"Then Heaven help his children's children," observed the traveler. John
showed open disgust, but the General touched him and said, "Go on,
Shotwell."

"Well, seh, we didn't like the missiona'y's proposition. We consid'ed it
fah betteh to transfeh oveh that three thousan' a year to Rosemont,
entire; which we did so. Pub--? No, seh, Rosemont's not public, but it
really rep'esents ow people, which, o' co'se, the otheh don't."

"Public funds to a private concern," quietly commented the
Englishman--"that's a steal." John March's blood began to boil.

"O," cried Shot well--"ow people--who pay the taxes--infinitely rather
Rosemont should have it."

"I see," responded the Briton, in such a tone that John itched to kick
him.

"Well, seh," persisted the narrator, "you should 'a' heard Leggett howl
faw a divvy!" All smiled. "Worst of it was--what? Wha'd you say, Gen'l?"

"He had the constitution of the State to back him."

"He hasn't now! Well, seh, the bill faw this ve'y raailroad was in the
house. Leggett swo' it shouldn't even so much as go to the gove'neh to
sign _aw_ to veto till that fund--seh? annual, yes, seh--was divided at
least evm, betwix Rosemont an' the Suez high school."

"Hear, hear!"

"Well, seh"--the Captain became blithe--"Jeff-Jack sent faw him--you
remembeh that night, Presi_dent_ Gamble--this was the second
bill--ayfteh the first hed been vetoed--an' said, s'e, 'Leggett, if I
give you my own word that you'll get yo' fifteen hund'ed a year as soon
as this new bill passes, will you vote faw it?'--'Yass, seh,' says
Leggett--an' he did!"

Proudfit laughed with manly glee, and offered no other interruption.

"Well, seh, then it come Jeff-Jack's turn to keep his word the best he
could."

"Which he's done," said Gamble.

"Yes, Jeff-Jack got still anotheh bill brought in an' paassed. It give
the three thousan' to Rosemont entieh, an' authorized the three counties
to raise the fifteen hund'ed a year by county tax." The Captain laughed.

"Silly trick," said the Englishman, grimly.

"Why, the dahkeys got they fifteen hund'ed!"

"Don't they claim twenty-two fifty?"

"Well, they jess betteh not!"

"Rascally trick!"

"Sir," said John, "Mr. Ravenel is my personal friend. If you make
another such comment on his actions I shall treat it as if made on
mine."

"Come, Come!" exclaimed Gamble, commandingly; "we can't have----"

"You'll have whatever I give, sir!"

Three or four men half rose, smiling