The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-08-03
NY Friend
The Colonel
Being a Story of a Return
For a Trifiing FaVor
By F. Il. mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911

Soon after the civil war while at
work. am instructor in the chem
tcal laboratory In the G.. college-a
shabby though soldierly looking mid
die aged man approached me and ask
ed IL were Professor Pingree.
NO." replied. II am simply Mr..
Pingree. / am not professor. l am
a tutor In analytical chemistry"
"You are the man l am looking TO,
sub. 1t Is the practical not the theo-
retical that want. 1. too, am simply
.mistah,' having come down from colo
mel. I commanded a regiment In the
late unpleasantness between the south
and the moth. sub. From having a
thousand men unde' my command I
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 a 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 a long
while ago, sub. but l remember
enough about the coa'se to know that
what / need L. only to be gained, sub.
from such peson as yo'self. AS
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
am a man Of few words myself,
and my time Ia, or was then, fairly
well taken up. must head on this
gnrrulous son of the south. but /
would not hurt his feelings for a
farm
,"rhe world Is full of disappoint-
ments, colonel" interrupted. II live
on a salary of $1,000 year and have
six children. l work most of the time
and have no leisure for repining.
What can do for your
II will come to the point Immediate
ly, sub. My old mammie"-
"Is your old mammie concerned In
the object of your visit2"
"Yes, sub. My old mammie used n
LIQUID To- taking grease out Of our
clothes when we were children. Find,
ing myself obliged to wok TO- my liv-
ing, l have taken her receipt and am
making the compound and selling It
would be greatly obliged to you If
you would analyze 1t and see II 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
80 far above his calling, that my heart
was touched l took a sample OF bis
eradicator and told him that II be
would call the next day would give
him an analysis. He appeared prompt
ly, and Informed him that his eradi
Gator was an excellent one, but there
was a single dra wback to It 1t re-
moved the grease to perfection, but
also removed that part Of the clothing
to which 1t 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, subj" he replied. his face light
fng up. unfortunately. have no money
to buy yo' secret"
Secret be hangedi There is no Sc
cret about it" And, writing the name
of the agent referred to on a slip Of
paper, l handed 1t to him
And now. suh," he said, folding the
paper. II wish to place this indebted
ness to you on my part in such shape
that 1t may be liquidated in install
ments. What is the amount Of yo'
cha'ge, sub, TO this professional wok
and the suggestion written on this pa
per"
Colonel" replied, taking him by
the hand, I'VE northern people are not
all 30 devoid of humanity as you
southerners think. You are quite well
come to the trifling assistance have
given you. and If it helps one south
erner out Of the slough into which this
political bouleyersement has thrown
so many of you 1t will make me very
happy"
We stood for a few moments hand
In hand. looking into each others eyes.
There was that In the colonels shall
never forget It seemed to me that i
had found a brother.
Professor" he replied in voice on
the verge of trembling. should l &C
cept this favo' without giving you the
benefit Of any success that may &C
crue from 1t I would be untrue to the
traditions Of my ancestors You are
from this moment my partner.
would soon to involve you In any ex-
posture that may be necessary in man.
or marketing the compound,
but assu'e yo'. sub, on the wo'd and
honah of southern gentleman that
l shall account To- every picayune
gained andtcredit yo' with one-half the
profit
This was pathetic indeed.
Colonel" I replied, don't you think
that a small loan might enable you
to purchase the necessary articles that
are to go into your compoundr