Alma record., 1914-02-26

wv Sa~e
The Other Got Up asd Stood Before
the ManteLPseos n Napoieonlc
Attitude
You don't mean to say" cried his
hearer In genuine astonishment, that
Virginia has lineal descendant of the
tourney"
The major nodded. Yes Certain
too. but 1t has died out there. It
exists now only in this state. It's
a curious thing that the old knightly
meetings of the middle ages should
survive today only on American soil
and in a corner of Virginia"
Doctor Southall. meanwhile, had set
his gaze on the litter Of pamphlets. He
turned with an appreciative eye.
You're beginning in earnest. The
Agricultural Department. And the
Congressional frank"
I'm afraid I'm a sad sketch as
scientist" laughed Valiant MY
point Of view has to be a somewhat
practical one. l must be self-support-
ing. Damory Court is a big estate.
1t has grain lands and forest as we'll.
II my ancestors lived from 1t, | can.
It's not only that" he went on more
slowly, II Want to make the most OF
the place for its own sake, too. Not
only Of its possibilities for earning,
but Of It's natural beauties. lack the
resources l once had, but l can give
1t thought and work, and If they can
bring Damory Court back to anything
even remotely resembling what 1t once
was, III not spare either"
The major smote his knee and even
the doctors face showed a grim, II
transient approval. II believe you'll
do it," exclaimed the former. And
let me say, sab. that the neighbor-
hood is not unaware of the splendid
generosity which is responsible for
the present lack of which you speak"
Valiant put out his hand with a
little gesture Of depreciation, but the
other disregarded 1t. "Confound It,
sab, 1t was to be expected Of Va
liant. Your ancestors wrote their
names in capital letters over this
country. They were an up and down
lot, but good or bad land. as Southall
says, reckon"-he nodded toward the
great portrait above the couch-"they
weren't all little woolly lambs) they
did big things in big way"
Valiant leaned forward eagerly, a
question on his lips. But at the mo-
ment q diversion occurred in the
shape of Uncle Jefferson, who re-en-
tered. bearing tray on which set sun
dry jugs and clinking glasses. glow
ing with white and green and gold.
You old humbug," said the doctor.
don't you know the majors that pol
soned with mint-juleps already that he
can't get UP before eight in the morn
ing?"
We'll. suh," Uttered Uncle Jeffer-
son, "Ah done Soun' er mint-baid down
below de Kitchens dis mawnin'. Yo'-
all gemmun' bout dc bigges' expuhts
in dis yeah county. en- All reckn
Mars Valiant sho' 'sist on yo' sam
plin' et.'
"Sah," said the major feelingly,
turning to his host, I'm proud to
drink your health in the typical bev-
erage of Virginia!" He touched
glasses with Valiant and glared at the
doctor. who was slipping his own
thoughtfully. Poems have been writ
ten on the julep, sah."
They make good epitaphs, too, OBJ
served the doctor.
II noticed your glass isn't going
begging" the major retorted. "Unc'
Jefferson, that's as good mint as grew
In the gyarden of Eden. See that
those lazy niggers of yours don't grub
the patch out by mistake"
"Yas, sah." said Uncle Jefferson, as
he retired with the tray. "Ah gwine-
ter put er fence eroun' dat ar bald TO
sundown."
The question that had sprung to
Valiant's lips now found utterance. Il
saw you look at the portrait there y
he said to the major. Which OF my
ancestors is it?"
The other got up and stood before
the mantel-piece in a Napoleonic atti-
tude. That" he said, fixing his eye
glasses, "is your great-grandfather
Devil-John Valiant"
"Devil-John!" echoed his host. Yes,
I've heard the name"
The doctor guffawed. "He earned
it, I reckon. never realized what a
sinister expression that missing optic
gives the old ruffian. There was
skirmish during the war on the hill
side yonder and a bullet cut 1t out.
When we were boys we used to call
him old One-Eye.'
1T interests me enormously" John
Valiant spoke explosively.
THE stories of Devil-John would fill
a mighty big book" said the major.
by all accounts he ought to have
lived in the middle ages" Crossing
tho ljbrary he looked into the dining