ted an immediate sensation. "Redny" Blount, who drives the
"depot wagon," was wrestling with a sample trunk belonging to the
traveling representative of Messrs. Braid & Gimp, of Boston, when he
heard a voice--and such a voice--saying:

"Pardon me, my dear sir, but may I trouble you for one moment?"

Now "Redny" was not used to being addressed as "my dear sir." He turned
wonderingly, and saw the Major, in all his glory, standing beside him.
"Redny's" gaze took in the tall, slim figure in the frock coat tightly
buttoned; took in the white hair, worn just long enough to touch
the collar of the frock coat; the long, drooping white mustache and
imperial; the old-fashioned stock and open collar; the black and white
checked trousers; the gaiters; and, last of all, the flat brimmed,
carefully brushed, old-fashioned silk hat. Mr. Blount gasped.

"Huh?" he said.

"Pardon me, my dear sir," repeated the Major, blandly, smoothly, and
with an air of--well, not condescension, but gracious familiarity. "Will
you be so extremely kind as to inform me concerning the most direct
route to the hotel or boarding house?"

The word "hotel" was the only part of this speech that struck home to
"Redny's" awed mind.

"Hotel?" he repeated, slowly. "Why, yes, sir. I'm goin' right that way.
If you'll git right into my barge I'll fetch you there in ten minutes."

There was enough in this reply, and the manner in which it was
delivered, to have furnished the station idlers, in the ordinary course
of events, with matter for gossip and discussion for a week. Mr. Blount
had not addressed a person as "sir" since he went to school. But no
one thought of this; all were too much overcome by the splendor of the
Major's presence.

"Thank you," replied the Major. "Thank you. I am obliged to you, sir.
Augustus, you may place the baggage in this gentleman's conveyance."

Augustus was an elderly negro, very black as to face and a trifle shabby
as to clothes, but with a shadow of his master's gentility, like a
reflected luster, pervading his person. He bowed low, departed, and
returned dragging a large, old style trunk, and carrying a plump valise.

"Augustus," said the Major, "you may sit upon the seat with the driver.
That is," he added, courteously, "if Mr.--Mr.--"

"Blount," prompted the gratified "Redny."

"If Mr. Blount will be good enough to permit you to do so."

"Why, sartin. Jump right up. Giddap, you!"

There was but one passenger, besides