Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-06-20

| the WlnG, ana there was mOurnIuI
cadence in the branches, different from
the song we hear In the northern for
ests. The ground was covered with
pine straw. and it might have been
falling there and ungathered for gen.
erations. SO tbicEly did it seem to lie.
We crossed a branch over which there
had been built an old stone bridge.
now covered with vines.
''That. sir. was built as memorial
to General Oglethorpe." said my old
host, seeing my curiosity, for the
bridge was out of all proportion to the
size of the stream. when the gen.
eral paid his memorable visit to this
place it was right there. sir. that be
drew from his pocket small flask
and after offering my grandfather a
dram took one himself You must
know, sir. that the great phiIanthropist
was supposed to be teetotaler and
certainly never took a drink 10 the
presence OF any of his colonists for
fear Of setting them a bad example.
That little act shows as nothing else
could the great confidence and esteem
in which he held my worthy progeni-
tor"
l was anxious to hear more of this
episode. but feared to get the colonel
started on what was evidently to him
an important bit Of family history and
which suspected strongly bad become
hobby. ''Some day Ellen shall walk
here with you." he added, land show
you the inscriptions on It. You will
find them interesting"
Ellen again. was beginning to feel
the keenest anxiety to meet this Ellen
and to wonder what she could be-
half cook and half lady. ! had begun
to think from the little bits l had pick
ed up concerning her during the day.
We passed from the pine trees into 4
long avenue of cedars.; and when W.
emerged from this the Pines IN .aIE its
solitary and lonely grandeur stood be-
fore Us. rich in coloring from the SET
ting sun that bathed it in crimson
glow. As l looked at it in wonderment |
II might have been dream out OF the |
past that had taken shape and f]oated
now across my vision. Its front and
sides were danked with colonial COL |
umns Of the Doric type. and the low
wings running at right angles to the
body of the house we're covered with
vines which almost bid the low porch.
This porch was supported by diminu-
tive columns Of the same graceful
curves. was so moved by the beauty
Of the whole at first that failed to
note that some Of the columns were on
the point of falling and that others
were crumbling to decay. The plaster
had fallen from many of them, show
ing dull red brick behind. But these
evidences of decay gave an additional
charm to the scene, augmenting its per-
lection as a whole and keeping It in
perfect harmony with its owner aud
the neighborhood OF that section. 1t
seemed to typify the generation then
living there and fighting against its
own decay. | was awakened from my
dreamy thought by herring the colonel
calling loudly for some one to get the
horse. Presently there came from,
around one Of the wings little. half
naked urchin. who said that Mrs. Iur.
pin had gone to the I'rig funeral, and
that Miss Ellen was cooking the din
ner, and that Young Marsa" had not
come from the fields
''Then tell Miss Ellen. Sammie. to
put another finger in the pie. for have
brought 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 large hall which was a.
wide rs any room could remember In
my grandfather's house in New Eng.
land. 1t 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 1t 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 +
digbt Of stairs. bare of carpet. but
clean and nOlished