Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1909-02-11

cSSdiJ QudliHNdtlOuS WHO WsiS uoi fi-
ready employed. but in the meantime
Langdon would watch the playing of
i the game himself and make his own
deductions as best he could
The senator started toward the hotel
desk to ask regarding the Whereabouts
Of his son Randolph when his atten
ton was caught by the sight of three
powerful negro porters endeavoring to
thrust outdoors threadbare old man.
The victims flowing white hair. white
i mustache and military bearing receiy
ed short shrift
sCome along, colonel. Yo' can't sit
heah all day. Them chairs is for the
guests in the hotel" the head rprter
! was urging as he jerked the old man
! toward the door.
! The Mississinpian's fighting blood
! was instantly aroused at such treat
ment of respectable cid white man
by negroes. His lips tightly compress
ed as he hurried to the rescue He
cried sharply.
Take your hands off ttnt 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 he drawled
in the slow way natural TO some men
of the south when trouble threatens
sid like to have you down in Missis-
sfppi 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 putting yoh nose in
where it amt got no business
The old man, astonished at the turn
Of events, came forward hesitatingly
to Langdon.
I'm very much obliged to you, sir, :"
he said. Pm Colonel Stoneman. an
old soldier
The Mississippian stretched forth his
hand
sMy name is Langdon. sir-Senator
Langdon of Mississippi l am an old
soldier too"
"Delighted, senator" exclaimed the
seedy looking old man, taking the Of
fered hand gratefully.
Langdon'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.
'sCome right over, colonel. have a
cigar. sir" Then. as they lighted
their cigars, he inquired, What army
corps were you with, colonel?"
81 was under Grant along the Ten
nessee." replied the old G. A. R. man.
Familiarity with a senator was
something new for him. and already
he was Strengthening up and becom-
ing more of 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. reckon" ech
oed the Confederate. You remember
the battle of era wfordsville?"
The old Federal smiled with joyous
recollection.
do 1? Well. / should say did,
Were you there, senator?"
.sWas there? Why. | remember
every shot that was fred. 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.
sour 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 turnedp' he gasped. Don't
tell me that! was there, and. besides
of twice week ever since '65 down In
Mississippi, and in all these years
never heard such 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.
"As colonel I've probably got more
accurate information he said.
II was colonel that evening" came
the dry retort.
"But in an inferior army. We licked
you, sirr' cried Storeman holly.
The Mississippian drew himself up
with all the dignity common to the old
Confederate soldier explaining the
war.
"The south was never whipped, sir.
We honorably surrendered, sir. We
surrendered to save the country. sir.
but we were never whipped"