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.
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