larendon, an agreeable
residence, and an attractive opening for his trained business
energies. That something of the kind was not unlikely, might be
gathered from the fact that Colonel French had already repurchased,
from William Nichols, a worthy negro barber, the old French mansion,
and had taken into his service a former servant of the family, thus
foreshadowing a renewal of local ties and a prolonged residence.

The conduct of the colonel in the matter of his old servant was warmly
commended. The romantic circumstances of their meeting in the
cemetery, and the incident in the justice's court, which were matters
of public knowledge and interest, showed that in Colonel French,
should he decide to resume his residence in Clarendon, his fellow
citizens would find an agreeable neighbour, whose sympathies would be
with the South in those difficult matters upon which North and South
had so often been at variance, but upon which they were now rapidly
becoming one in sentiment.

The colonel, whose active mind could not long remain unoccupied, was
busily engaged during the next week, partly in making plans for the
renovation of the old homestead, partly in correspondence with Kirby
concerning the winding up of the loose ends of their former business.
Thus compelled to leave Phil to the care of some one else, he had an
excellent opportunity to utilise Peter's services. When the old man,
proud of his new clothes, and relieved of any responsibility for his
own future, first appeared at the hotel, the colonel was ready with a
commission.

"Now, Peter," he said, "I'm going to prove my confidence in you, and
test your devotion to the family, by giving you charge of Phil. You
may come and get him in the morning after breakfast--you can get your
meals in the hotel kitchen--and take him to walk in the streets or the
cemetery; but you must be very careful, for he is all I have in the
world. In other words, Peter, you are to take as good care of Phil as
you did of me when I was a little boy."

"I'll look aftuh 'im, Mars Henry, lak he wuz a lump er pyo' gol'. Me
an' him will git along fine, won't we, little Mars Phil?"

"Yes, indeed," replied the child. "I like you, Uncle Peter, and I'll
be glad to go with you."

Phil and the old man proved excellent friends, and the colonel,
satisfied that the boy would be well cared for, gave his attention to
the business of the hour. As soon as Nichols moved out of the old
house, there was a s