The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1911-08-30
MY FrIend
The Colonel
Being a Story of a Return
For a TrifIing Favor
ByF. II. mitchell
Copyright BY American Press AssO-
,faAIora Icf1
B,E. Il. mitchell


work. am instructor in the chem
teal laboratory In the G. college
shabby though soldierly looking mid
die aged man approached me and ask
ed IL were Professor Pingree.
mo-" replied, 81 am simply Mr.
Pingrea. / am not a professor. an
q tutor in analytical chemistry"
"You are the man am looking To-
sub. It Is the practical not the thee
retical that 1 want. 1, too, am simply
'mistah,' having come down from colo
mel. commanded q regiment In the
late unpleasantness between the soutl
and the moth, sub. From having Z
thousand men unde' my command
am reduced to selling compound 70
extracting grease from clothing"
There was that in the serio comic
OF the man which excited my sympa
thy. 1 invited him into a room SCI
apart for my personal use, asked hin
to be seated and waited for him tt
speak further.
when was at university
suh," he began, al took a coa'se In
practical chemistry. That is a 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
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. I must head or this
gaRrulous son OF the south, but /
would not hurt his feelings for a
farm
THE world Is full of disappoint-
ments, colonel" interrupted. al live
on a salary OF 1920 a year and have
six children. work most of the time
and have no leisure for repining.
What can do for your"
81 win come to the point immediate
ly, sub. My old mammie"-
lis your old mammie concerned In
the object OF your yisit?"
Yes, sub. My old mammie used n
liquid 70 taking grease out Of our
clothes 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 1t.
I would be greatly obliged to you If
you would analyze 1t and see II 20
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 chieftaln, his bearing was
70 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 would give
him an analysis. He appeared prompt
~, and I informed him that his eradi-
Gator was IN excellent one, but there
was a single drawback 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. 1 told
him there was an acid in his COM
pound that was too powerful. I could
another which would re-
move the grease, leaving the clothing
intact.
But, subj" he replied, his face light
Ing up, unfortunately have no money
to buy 20 secret"
Secret be hanged! There is no Sc
cret about It" And, writing the name
Of the agent referred to on a slip of
paper, handed 1t to him.
And now, subj" he said, folding the
paper, 81 wish to place this indebted
ness to you on my part in such shape
that 1t may be Hquidated In install
ments. What Is the amount of yo'
chA'ge, sub, TO- this professional wo'k
and the suggestion written on this pa
perF'
Colonel" replied, taking him by
the hand, I'VE northern people are not
all so devoid Of humanity as you
sOutherners think. You are quite well
come to the trifing assistance I have
given you, and If 1t helps one south
amer out OF the slough into which this
political bouleVersement has thrown
70 many Of you It will make me very
happy"
We stood for a few moments hand |
n hand, looking into each others eyes.
There was that In the colonePs shall
lever forget. 1t seemed to me that /
lad found a brother.
Professor" he replied In a voice on
he verge Of trembling, should 1 &C
'ept this favo' without giving you the
'eneflt OF any success that may ac-
rue from II would be untrue to the |
traditions Of my ancestors. You are
rom this moment my partner. III
would soon to involve you in any ex-
OOsure that may be necessary In man
IfRcturing or marketing the compound,
ut / assu'e 20, sub, on the wo'd and
lonah Of a southern gentleman that
shall account TO every picayune
aimed and credit 20 with one<half the
'roft."
This was pathetic indeed. ,.ll-r
Colonel" replied. don't you think
hat q small loan might enable you
o purchase the necessary articles that
re to 90 into your eompoundr
To accept anything mo- till have
aid TO what l have received would
rush me to the earth. No, sub; no
no.. 1t Is now my pat to transmit to
ou, not you to me-"
With a warm pressure OF the hand
o went to the door, where he turnedI
nd made me formal bow.
How the colonel secured the little
apital necessary to begin operations /
Id not know, but within a month he
emit me sample bottle OF his grease
neatly done up, with 1t
ote saying that he would accent one
lore favor. II my conscience and my
onor would admit OF my signing a
-Atement for publication that / had
nalyzed the remover" and recon.
iended It he thought that 1t would |
AXE a great difference In the facil-
y with which 1t could be introduced