Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-06-25

Of embarrassment that I started down;
stairs to meet the colonel. he met me
at the foot Of the steps and, motion
Ing me to follow him, led me to a
room In ono Of the side wings. There
I saw two silver goblets. frosted On
the outside, with their rims complete
~ hidden by long and graceful punches
Of mint. Without sitting down he
handed me one and took the other
himself.
"Of late years, Mr.. Palmer" he said,
I'VE have abandoned the time honored
custom Of drinking mint juleps before
our dinner, but in order that you may
feel perfectly at home and rest certain
Of the fact that I feel no resentment
on account Of your natural mistake I
have taken the liberty Of asking you
to join me in one Of these. SIR" hold
ing the goblet % II pledging my
health.
'eThis delicious duid should be slipped
only while sitting, but as the family Is
assembled for dinner I will ask you
to forego the pleasure Of a chat over
our Jhleps and drink standing. I
pledge your health, sir, and that Of
your kinsfolk, the friends Of my young
manhood"
It was the first julep I had ever
tasted, and I shall never forget with
what delicious force the straw threw
the liquor against the roof Of my
mouth. The goblets were soon emp
tied, and I was ushered into the parlor.
where we were evidently expected. for
the occupants were standing.
Mr.. Palmer. let me present you to
my wife, Mrs. Turpin; to my daughter.
Ellen, and to my son, Howell Cobb.
whom l hope you will soon address as
Bud. Ellen, my dear, bid our guest,
Mr.. Palmer. welcome, for he is hns-
man of my old friends the Palmers Of
Kentucky. Of whom you have so often
heard me speak,"
ANY friend whom my father brings
to US is welcome, Mr.. Palmer, but we
make you doubly welcome on account
Of the ties which bind our house 70
yours"
She extended her hand, which l took
and for the first time looked into that
frank, open face. I did not think her
beautiful then, but was unprepared
for the subtle ease and grace Of man
ner and the exquisite poise Of her head
and the patrician face that was turned
to me without any sign Of embarrass-
ment whatever. her eyes were large
and brown and her hsuds small and
white. These were the only things
about her that sank them into my
memory.
"Mr. Palmer, father has taken ~
bomewhat BY surprise. and you must
excuse many things, but We make you
right welcome, and when you get tired
Of playing billiards with Ellen and
talking politics with father l have q
good dog and gun at your disposal"
The young man who was addressing
me was tall and big, and when I had
first entered had mistaken him for a
lubberly farm hand, but here he was,
making me welcome with the ease Of q
courtier. Mrs. Turpin was a small,
delicate looking woman, but was gown.
Cd In faded royal purple velvet evi-
IDENTITY the remnant Of an anterior date.
you young people can make plans
at the table. In the meantime FL
lens roast is getting cold," said the
colonel. Then l remembered about tho
cooking and thought for q moment
what a sacrilege it would be to devour
anything prepared by those lovely
hands, but a sudden convulsive pang
Of hunger banished my sentimental
thought, and l offered my arm gladly
10 Mrs. Turpin, while she led the way
10 the dining room. 1t was, in fact an
immense hall, wainscoted with oak,
but the walls above the paneling were
stained and, as far as could see, even
noldy. 1t was gloomy looking place,
but the table was made bright and
cheerful by two big candlesticks. On
the table was a profusion Of dishes.
some silver, others Of rare old china,
and, as l saw later, there was hardly
one Of the latter which was not broken
q Clipped, but each steamed with
some savory vegetable or meat, and
soon fell in the way Of handing plates