The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-04-07
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ner windows. Then that CHASTITY story
OF the slave he pressed, to death in the
hogshead Of tobacco"
know" acquiesced Mrs. Mason
He was a cruel man and wicked, too
ret OF course he was 3 gentleman. In
the South the test of gentleman has
never been what he does, but who he
Is. But his grandson, Beauty Valiant,
who lived at Damory Court thirty
years ago, wasn't his type at all. He
was only twenty-five when the duel
occurred"
He must have been brilliant" said
the visitor, ito have founded that
great corporation. It's pity the son
didn't take after him. Have you seen
the papers lately? It seems that
though he was to blame for the wreck
ing of the concern they can't do any
thing to him. Some technicality in
the law, 1 suppose. But If man Is
only rich enough they can't convict
him of anything. Why he should sud
denly make up his mind to come down
here l can't see. With that old af-
fair of his fathers behind him, 1
should think he'd prefer Patagonia"
Il take it, then, madam" Doctor
Southalrs forbidding voice rose from
the doorway, that you are familiar
with the circumstances Of that old af-
fair, as you term it?"
The lady bridled. Her passages at
arms with the doctor did not invaria-
bly, tend to sweeten her disposition.
Pm sure I only know what people
say" she said.
People?'" snorted the doctor iras-
chilly. Just another name for COM
munity that's perfect sink Of mean
ness and malice. If one believed all
he heard here he'd quit speaking to
his own grandmother"
You will admit, l suppose" said
Mrs. Clifford with some spirit, that
the name Valiant isn't what it used
to be in this neighborhood?"
81 will, madam" responded the doc
tor When Valiant left this place "a
mark Of good taste, I've always consid-
cred it, he left it the worse, if posi-
BILE, for his departure. Your remark
however, would seem to imply de-
merit on his part. Was he the only
man who ever happened to be at the
lucky end Of a dueling-ground?"
Then it isn't true that Valiant was
a dead shot and Sassoon intoxicated?"
Madam" said the doctor, 81 have
no wish to discuss the details of that
unhappy incident with you or anybody
else. 1 was one of those present, but
the circumstances you mention have
never been descanted upon by me-"
81 see by the papers, said Mrs. Gift
ford, with an air of resignedly chang
ing the subject, they've been investi-
eating the failure of the Valiant Cor
poration. The son seems to be get
ting the sharp end of the stick. Per
haps he's coming down here because
they've made it so hot for him in
New York. Well, I'm afraid he'll find
this county disappointing"
HE will that!" agreed the doctor
savagely. mo doubt he imagines he's
coming to kindly countryside of gen
tle-born people with souls and imagi-
nations; he'll find he's lit in section
that's entirely too ready to hack at his
fathers name and prepared in ad-
vance to call him Northern scum and
turn up it's nose at his accent--a COM
munity so full Of dyed-in-the-wool
snobbery that it would make Boston
look like a poor-white barbecue. I'm
sorry for him!"
Just then from the rear of the house
came a strident voice:
- IT. ~ -
outer dem cherries! Don yo' know eff
yo' swallahs dem ar pits, yo' gwineter
hab 'pendegeetus en- lump up en- die?"
The sound of slap and shrill yelp
followed, and around the porch dashed
an infantile darkey, as nude as black
/ Puck, with his hands full of cherries,
! who came to sudden demoralized
stop in the embarrassing foreground.
"Ralph!" Numbered the doctor.
Didn't tell you to go back to that
kitchen?"
Yes, suh," responded the imp. But
/ yo' didn' tell me ter stay dar!"
IF see you out here again. roared
the doctor, Ill tie your ears back
and grease you-and SWALLOW
you'll" At which grisly threat, the
apparition, with shrill shrek, turned
and ran desperately for the corner OF
the house.
Il hear" said the doctor, resuming,
that the young man who came to fix
the place up has hired Uncle Jeffer-
son and his wife to help him. Who's
responsible for that interesting infor-
mation?'
hickey Snyder" said Mrs. Mason
shes got spy-glass rugged up IN
sugar-tree at Miss Matte Sue
and she saw them potterfng around
there this morning"
Little limb!" exclaimed Mrs. Gift
ford, with emphasis "She's as cheeky
as a town-hog. I can't imagine what
Shirley cambridge was thinking OF
when she brought that low-born child
out of her sphere"
Something like growl came from
the doctor as he struck open the
screen-door. "Limbn I'll bet ten
dollars she's an angel in a cedar
tree at church fair compared with
some better-born young ones know
of who are only fit to live when
they've got the scarlet-fever and who
ought to be in the reformatory long
ago. And as for Shirley cambridge
it's my opinion she and her mother
and few others like her have go'
about the only drops Of the milk OF
human kindness in this whole aban
doned community"
Dreadful mani" said Mrs. Clifford
soto voce, as the door banged vicious
ly. ITO think Of his being born &
Southall! Sometimes / can't believe
it,"