Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-04-24

thrust outdoors q threadbare old man.
The victims flowing white hair, white
mustache and military bearing receiy-
ed short shrift.
"Come along, colonel. Yo' can't sit
heah all day. Them chairs is for the
guests In the hotel,' the head porter
was urging as he jerked the old man
toward the door.
The Mississippian's fighting blood
was instantly aroused at such treat
ment Of a respectable old white man
by negroes His lips tightly compress
ed as he hurried to the rescue He
cried sharply.
Take your hands off that gentle
man! What do you mean by touching
friend Of mine"
The negroes stepped back amazed.
.-Scuse me, senator, Is this gent'man
a friend Of yours" the head porter
gasped apologetically.
Langdon looked at him.
"You heard what said,' be drawled
In the slow way natural to some men
Of the south when trouble threatens.
-Pd like to have you down In Missis-
sippi for about ten minutes"
The head porter turned quickly on
his assistants and drove them away,
shouting at the top Of his voice:
Get about yo' wuk. How dare yo'
intehfere wild friend of de senator's?
I'll teach yo to be pusting yoh nose In
where 1t amt got no business"
The old man, astonished at the turn
of events, came forward hesitatingly
to Langdon.
"Im very much obliged to you, sir
he said. I'm Colonel Stoneman, an
old soldier"
The Mississippian stretched forth his
hand.
'My name Is Langdon, sir-Senator
Langdon Of Mississippi | am an old
soldier too"
Delighted, senator" exclaimed the
seedy looking old man, taking the Of
fered hand gratefully.
Iangdon's easy method of making
friends was well illustrated as he
clapped his new companion on the
back. Everybody he met was the Mis-
sissippian's friend until he had proved
himself the contrary. That had been
his rule through life.
"Come right over, colonel. have
cigar, sir" Then. as they lighted
their cigars, he inquired. "What army
corps were you with, colonelT
81 was under Grant along the Ten
nessee," replied the old G. A. r. man.
Familiarity with senator was
something new for him, and already
he was Strengthening up and becom-
ing more of a man every moment
Langdon was thoroughly interested.
81 was along the Tennessee under
Beauregard," he said.
Great generals, sir! Great gener-
als!" exclaimed Colonel Stoneman.
"And great fighting, reckonp ech-
oed the Confederate. You remember
/ the battle Of wfordsvillew
The old Federal smiled with joyous
recollection.
do i? Well, / should say did!
Were you there, senator?"
.'Was i there? Why. remember
every shot that was fred. l was un-
der Kirby, who turned your left wing"
The attitude of the northern soldier
changed instantly. He drew himself
up with cold dignity. Plainly he felt
that he had the honor of his army to
sustain.
"Our left wing was never turned,
sirr' he exclaimed with dignity.
Langdon stared at him with amaze
ment. This was point of view the
Confederate had never heard before.
Never turned" he gasped. Don't
tell me that! | was there, and. besides,
I've fought this battle on an average
of twice a week ever since '65 down In
Mississippi, and In all these years l
never heard such a foolish statement"
what rank were you, sir" asked
the Union soldier haughtily
II was captain that morning." con-
fessed the southerner.
His old enemy smiled with superb
GRITTY
LAS a colonel I've probably got more
accurate information" he said.