Devils Lake weekly world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1914, 1911-08-11
~ MY Friend
The Colonel
Being a Story Of a Return
For a TrifHng Favor
By F. Il. mitchell
Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation. 1911.

Soon after the civil war while at
work. am instructor in the chem.
ical laboratory in the G.. college-a
shabby though so;dierly looking mid
die aged man approached me and ask
ed If were Professor Pingree.
mo-" replied, Il am simply Mr..
Pingree. l am not a professor. am
a tutor In analytical chemistry"
"You are the man am looking TO,
sub. 1t is the practical not the theo-
retical that want. l, too. am simply
'mistah,' having come down from colo
mel. l commanded regiment in the
late unpleasantness between the south
and the moth, sub. From having
thousand men unde' my command l
am reduced to selling compound TO-
extracting grease from clothing"
There was that in the serio comic
Of the man which excited my sympa-
thy. l invited him into room set
apart for my personal use, asked him
to be seated and waited for him to
speak further.
"When was at - university,
subj" he began, II took coa'se in
practical chemistry. That is long
while ago, sub, but remember
enough about the coa'se to know that
what need is only to be gained, sub,
from such pe'son as yo'self. As l
have said, sub, poverty compels me
to descend from the command of q
thousand men and formerly the owner
ship Of as many negroes to make the
object Of my life removing grease
spots. The results Of the victory
achieved ovah the south by the mo-
perfectly equipped moth has rende'ed
obligatory on me many things
am a man of few words myself,
and my time is, or was then, fairly
well taken up. l must head off this
garrulous son Of the south, but
would not hurt his feelings for q
farm.
"rhe world is full of disappoint-
ments, colonel" interrupted. II live
OH salary of $1,000 a year and have
six children. I work most Of the time
and have no leisure for repining.
What can do for you?"
| WILL CO4S " t1lC pOlAL
ly, sub My old mammie"-
'Is your old mammie concerned in
the object of your visit?"
eyes, sub. My old nlammie used a
liquid TO- taking grease out of our
clothes when we were children. Find.
ing myself obliged to wok TO- my liv-
ing, have taken her receipt and am
making the compound and selling it
! would be greatly obliged to you If
you would analyze it and see if go
can conscientiously recommend it."
He evidently had nothing to pay fo1
the work he required, but there was
something so forlorn about the fallen
planter and chieftain, his bearing was
so far above his calling, that my heart
was touched. took sample Of his
eradicator and told him that If he
would call the next day would give
him an analysis. He appeared prompt
~, and informed him that his eradi
Gator was an excellent one, but there
was a single drawback to 1t. 1t re
moved the grease to perfection, bu
also removed that part Of the clothing
to which 1t was applied.
The expression of disappointment il
his face was touching. Fortunately
was able to brush it away. I tolt
him there was an acid in his com
pound that was too powerful. coul'
recommend another which would re
move the grease. leaving the clothing
intact.
"But, subj" he replied, his face light
ing up, unfortunately have no none,
to buy yo' secret"
"Secret be hanged! There IS no sc
cret about it, And, writing the nam
Of the agent referred to on slip o
paper, handed it to him.
"And now, subj" he said, folding til
paper, II wish to place this indebted
ness to you on my part In such shap
, that it may be Hquidated in install
; ments. What is the amount Of "
cha'ge, sub, TO- this professional wo'
and the suggestion written on this pr
por?"
, Colonel" I replied, taking him b
j the hand, 1--WE northern people are NJ
all so devoid of humanity as 70
southerners think. You are quite we
come to the trifing assistance hay
given you, and if it helps one soutl
er1er out Of the slough into which th
, political bouleversement has throw
SO many of you it will make me ver
> happy"
, We stood for a few moments han
= in hand, looking into each others eye
There was that In the coloners sha
never forget. 1t seemed to me that
had found brother.
Professor" he replied in a voice Q
\ the verge of trembling, SHOULD l q
a cept this favo' without giving you tt
benefit Of any success that may a
!. crue from it would be untrue to tt
= traditions Of my ancestors. You al
from this moment my partner.
would soon to involve you in any e.
posture that may be necessary in ma
. ufacturing or marketing the compoun
< but assure yo', sub, on the wo'd ar
3 honah of southern gentleman TIL
< shall account TO- every picayu1
3 gained and credit yo' with one-haf Il
Z profit"
3 This was pathetic indeed.
z Colonel" replied. don't you thir
) that small loan might enable "
& to purchase the necessary articles tn
+ are to go into your compound?"
& 10 accept anything mo- till I ha
4 paid TO- what have received won
g crush me to the earth. No, sub;
3 mo-. It is now my pat to transmit