The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-04
The Other Got Up and Stood Before
the ManteI.Pieee In a NapoIeonIc
Attitude.


bucks a chance to rig out in silly toy.
gerry and prance their colts before lot
Of petticoats!"
It's an annual affair."" explained the
major: "a kind OF spectacle. For
many years, by the way, it has been
held on a part Of this estate-perhaps
you will have no objection to it's use
this season ?-and at night there is a.
dance at the Country Club. BY the
way, you must let me introduce you
there-tomorrow I've taken the liberty
already OF putting your name up"
Good lord!" growled the doctor,
aside. He counts himself young! II
I'D reached your age, Bristow-"
You have" said the major, nettled.
-Four years ago!-As l was saying.
Mr.. Valiant, they ride for a prize. It's
a very ancient thing-I've seen refer
ences to 1t in colonial manuscript
in The Byrd Library at Westover. No
doubt it's come down directly from
the old jousts."
you don't mean to say" cried his
nearer IN genuine astonishment. that
Virginia has lineal descendant of the
tourney?"
The major nodded. Eyes. Certain
sections OF Kentucky used to have IT.
TOO, but 1t has died out there. It
exists now only In this state. It's
curious thing that the old knightly
meetings of the middle ages should
survive today only on American soil
and in 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. Tho
Agricultural Department And the
Congressional frank"
I'm afraid I'm a sad sketch as a
scientfsA," laughed Valiant. my
point or view has to be a somewhat
practical one. l must be selfsupport-
Ing. Damory Court is a big estate
II has grain lands and forest as we'll
IL my ancestors lived from 1t, can
lts not only that" he went on more
SLOWLY Il want to make the most Of
the place for it's own sake, too. Not
only OF it's possibilities for earning.
but or its natural beauties. lack the
resources / once had, but l can give
1t thought and work, and If they can
Drlng 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. Il 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 it. "Confound it.
sab, 1T was to be expected of a Va
liant. Your ancestors wrote their
names in capital letters over this
country. They We're an up and down
lot, but good or bad (and, 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 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 poi.
soned with mintjuleps already that he
can't got up before eight In the morn.
ing?"
We'll. suh," Uttered Uncle Jeffer-
son. "Ah done foun' er mint.bad down
below dc kitchens dis mawnin'. Yo'-
all gemmun' bout dc bigges expuhts
in dis yeah county. en- All reck'n
Mars Valiant sho' sist on yo' sam
plin ct"
Sab" said tho major feelingly.
turning to his host, I'm proud to
drink your health in the typical bev.