The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1923-03-15
CHAPTER YIN

'1Ou0Q D0dI 10 set MIN uNci " INT
Iopposite shore. It was so late when
he reached the Bethpage place that he
did not go up to his room. The house
was SO quiet, the hounds themselves
asleep, that he stole into the garden
Ito pass the remainder of the night on
"a couch in the summer house. The air
twas heavy with roses breathing in
Through the lattice, and as he straight
lened out, grateful for repose, this
Thought came to him:
"Pale they call death, but to me 1t
will ever be red. And have looked
Into its red countenance, and was not
afraid. thank God that He gave me
that strength. But what a
melodrama y
At the breakfast table, Tycie, with
mother tenderness. upbraided Drace
lfor sleeping out for fear of arousing
the house. Afterware brace and the
General strolled out under the trees.
by the way" the General said pres
emily. Il have an engagement to de-
liver an address before teachers
meeting In Natchez, and should much
like to have you bear me company.
We can leave this evening on the
Black Hawk and reach there early In
the morning"
sTd like very much to CO." answered
brace. "But can we get back before
ThursdayT
EASILY by Wednesday morning.
Anything important for Thursday"
"Oh. no. An old fellow down at the
ferry wants me to go fishing with him
Thursday, and l gave him my word
that I'd be on hand. Most remarkable
old man, full Of fun; quite charac-
ter"
"You must mean old Spence. But
are you sure it is not that pretty
daughter OF his that attracts you?
You'll have to be a little careful, my
son. We may associate with men out
Of our social running, but not with
women. All, Tycie! Mr.. BRACE
has just consented to give me his CON-
pany to Natchez."
The Black Hawks band played a
welcome, and the captain came down
the plank to conduct the General on
board. From quiet, lazy and almost
deserted landing the place leapef into
the full throb of life. Negroes and
,shiftless whites came from their novels
ito gaze upon the magic splendor of
this journeying palace, and the three
shell man stepped ashore to gather up
dollars.
! Dinner was state occasion, and
after it, the ball. Then their state
rooms-then morning, and Natchez
The address was to be delivered in
the afternoon, and when the time came
the General led him over to the hall to
hear the sneech, imprisoned him with
out bail in a corner, and there he had
to sit. The address was long, academic
and dull, and the sufferer unused:
II don't see why Shottle ever called
you a remarkable character"
Everybody came about the General
to take his hand. Young women told
him that they had never been so
thrilled. BRACE lied to him, too swore
him an orator
Let US walk off alone" said the
General.
Slowly they walked at first, but after
a time the old gentleman struck a
brisker pace, toward the River.
ANow, my boy, as we've got through
with those bcaters of dust out of old
carpets. Wen have some fun. Old
Colonel Pemberton wanted me to go
home with him, and he has delight
full house, gracious wife and hand
some daughter, but had to decline.
I've stood about as much now as
can. Wen go down to old lobe Ma
sons tavern, under the hill. lobe is
a gentle old fellow, never killed but
three men. One Of them shot Tobe's
leg off and now he wears a peg; and /
want to tell you that when he I'M
straps 1t and hops around In a slght,
he's right meddlesome. At trial in
the courthouse here not long ago, the
Judge issued an order that 81. deadly
weapons must be left with the deputy
eheriffs at the door--and sir, they
made old lobe take off his wooden
log.
The tavern was as tough place as
river men could make 1t. Built of logs,
bricks, stone and clapboards, it looked
like an architectural stagger, trying
1 to climb the hill In the main room
was the bar. Herein Tobe gave his
famous possum feasts and dances,
when the spirit Of liquor mounted high
enough to swing Its partner Off the
Well, I'll be knocked In the head
for d steer old lobe cried out, stump
ing toward the General. 81 haven't
reed ypu nee the River tuck fire.
Wen. well Thinkin about you the
az. Glad to shake your
Trace. Set right down"
n - xIod to see you,' said the
( I'd fetch us about two
@Qmn1ergrape wine. Let
A1qut Il. Drace. We have
& <<< that gets ripe along
Don't ~ d word iii