The searchlight., 1911-12-29
My Friend
The Colonel
Being a Story of a Return
For a TrifHng Favor
b. F. n. mitchell
Copyright ~ American Press Asso-
citation, lS11

| ed IL 1 were Professor Plngree.
NO." ] replied. Il am simply Mr.
Pingree. I am not q professor. am
q tutor In analytical chemistry"
You are the man l am looking TO.
sub. 1t Is the practical not the tbeo.
retical that ] want 1. too. am simply
'mistah.' having come down from colo
mel I commanded q 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 fo'
| 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 l was at - university.
suh." he began. Il took a 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 a pe'son as yo'self. As
=, have said. sub. poverty compels me
i 10 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
pe'fectly equipped moth has rendeed
obligatory on Inc many things
am a man OF few words myself,
and my time IL. or was then. fairly
well taken up. | must head OF this
garrulous son of the south. but I
would not hurt his feelings for q
farm.
"The world Is full Of disappoint
ments. colonel" interrupted. II live
Oh a salary of Sl.2oO year and have
six children. ! work most of the time
pnd have no leisure for repining.
What can do for your
II will come Ia the point immediate.
ly. sub Ny old mammie"-
is your old mammie concerned IN
the object OF your yisitf''
Yes, sub. My old nmmmi. used u
liquid TO taking grease out of ou,
Iclothes when we were children Find
ing myself obliged to wo'k TO my liv.
ing. ! have taken her receipt and am
making the compound and selling Ii.
II would be greatly obliged TO you II
Iyou would analyZe Ii and see IL yo'
can conscientiousIy recommend It."
He evidently had nothing to pay for
the work he required. but there was
something So forlorn about the fallen
Iplanter and chieftain, his bearing was
loo far above his calling. that my heart
was touched. took sample Of his
eradicator and told him that II he
would call the next day would give
him an analysis. He appeared prompt
~, and | informed him that his eradi.
Gator WIS an excellent one, but there
was a single dra wback to it. II re
moved the grease to perfection. but
also removed that part Of the clothing
70 which II was applied
The expression of disappointment IN
his face was touching. Fortunately
was able u brush II away. ! told
him there was An acid in his com
pound that was too powerful I coult
recommend another which would re
move the grease. leaving the ciothin,
, intact
But. suh." 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 I referred To on "A slip o
paper, handed 1t to him.
And now, suh." he said. folding tn
; paper. Il 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'l
and the suggestion written on this pa
- psrf"
Colonel" ! replied. taking him b.
the hand. I'VE northern people are no
al 30 devoid Of humanity as yo'
ooutherners think. You are quite wei
come to the trifiing assistance ] hav
given you. and II II helps one south
= sener out Of the slough into which thi
political bouleversement has throw
I % many Of you u viii make me yer
happy"
We stood for Q few moments aan,
m hand. looking into each others e. 4,
There was that in the coloners I shal
never forget 1t seemed 10 me that
had found . brother.
.Professor." he replied In q voice oI
ths verge Of trembling. should I nc
cspt this favo' without giving you tn
benedt Of any success that may &c
eue from II I would be untrue to tn
traditions Of my ancestorA You ar
nom this moment my partner.
would soon to involve you In any ex
poGuFo that may b necessary in man
ufActuring or marketing the compound
but ] issue 20. sub. on the wo'd an,
Ao0ah Of q souths'n gentleman tina
shall account TO every picayun
0ined and credit 20 with one-haif tn
peoat"
Ih1D was pathetic indeed
sCoaooel." replied don't you thinl
eAat Q small loan might enable yo'