Page:The leopard's spots - a romance of the white man's burden-1865-1900 (IA leopardsspotsrom00dixo).pdf/96

 "I think there is a mistake, General, in these accounts," said the Rev. Ezra Perkins the Agent.

"What?" thundered the General.

"A mistake in your view of the contracts," answered Ezra in his oiliest tone.

The negroes began to grin and nudge one another, amid exclamations of "Dar now!" "Hear dat!"

"What do you mean? The contracts are plain. There can be but one interpretation. I agreed to furnish the men their supplies in advance and wait until the end of the year for adjustment after the crops were gathered. As it is, I will lose over five hundred dollars on the farm." The General paused and looked at the Agent with rising wrath.

"It's useless to talk. I decide that under this contract you are to furnish supplies yourself and pay your people their monthly wages besides. I have figured it out that you owe them a little over fifteen hundred dollars."

"Fifteen hundred dollars! You thief!"

"Softly, softly!—I'll commit you for contempt of court!"

The General turned on his heel without a word, sprang on his horse, and in a few minutes alighted at the hotel. He encountered the assistant agent of the Bureau on the steps.

"Did you wish to see me, General?" he asked.

"No! I'm looking for a man—a Union soldier not a turkey buzzard!" He dashed up to the clerk's desk.

"Is Major Grant in his room?"

"Yes, sir."

"Tell him I want to see him."

"What can I do for you, General Worth?" asked the Major as he hastened to meet him.

"Major Grant, I understand you are a lawyer. You