nel saw signs of activity
about the old brickyard, he proceeded with the next step, which was to
have the ruins of the old factory cleared away.

"Well, colonel," said Major McLean one day when the colonel dropped
into the hotel, where the Major hung out a good part of the time, "I
s'pose you're goin' to hire white folks to do the work over there."

"Why," replied the colonel, "I hadn't thought about the colour of the
workmen. There'll be plenty, I guess, for all who apply, so long as it
lasts."

"You'll have trouble if you hire niggers," said the major. "You'll
find that they won't work when you want 'em to. They're not reliable,
they have no sense of responsibility. As soon as they get a dollar
they'll lay off to spend it, and leave yo' work at the mos' critical
point."

"Well, now, major," replied the colonel, "I haven't noticed any
unnatural activity among the white men of the town. The Negroes have
to live, or seem to think they have, and I'll give 'em a chance to
turn an honest penny. By the way, major, I need a superintendent to
look after the work. It don't require an expert, but merely a good
man--gentleman preferred--whom I can trust to see that my ideas are
carried out. Perhaps you can recommend such a person?"

The major turned the matter over in his mind before answering. He
might, of course, offer his own services. The pay would doubtless be
good. But he had not done any real work for years. His wife owned
their home. His daughter taught in the academy. He was drawn on jury
nearly every term; was tax assessor now and then, and a judge or clerk
of elections upon occasion. Nor did he think that steady employment
would agree with his health, while it would certainly interfere with
his pleasant visits with the drummers at the hotel.

"I'd be glad to take the position myself, colonel," he said, "but I
r'aly won't have the time. The campaign will be hummin' in a month or
so, an' my political duties will occupy all my leisure. But I'll bear
the matter in mind, an' see if I can think of any suitable person."

The colonel thanked him. He had hardly expected the major to offer his
services, but had merely wished, for the fun of the thing, to try the
experiment. What the colonel really needed was a good foreman--he had
used the word "superintendent" merely on the major's account, as less
suggestive of work. He found a poor white man, however, Green by name,
who seemed capable and energetic, and a gang of labo