The Grit-advocate., 1903-07-17

but. by st. George, d'll draw it in this
quarrel,'
The American quarrel. Richard?"
No other could so move me. Every
good man and true wishes them well
Are you willing?"
only to be with you. u.only to please
you. Richard. | have no other happi
ness"
Then it is settled. The earl buys
Hyde as it stands: We have nothing
except our personal effects to pack.
Write tonight to your father. Tell
him that we are coming in two weeks
to cast our lot with America"
When Joris Van Heemskirk received
this letter he was very much excited
by its contents.
He was sitting in the calm evening.
with unloosened buckles, in a cloud
OF fragrant tobacco, talking OF these
things. Then he nut on his hat and
walked down his garden He was
standing on the river bank and the
meadows over 1t were green and fair
to see, and the fresh wind blew into
his soul thought of its own un-
trammeled liberty He looked up and
down the river, and lifted his face to
the clear sky, and said aloud. "Beauti-
tul land! To be thy children we
should not deserve if one inch Of thy
soil we yielded to I tyrant. Truly
vaderland to me and to mine thou
hast been Truly do l love thee"
Then, with his mind made up, he
went into the house.
In few minutes Elder Semple came
in. He looked exceedingly worried,
and although Joris and he avoided
politics by kind of tacit agreement,
he could not keep to kirk and com
mercial matters, but constantly re-
turned to one subject-a vessel lying
at Murray's wharf. which had sold
her cargo of molasses and rum to tie
Committee OF Safety
Joris let the elder drift from one
grievance to another, and he was just
in the middle Of a sentence contain
ing the opinion of Sears and W.llet,
when BraM'n entrance arrested 1t. He
walked straight to the side of Joris:
Father, we have closed his majes-
tvs custom house forever"
we! Who, then, Bram?"
The Committee of Safety and the
Sons Of Liberty"
Semple rose to his feet, trembling
with passion. Let me tell you, then.
Bran. you are parcel O. rogues and
rebels; and, If were his majesty, I'd
gibbet the last ane O. you"
Patience, elder. Sit down, III
speak,
mo, councillor, I'll no sit down un.
til ken what kind O. men I'm sitting
wi. Dot wi your maist secret thoughts.
Wha are you for?"
For the people and for freedom, am
l." said Joris, calmly rising to his
feet. TOO long have we borne injus-
tice. Bran, my son, l am your CONF
rade in this quarrel" He spoke with
fervent, but not rapid speech. and with
a firm, round voice, full Of magica.
sympathies.
I'll hear nae mair O such folly.
Gle me my bonnet and plaid, madam,
and I'll be going. I hope the morn
will bring you a measure O. common
sense" He was at the door as he
spoke; but, ere he passed it. he lifted
his bonnet above his head and said,
God save the king! God save his
gracious majesty. George OF Eng
land!"
Joris turned to his son. To shut up
the kings customs was an overt act of
treason. Bran. then, had fully com
mitted himself, and. following out his
own thoughts, he asked abruptly,
What will come of it, Bram?"
War will come. and liberty-a
great commonwealth, great coun-
try
In the meantime Semple, fuming
and calculating. was making his way
slowly home. However, before he had
gone very far, he was overtaken by
his son Neil, now very staid and
stately gentleman, holding under the
government high legal position in
the investigation of the disputed New
Hampshire grants.
He listened respectfully to his faith.
er's animadversions on the folly of
the Van Heemsleirks; but he was
thinking mainly of the first news told
hlm-the early return of Katherine
He was conscious that he still loved
Katherine. and that he still hated
Hyde. So Nell was somber and silent
His father was uncertain as to his
views. and he did not want to force or
hurry decision.
Next morning, when the elder
reached the store, the clerks and por-
ters were all standing together talk
ing. He knew quite well what topic
they were discussing with such eager
movements and excited speech. But
they dispersed to their work at the
sight of his sour, stern face. and he
did not intend to open fresh dispute
by any question.
Apprentices and clerks then showed
a great deal of Difference to their mas
terS and Elder SemDle demanded the