Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1907-12-24
THE MAJORS VISIT

The major was confused when he
nrned into Broadway. The roar OF the
traffic, the endless rush Of the feverish
crowd, worried and alarmed him.
he had hoped that his old friend,
Colonel Castleton. formerly Of Ken
lucky. would have met him In Jersey
City. He had taken pains to write
him warning him of his proposed visit
to New York.
The major was tall and spare, with a
refined face and aristocratie bearing.
BE did not look any too well nourish-
ed His old fashioned. threadbare
clothing was scrupulously neat. He
looked what he was. southern gen
tleman who had seen better days.
The major stood hesitatingly on the
corner of Cortland street and Broad
way. He really didgnot know what to
do nor where to go. He would rather
have faced a whole regiment of Yam
kee troops than this madding crowd
that flowed past him. humping and jos
thing him at every step,
He began to regret that he had come.
He thought of his home and wished he
were there.
At this hour how quiet and peaceful
1t was!
He could see the room, with its
quaint furniture. the wreck of the old
manor house grandeur; the tea table.
with the family silver sparkling in the
freight; the big. sleepy cat doing on
the silk cushions; his sister, Miss Ma
tilda, plying her shining knitting nee
dies. He knew that at this moment
she was thinking of him and wonder
ing where he was.
Why had he left that restful haven
for this babel, this atrocious place,
where no one knew or cared about
him, where people knocked each other
like straws out of their path? he was
too old to come. He should have
known better.
All, why? In his poor, tired old
heart the major knew that hope-that
ignis fatuus-had beckoned him; that
faint hope that his old friend, Colonel
Randolph Castleton. that great fnan-
cier and promoter. would do something
TO aid him in his fast failing fortunes.
he had counted on that old comrade-
ship-counted in vain.
Disappointed. forlorn, heartbroken
almost, the major wandered on, grow
ing continually more dazed. He took
the wrong cars, the wrong streets.
Night had set in when the timid old
Wayfarer, worn out and on the verge
OF collapse, sat down on a doorstep
west of Sixth avenue. in a decidedly
unsaEory part of the town, his car
petbag between his knees and his ach-
ing head in his hands.
His thoughts rambled. He fancied
himself away in the south. He saw
himself walking up the path between
the roses and hollyhocks to his mod
est door. 1t was Saturday night.
tomorrow he must go to church with
Miss Matilda. He heard the bells now;
saw himself, shaven. immaculate. GO
ing to the village church. carrying the
prayer book his father had carried be-
fore him.
All, why was he not there-at home.
at home?
His head sank lOwer-Iower.
The major awakened with a start
His eyes wandered languidly from one
object to another in the decent hum
bic room.
The bed, the chairs, the bureau came
under scrutiny. and then-the major
gave a great start and, raising himself
on one elbow. stared lntently at one.
OBJECT on the table.
1t was a picture Of himself when he
was a boy.
As the major stared open mouthed
The door was softly opened. and a
"ooliy head, almost as white as the
majors own. was thrust cautiously IN.
Then bent form followed the head
Marse Bob" said a voice at whose
sound the major started violently
Aarse Bob. Is yoh all cher gwine to
wake up. sah7 At yOh ole tricks-ki-
yf-yessah- at yoh ole tricks-sIeep all
day. sab"
The speaker came slowly toward the
ped The major looked steadily At
nln for moment. then held out his
arms.
lou black rascalF' was al be said
The black man dung himself into the
majors emhrace- II bress Cord" he
oobed. dat I done I'm yoh sittin' dar
looe on dem steps. You wuE clean
Oekered out. sab. l jest picked yoh
an brunged yOh ter dis ysah miz-