of
considerable revenue to the State; they make up, in fact, for most of
the outlay for Negro education--which I approve of, though I'm frank
to say that so far I don't see much good that's come from it. This
convict labour is humanely treated; Mr. Fetters has the contract for
several counties, and anybody who knows Mr. Fetters knows that there's
no kinder-hearted man in the South."

The colonel disclaimed any intention of criticising. He had come back
to his old home for a brief visit, to rest and to observe. He was
willing to learn and anxious to please. The editor took copious notes
of the interview, and upon his departure shook hands with the colonel
cordially.

The colonel had tactfully let his visitors talk, while he listened, or
dropped a word here and there to draw them out. One fact was driven
home to him by every one to whom he had spoken. Fetters dominated the
county and the town, and apparently the State. His name was on every
lip. His influence was indispensable to every political aspirant. His
acquaintance was something to boast of, and his good will held a
promise of success. And the colonel had once kicked the Honourable Mr.
Fetters, then plain Bill, in presence of an admiring audience, all the
way down Main Street from the academy to the bank! Bill had been, to
all intents and purposes, a poor white boy; who could not have named
with certainty his own grandfather. The Honourable William was
undoubtedly a man of great ability. Had the colonel remained in his
native State, would he have been able, he wondered, to impress himself
so deeply upon the community? Would blood have been of any advantage,
under the changed conditions, or would it have been a drawback to one
who sought political advancement?

When the colonel was left alone, he went to look for Phil, who was
playing with the children of the landlord, in the hotel parlour.
Commending him to the care of the Negro maid in charge of them, he
left the hotel and called on several gentlemen whose cards he had
found in his box at the clerk's desk. Their stores and offices were
within a short radius of the hotel. They were all glad to see him, and
if there was any initial stiffness or shyness in the attitude of any
one, it soon became the warmest cordiality under the influence of the
colonel's simple and unostentatious bearing. If he compared the cut of
their clothes or their beards to his own, to their disadvantage, or if
he found their views narrow