Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-08-05
MY Friend
The Colonel
Being a Story of a Return
For a Trifiing FAVOR
By r. d. mitchell
By F. d. mitchell
Copyright By American Prem Assoc
citation, 1oil-

work. am instructor In the chem
zeal laboratory In the G.. college-a
shabby though soidierly looking mid
die aged man approached me and ask
cd II were Professor Pingree.
mo-" replied, II am simply Mr..
Pingree. am not a professor. am
a tutor In analytical chemistry"
"You are the man / am looking 10.
sub. II is the practical not the theo-
retical that want. /, too, am simply
.mistah,' having come down from colo
mel. 1 commanded a regiment In the
late unpleasantness between the south
and the moth, sub. From having a
thousand men unde' my command
am reduced to selling a compound TO
extracting grease from clothing"
There was that In the serto comic
OF the man which excited my sympa-
thy. I invited him into a room set
apart for my personal use. asked him
to be seated and waited for him to
speak further.
suh." he began, II took a coa'se in
practical chemistry. That is long
while ago, sub, but I remember
enough about the coa'se to know that
what need Is only to be gained, sub,
from such a pe'son as yo'self. AS l
have said, sub, poverty compels me
to descend from the command of a
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 rendeed
obligatory on me many things
I am a man of few words myself.
and my time is. or was then. fairly
well taken up. must head of this
garrulous son Of the south, but
would not hurt his feelings for a
farm.
1.-THE world is full OF disappoint-
ments, colonel" / interrupted. II live
on salary Of $1,000 year and have
six children. work most Of the time
and have no leisure for repining.
What can I do for your
II win come to the point immediate
ly. sub. My old mammie"-
els your old mammie concerned I'm
the object Of your visitr
Eyes. sub. My old mammie used II
liquid To- taking grease out of our
clothes when we were children. Find
ing myself obliged to wo'k TO my hv-
ing, i have taken her receipt and am
making the compound and selling It.
j would be greatly obliged to you II
you would analyze 1t and see IL yo'
can conscientiously recommend It."
He evidently had nothing to pay for
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 a sample of his
eradicator and told him that If he
would call the next day i would give
him an analysis. He appeared prompt
ly, and I informed him that his eradi-
was single drawback to II. 1t re-
moved the grease to perfection. but
also removed that part of the clothing
to which II was applied.
The expression of disappointment In
his face WAS touching. Fortunately
was able To brush 1t away. told
him there was an acid In his COM
pound that was too powerful. could
recommend another which would re-
move the grease. leaving the clothing
intact.
but. suh.'' he replied, his face light
ing up. unfortunately have no money
to buy yo' secret"
Secret be hangedl There is no Sc
cret about it, And. writing the name
of the agent referred to on a slip of
paper, i handed 1t to him.
And now. subj" he said, folding the
paper, II wish to place this indebted
ness to you on my part in such shape
that II may be liquidated in Install
ments. What Is the amount Of yo'
cha ge. sub. TO- this professional wo'k
and the suggestion written on this pa
peru
Colonel" replied. taking him by
the hand. I'VE northern people are not
all 80 devoid of humanity as you
southerners think. You are quite well
come to the trifiing assistance have
given you, and IL 1t helps one south
erner out Of the slough into which this
political bouleversement has thrown
20 many Of you 1t win make me very
happy"
We stood for few moments hand |
ln hand, looking into each others eyes
There was that in the coloneps 1 shall |
nsver forget 1t seemed to me that |
bad found brother.
Professor" he replied In voice on
tho verge Of trembling. should ! &C
,ept this favo' without giving you the
benefit Of any success that may &C
srue from It would be untrue to the |
traditions of my ancestors. You are
'rom this moment my partner.
would soon to involve you In any ex- |
,osure that may be necessary in man.
lfacturtng or marketing the compound.
,ut assure 20, sph. on the wo'd and
aonah OF southern gentleman that
shall account TO every picayune
rained and credit 20 with one-half the
,roft"
This was pathetic indeed.
Colonel" replied, don't you think
hat small loan might enable you
o purchase the necessary articles that
'rs to 90 Into your compoundT