"Any money in Cartersville?"

"No, suh, not much; but we can _subscribe_, can't we? The name
and influence of our leadin' citizens would give tone and dignity to
any subscription list. Think of this, suh!" and the colonel traced
imaginary inscriptions on the back of Fitz's prospectus with his
forefinger, voicing them as he went on:--

The Hon. JOHN PAGE LOWNES, Member of the State Legislature..
1,000 shares
The Hon. I.B. KERFOOT,
Jedge of the District Court of
Fairfax County....... 1,000 shares
Major THOMAS C. YANCEY,
Late of the Confederate Army... 500 shares

"These gentlemen are my friends, suh, and would do anythin' to oblige
me."

Fitz sharpened a lead pencil and without a word inserted the desired
amendment.

The colonel studied the document for another brief moment and struck
another snag.

"And, Fitz, what do you mean, by 'full protection guaranteed'?"

"To the bondholder, of course,--the man who pays the money."

"What kind of protection?"