Smyrna times., 1911-08-16

Soon arter the civil war while at
work. am instructor in the chem
ical laboratory in the G. college-a
shabby though soldierly looking mid
die aged man approached me and ask
ed if were Professor Pingree.
NO" l replied. II am simply Mr..
Pingree. l am not a professor. am
a tutor in analytical chemistry"
You are the man l am looking fO',
sub. 1t is the practical not the theo-
retical that want. l, too. am simply
'mistah.' having come down from colo
mel. l commanded a regiment in the
late unpleasantness between the south
and the moth. sub. From having a
thousand men unde' my command 1
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 a 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. II took a coa'se in
practical chemistry. That is a long
while ago. sub, but l remember
enough about the coa'se to know that
what 1 need is only to be gained, sub,
from such a peson as yoself. AS
have said, sub. poverty compels me
20 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 rende'ed
obligatory on me many things
l am a man of few words myself,
and my time is, or was then, fairly
we'll taken up. 1 must head off this
garrulous son Of the south, but
would not hurt his feelings for a
farm.
'"The world is full Of disappoint-
ments, colonel" 1 interrupted II live
on a salary of $1,000 a year and have
six children. l work most Of the time
and have no leisure for repining
What can do for you"
Il will come to the point immediate
ly, sub. My old mamm6e"-
rs your old mammie concerned IL
the object of your visit?"
Yes, sub. My old Tammie used ;
liquid TO taking grease out of Ou
clothes when we were children. Find
ing myself obliged to wO'k fo' my liV
ing, / have taken her receipt and an
making the compound and selling il
l would be greatly obliged to you
you would analyze it and see if yO
can conscientiously recommend it."
He evidently had nothing to pay TO
the work he required, but there wa
something so forlorn about the falle
planter and chieftain, his bearing wa
so far above his calling. that my hear
was touched. l took a sample of hi
eradicator and told him that If b
would call the next day l would Civ
him an analysis. He appeared prOmp'
ly, and l informed him that his Grad
Gator was an excellent one, but ther
was a single drawback to it. 1t II
moved the grease to perfection, bu
also removed that part of the clothin
to which it was applied.
The expression of disappointment
his face was touching. Fortunately
was able to brush it away. l tol
him there was an acid in his con
pound that was too powerful. | coul
J recommend another which would r.
move the grease. leaving the clothin
intact.
But, suh," he replied, his face ngh
ing up, unfortunately have no none
l to buy yo' secret"
= Secret be hanged! There is no s
cret about it." And, writing the nan
of the agent l referred to on a slip {
; paper, handed it to him.
"And now, suh," he said, folding Il
paper, 81 wish to place this indebte
ness to you on my part in such shaI
, that it may be liquidated' in insta
!, ments. What is the amount of y
cha'ge. sub. fo' this professional wo
a and the suggestion written on this p
peri"
{ Colonel" I replied. taking him |
the hand. I'VE northern people are n
all so devoid of humanity as yC
u southerners think. You are quite we
i, come to the trifiing assistance l hal
given you, and if it helps one sout
erner out Of the slough into which th
U political bouleversement has throw
4 so many of you it will make me vel
!. happy"
Il We stood for a few moments han
). in hand, looking into each others eye
! There was that in the coloners l shi
never forget. 1t seemed to ME that
, had found a brother.
% Professor" he replied IN a voice {
N the verge of trembling, should l a
y cept this favo' without giving you Il
ot benefit Of any success that may a
y y crue from it would be untrue to Il
rv traditions of my ancestors. You a
$. from this moment my partner.
would soon to involve you in any e
posure that may be necessary in ma
ufacturing or marketing the compoun
but l assu'e yo', sub. on the wo'd al
honah of a southe'n gentleman tn