The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-12-14

And with a last grimace at the tan
gled thing that lay in the grass, he
linked his arm in David's, and bob
bling ridiculously along, led him
through the woods.
Toinette walked on the other side.
David moved in happy dream. They
reached the door Of Conrod's tavern,
east of the village-a square, low
house of stone, two feet thick in the
walls and with the most picturesque
of small-paned windows, vine-cur-
tained-Mr. O'Bannon accompanying
his jerky progress with a flow of elo-
quence on the advantages of COrydon,
where, it seemed, he and his daughter
had recently arrived from New Or
leans.
"Hurrall," he exclaimed as they en-
tered the low doorway. Here's Colonel
Posey; he'll find something for you to
do, be sure."'
A gentleman with hand outstretched
to David's companion came forward.
"a good morning to you, Mr.. O'Ban-
non," he cried heartily.
A fine, compelling figure of a man
was Colonel Thomas Posey, as he tow
cred over little Mr.. O'Bannon, who
stood looking up at him with side
wise cock of the head. Splendidly he
filled his buff-trimmed, light blue
army coat, with It's huge collar reach
ing up to his ears. His big shoulder
cape and his cooked hat, with its black
and white cockade, lay on g bench
where he had tossed them. He looked
the Virginia gentleman he was by
birth.
The little old gentleman chirped a
greeting and thrust forward his rag
ged charge.
sThis Is Mr.. Laurence" he said,
"la-ate Of England and now come to
try his fortunes in the American
sta-ates. I am no herald to inquire
Of mems pedigrees; it suffices me if
know their virtues, Colonel POsey
and if this young mans face be no
false witness, his virtues better ap-
parel his mind than England has ap-
pareled his body"
Colonel Posey laughed good-hu-
mOredly.
"Still quoting Sir Philip, Mr.. O'Ban-
non? No doubt you're right. What
can we do for you, Mr.. Laurence"
"Mr. O'Bannon tells me that you can
perhaps give me some work to do,
Colonel POsey. Is it true?"
Colonel Posey smiled again at the
young mans eagerness.
whatever Mr.. O'Bannon tells you
is truer than the Constitution. Well
find a place for you somewhere"
about that store of yours, Colonel"
O'Bannon said. "Ye're closing 1t up
while you make your trip to Louisiana,
aren't We? Well, suppose you put this
young man in char-r-ge of it and let
it earn a dollar or two while ye're
gomez He leaned forward and whis-
pered something in the colOnefs ear.
The soldier nodded approvingly and
threw away the secret:
"Mr. O'Bannon promises to be re-
sponsible for you, Mr.. Laurence. Do
you think you can take care or the
business? It asks nothing more than
ordinary shrewdness in trading"
"But," David cried, overwhelmed,
''you know nothing about me, Major
Posey! Why-why-how can you
trust stranger with such respon-
sibility?"
"Oh, as for that" the major an
swered, "you will be watched like a
hawk by Mr.. O'Bannon. For the mat
ter Of that, Mr.. Laurence, I think I'm
fair judge Of men, myself; and I'll
echo Mr.. O'Bannon's opinion of you,
at first glance. No need to blush-we
say what we think, hereabouts."
David could only stammer his graft
tude.
Every well, then, I'll give Mr.. O'Ban.
non the key at once" He drew out an
enormous affair of iron and handed it
smllingly to David's sponsor.
Sand now for a Hoosier dinner"
said O'Bannon, and he produced a
Spanish dollar, which the tavern
keeper took with a nod. He waved
David to the long table. The rude