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

concerning the relationship with the
Kentucky Palmers- As long as
thought / was going to go to an inn Of
some kind or to pay my board had
not thought it worth while TO explain
the mistake into which the colonel had
fallen. l felt it to be too late now to
confess that in all likelihood there was
no kinship at all or. if any. so remote
as to form no ties OF blood and GER
tainly not TO earn for me any consider
alton on that score. Feeling like a
culprit. l threw myself on the bed, de-
termined TO leave the Pines at the first
moment l could do so without offend
ing my kind old host
When the pickaninny. Sam knocked
at my door to tell me that dinner was
served he found me prepared to do
justice to anything in the way Of food
which might be placed before me. l
had been travelling all day, to all in
tents and purposes without anything
to eat While anxious to satisfy my
hunger. yet it was with some feeling
of embarrassment that 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 one of the side wings. There
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 l feel no resentment
on account of your natural mistake
have taken the liberty Of asking you
TO Join me in one Of these, sir" hold
ing the goblet as If pledging my
| health.
This delicious fluid should be sinHed
| only while sitting. but as the family is
assembled for dinner / will ask you
( to forego the pleasure Of a chat over
our juleps and drink standing. l
/ pledge your health. sir. and that OF
your kinsfolk. the friends of my young
manhood"
1t 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 l 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 / hope you will soon address az
Bud. Ellen. my dear. bid our guest.
Mr.. Palmer. welcome. for he is kins.
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 TO
yours"
She extended her hand. which I took
and for the first time looked into that
frank. open face | 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 hands small and
white. These were the only things
about her that sank them into my
memory.
Mr.. Palmer, father has taken US
somewhat By surprise. and you mus
excuse many things. but we make yoI
right welcome, and when you get tire
of playing billiards with Ellen anC
talking politics with father ! have 4,
good dog and gun at your disposal"
The young man who was addressing
me was tall and big. and when ! hat
first entered had mistaken him for
lubberly farm hand. but here he was
making me welcome with the ease OF
cOurtier. Mrs. Turpin was a small
delicate looking woman. but was gown
ed in a faded royal purple velvet, evi
IDENTIFY the remnant of an anterior date
You young people can make plan
at the table. In the meantime FL
lens roast is getting cold" said tn
colonel. Then remembered about tn
cooking and thought for a momen
what a sacrilege it would be to devou
anything prepared by those Lowell,
hands. but a sudden convulsive PAM
of hunger banished my sentimental
thought, and offered my arm gladl.
to Mrs. Turpin. while she led the wa!
to the dining room. 1t was, in fact, al
immense hall, wainscoted with oak
but the walls above the paneling wer
. stained and, as far as l could see, evel
. moldy. 1t was a gloomy looking place
but the table was made bright AM
heerfUl by two big candlesticks. On
: The table was profusion of dishe
some silver. others of rare old china
r and. as I saw later there was hardl.
I one OF the latter which was not broker
: or Clipped, but each steamed wit
some savOry vegetable or meat, and
\ soon fell in the way Of handing plate
q around the table and helping other
= from the dishes in front of or near me
- just as we were wont TO do in the raj
T road eating houses in New Englan
= when ! was a boy. The conversation
4 was easy and homelike, and l say
p at once that I was not looked upon a
' a stranger No questions were aske