Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-22

evidences OF decay gave an additional
charm to the scene. augmenting its per-
lection as a whole and keeping II in
perfect harmony with its owner and
the neiGhborhood of that section. IL
seemed to typify the generation then
living there and fighting against its
own decay. ] was awakened from my
dreamy thought by hearing the colonel
calling loudly for some one to get the
horse. Presently there came from
around one OF the wings a little. half
naked urcbin. who said that Mrs. Tur-
pin had gone to the Trig funeral. and
that Miss Ellen was cooking the din
ner. and that Young Marsa" mad not
come from the fields.
Then tell Miss Ellen. Sammie. to
put another finger in the pie. for | have
brought u guest home with me. Now.
sir" turning to me. If you will come
with me. will show you your room
and bid you make yourself at home"
We passed under the huge doorway
and entered a large hail which was as
wide as any room could remember in
my uOuSc III We"
land. II was almost bare OF furniture.
There were two or more large mahog-
any sofas which had once been lined
with black horSehair. but this latter
was so much worn that the mating
showed beneath IL in places, and In
others it was patched with bright col
Ored calico and sometimes with pieces
of faded silk. The colonel led me up
diGht of stairs. bare OF carpet, but
clean and polished
You will be right over the billiard
ROOM" he said. opening door which
led into a beautifully lighted room on
the east side. standing in the center of
which was a large. canopied bed. III
YOU care for billiards." he continued
Il will wager that Ellen can give you
ten points and beat you out And now.
SIR We have dinner at O'Clock. for
Bud likes TO have his dinner when be
comes from the field instead of in the
middle OF the day, as ne says ne feels
more IKE d gentleman. Unul then,
sir. I nope you rest we'll"
had NOT asked the question oerora
tHt now summoned the courage 90
say:
Colonel. there is one little thing
should like to have settled. Business
is business, you know" | said. laugh
ing, for l did not like the look of dig
nifty he suddenly assumed at the men,
! ton OF business. in justice to both
{ Of US | ought 10 ask you how much
/ will be my board by the week"
Had General OglctEorpe himself arts
/ en- to confront the colonel do not
think he could have shown more sur
/ prise than he did at my simple ques-
ton. He drew himself up with dig
nifty which was truly commanding.
and. speaking in a suppressed voice, be
asked me.
When have the Turpins adopted the
! custom of taking money from their
guests. beg you to tell me. sir? II
/ you were not a kinsmaD of my dear
friends. the Palmers, | would at once
show you the door
i | stood covered with confusion. Il
humbly beg your pardon if | have of.
Tended you. colonel. and | am greatly
. mortified 10 have so deeply wounded
you, but until this moment / thought
you had been kind enough TO receive
me aS boarder. felt grateful enough
for that and you should not put me
under obligations which / can never re
pay aud which have no right to &C
cept But yOu yourself are somewhat
to blame" ] added quickly. for | saw
that he was still deeply offended. You
told me that ] might get board IN one
Of the farmhouses and Immediately
offered NE the hospitality Of YOU
roof"
The Turpins are not farmers, sir
they are planters. and If We have e
cook our own meals we serve then
with DO less degree Of hospitality thar
when a niger stood at each door al
the beck and call of everybody in the
room"
Colonel Turpin, hope you will for
give me my stupid blunder or else le
me leave your house at once"
His face relented into a smile, and
extending his hand. he grasped uine.
As you say. lad, am not blamelesi
in the matter. But we are getting s
little sensitive down here And now
forget all about il, and. what is more
don't ever mention it TO Ellen or 4
Bud. for they would think their ciC
father had been lacking in dignity. elst
mistake OF this kind were impos
sibie'
! When he lefI me fell prey to re