The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-02-17
CHAPTER XIII.

E.TlEEN Truitt arrived in the great.
M busting passenger depot in At
H lanta it was noon. He elbowed
- his way through the squirm-
ing mass of human beings to the street
A dozen cabmen yelled at him and ges-
ticulated with their whips, but he paid
no heed to them. Seeing blue coated
policeman on a corner. he approached
him.
"Could you tell Teller eff he'd be apt
to see the governor at the statehouse
this time O. day." he asked.
mo; reckon he's out at the man
sion about now" replied the officer.
sits dinner time"
"Well, I'll go out thar, then" Truitt
said and turned away 1t was a TWEEN
~ minutes walk through the business
portion Of the city to the executive
mansion on Peachtree street, near the
best known and oldest clubhouse in
the city. The building was a modern
red brick structure standing back from
the street on a well kept lawn, and as
the gaunt mountaineer entered the iron
gate and proceeded up the walk he saw
a uniformed negro manservant at the
door.
II want to see Governor Telfare,"
Trritt said. SIS he about?
YES, he's at home" the dapper ne
gro replied. eying Truitt from head to
foot with contemptuous glance, but
he don't see nobody this time % day"
"Oh. that's itr' And, to the evident
surprise of the servant, the mountain
eer, without removing his broad brim
med slouclf'hat. passed by him into the
hall f'Well. you tells'im thar's a Teller
OFT here that wants to see i'm, an that
dern quick
--fFrt | told yoT''
Il know what ybu told me. you black
idiot You tell i'm what l told you.
an he in hurry about it,"
Wlth the whites of his rolling eyes
dac otlly in evidence the negro back"d
out OF the hall mumbling something
Truitt could not catch. lie came back
In a minute.
"The governor says he's occupied
Just now an amt at home to nobody.
He was just lyin' down to take nap.
lie won't let nobody disturb i'm at this
time O day"
"IIe won't, hcy?" Truitt sneered
swell, you tell i'm l saii a man wants
to see i'm that kin beat the hind sights
ofr'n i'm in the next eicc ion Of he
wants to- You tell I'm That man.
wants to see 'i2 on a ma Ter O. life an
death. Tell i'm that you black fool,
an see what he'll say"
TIE negro WAS assent about three
minutes, and then he came back and
sullenly motioned TrU.tt to enter the
door on the right Of the hall. Telfarc
was standing at a green covered writ
ing table and frowned and stared i'm
patiently at Truitt. who had not yet |
removed his hat.
Il believe l do not recall your face"
he said, extending his hand, but l |
meet so many friends in going about |
over the state. You are Mr.
"Oh. about as common, thank you
little headache, that's ALL How dc |
you come on?"
"I'm very WE'LL thank you, but l did
not catch your name"
"Oh. my name? It's Bascom Truitt."
"Well, Mr.. Truitt, to be plain, you
must know that I'm very busy man,
and If you will tell me right out what
you called to see me about I'll see If we
can get around to it. My private sec
rotary usually meets visitors and makes
a note of what they wish, but he is al
ways out at lunch at this hour"
Truitt laughed. Taking plug of to-
bacco from his pocket, he tore off
piece and put 1t between his teeth.
lord bless yore SOUL" he said, ''no
private secretary couldn't tend to this
job fer you
II don't understand you" Telfare
was waxing impatient: his frown had