Presently the instrument called Trafton, and Harris turned to receive the following message:
New Orleans, Aug. ——
Arch Brookhouse—Hurry up the others or we are likely to have a balk.
F. B.
Hastily scratching off these words Harris enclosed, sealed, and addressed the message, and tossed it on the table.
The address was directly under my eye; and I said, glancing carelessly at it:
"Arch,—is not that a rather juvenile name for such a long, lean, solemn-visaged man as 'Squire Brookhouse?"
Harris laughed.
"That is for the son," he replied; "he is named for his father, and to distinguish between them, the elder always signs himself Archibald, the younger Arch."
"I see. Is Archibald Junior the eldest son?"