Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-03-11

VI IAN 1AA ASohSo 4AS3h "IASA P0AAS
ical strength and political leadership
may be gained.
What he finally decided on was the
engaging Of a secretary, but he must
be n with knowledge Of political OPP
erations, one who combined wisdom
with honesty. Such an aid could pre-
vent Langdon from making the many
mistakes that invariably mark the new
man in politics, and he could point out
the most effective modes Of procedure
under given circumstances. 1t might
prove difficult to find a man of the nee
essary qualifications who was not al
ready employed, but in the meantime
Langdon would watch the playing of
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 e~ndeavoring to
thrust outdoors a threadbare old man.
The victims flowing white hair, white
mustache and military bearing receiv-
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
al 1r l@ 1yrsl %~ +I~1 ~~--o ~
cried sharply.
Take your hands off that gentle
man! What do you mean by touching
a friend of NINE"
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 1 said," he drawled
in the slow way natural to some men
Of the south when trouble threatens.
"I'd 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'
interfere wild a 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.
r Ppm very much obliged to you, SIR
) he said. Ppm Colonel Stoneman, an
old soldier"
$ The Mississippian stretched forth his
: hand.
"My name is Langdon, sir-Senator
i Langdon Of Mississippi. l am an old
soldier too"
t Delighted, SENATOR" exclaimed the
Y seedy looking old man, taking the of
i fered hand gratefully.
Langdon's easy method Of making
friends was we'll illustrated as he
t 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 beer
his rule through life.
"Come right over. colonel; have ;
j. cigar, sir" Then. as they lighted
e their cigars, be inquired, "What army
o corps were you with, colonel?"
ST was under Grant along the Ten
nessee." replied the old G. A. r. man
Familiarity with a senator wa
something new for him, and alread,
he was Strengthening up and becom
ing more of a man every moment
Langdon was thoroughly interested.
ST was along the Tennessee unde
Beauregard," he said.
Great generals, sir! Great genel
als!" exclaimed Colonel Stoneman.
"And great fighting, I reckon!" eel
oed the Confederate. you remembe
the battle of Charlottesville"
The old Federal smiled with joyou
recollection.
"Do I? Well, l should say l die
Were you there, senator"
WAS 1 there? Why, l remembe
every shot that was fired. l was III
der Kirby, who turned your left wing.
The attitude of the northern soldie
changed instantly. He drew himse
up with cold dignity. Plainly he fe
that he had the honor of his army t
sustain.
"Our left wing was never turne'
STRIP he exclaimed with dignity.
III Langdon stared at him with amaz
ment. This was a point Of view tt
10 Confederate had never heard before.
"Never turnedv' he gasped. don
~. tell me that! was there, and, beside
I've fought this battle on an averae
Of twice a week ever since '65 down
90 Mississippi, and in all these years
-, never heard such a foolish statement
"What rank were you, sir" aske
~ the Union soldier haughttly.