL" laughed
Rayburn. ut seems so funny to see
you in love. or. rather. to see you think
you are"
II have never said was" said Alan
sharply
But you show it SO blamed plain"
said Miller. f
Here tits. Marse Rayburn. Marse
Trabue said you could have whole
box eff you'd put up wild Sulphur ones"
Miller took the matches from the out
stretched hand and tossed cigar to
Alan. Say. Uncle Ned" he asked,
do you know that gentleman indi-
eating Alan with nod of his head.
A quizzical look dawned in the old
negros eyes. and then he gave a re-
sounding guffaw and shook all over.
Il reckon | know his boss. Marse
Rayburn,' he Uttered.
That's good one on you. Alan"
laughed Miller. HE knows your boss
I'll have TO spring that on you when l
see you two together"
AS the negro left the office Mr.. Ira
bue leaned in the doorway, holding his
battered silk hat in his hand and mop
ping his perspiring face.
He nodded to Alan and said to Mil
Ter. do you want to writer"
mot any more for you. thanks" said
Miller. II have the backache now
from those dispositions | made out for
you yesterday"
"Oh. don't mean that" the old
lawyer assured him. hut had TO
borrow yore ink just now, an. SEEM
you at yore desk, thought you might
need it."
"Oh. If do" TESTED Miller. 81 can
buy another bottle at the bookstore.
They pay me commission on the ink
furnish the row. They let me have it
cheap by the case. What stumps me
is that you looked in to see If needed
1t. You are breaking the rule, Mr..
Trabue. They generally make me hunt
for my Office furniture when | need it.
They've borrowed everything | have
except my iron safe. Their ignorance
of the combination. its weight and
their confirmed laziness are all that
saved it.'
When the old lawyer had gone. the
two friends sat and smoked in silence
for several minutes. Alan was study
ing Miller's face Something told him
that the news of his fathers disaster
had reached him and that Miller was
going to speak of it. He was not mis-
taken. for the lawyer soon preached
the subject.
"T've been intending to ride cut to
see you almost every day this week."
he said. hut business has always pre-
vented my leaving town."
"Then you have heard
Eyes. Alan. I'm sorry. but It's all
over the country. A mans bad luck
spreads as fast as good war news.
heard 1t the next day after your ia
lther returned from Atlanta, and saw