The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-04-01
Fourteen
Battles
By CECILLE LANGDON


the war the hero Of IA battles, he was
awarded 4 reception that would have
turned the head of a more concerted
and ambitious young fellow. G'arIbei
Percy. who had been his sweetheart
before he enlisted treated him with
doliZing admiration, his former
friends and acquaintances bestowed
full need Of appreciation as 10 MS
patriotism and valor, and old Uncle
Wallace Blair. after whom he was
named. and who had himself been
fighter in the Civil war, fairly d"ted
unon this marvel warrior Of later
generation.
Rodney took it all very modeStly.
"You've GOT lot Of relatives, boy SAID
Uncle Wallace. affectionately, and the
lest one of them is proud OF you.
lis not Il coincidence. but a question
of preference and selection. that IA
Of US got together 10 fete and
boom and boost YOU"
But | must get at something TO
make living" submitted Rodney Sc
riOuSly.
THAT will come along in due time,
my boy" declared Uncle Wallace.
with a confidence inspiring wave OF
his hand.
"You see." added Rodney, with color
slightly heightened, there is certain
young lady l am interested In
Know all about her" he was inter
rupted. That's all right, but seeing
rs she is going to have you all her life,
surely she can spare you 70 60 the
rounds Of your blood relations"
Rodney did not tell proud and
pretty Claribel this when he saw her
that evening. What he did impart to
her was that Uncle Wallace wished
him 90 down to Warrenton to his
home and become his guest for a few
days. He promised to write Clarioei
and keep her advised of his move
ments, but when at the end OF two
weeks only letters and no Rodney put
in an appearance Claribel began to
grow melancholy and disappointed.
Rodney wrote her lovingly, cheer
ingly. He sent her newspapers con-
tanning accounts Of his reception In
the various communities which Uncle
Wallace had insisted he should visit.
Thus, a group of cousins at Fairdale
had met him at the depot with band
and a string Of automobiles. At
Winsted half the county turned out
for festival celebration day. Els
dene and its college where Rodney had
graduated massed up an enthusiastic
reception with fireworks and grand
supper. Father Percy was made aware
Of the triumphant march of the young
soldier and spoke about 1t one day at
the dinner table.
young Blair Is good deal Of a
disappointment to me-" said Mr.. Percy
r. his wife. 81 would suppose that an
..!srgetic fellow with his opportunities
would not idle his time away swinging
around the circle to show off,"
"oh, papa, I am sure that is not
Rodney's idea" intervened Claribsl
unanimously. you see, he has 4
heap Of relatives, and they are %
proud Of him"
"Humph!" muttered her father.
my old partners son, Egbert Brooks,
is coming to the city next week, and
/ hope you will show him some at.
tention."
81 detest him." reflected Claribel. "A
brainless fop. And papa favors him
because he has money. Oh, why does
Rodney waste his time the way he
is doing? And never comes back at
odd times to see me! I declare, 1t Is
more than provoking" and Claribel
nearly merged into tears.
Papa would have his way, however,
and a few days later directed Clarfbel
and her mother to come down to the
office in the automobile and take young
Brooks for drive on the boulevards.
Claribel. seated in the outer office after
they had reached the wholesale house
which Mr.. Percy owned, gave quite a
start as she caught the echo of famil-
lar voices from the adjoining room.
"Ah, that was the way of it?" her
father was saying. in pleasantly con-
descending tone of voice.
"That was the way. Mr.. Percy" re-
piled the beloved accents OF the di'a-
tory lover. Uncle Wallace would have
It that ! should spend week with each
Of my Il close relativeS-a week. you
know, for each battle I was in. Then
the surprise of my life-I shall
place the $4,000 order for stock for
nv first business venture with you. for
cash. and arrange, II you will. for what
future credit I will be entitled to as
a going concern"
1--WE shall be glad and proud to have
YOU on our books" declared the wise
old business expert. twenty-five thou
sand dollars ought to start you out In
a good way
UI rofuSad IN accent tho money as