The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-12-28

| oCTIptuISS! cOT tue WeuDOIlS VI Nul
warfare are not carnal, but mighty
through God to the pulling down of
strongholds.'
Gentlemen of birth and wealth, for
sooth," continued Galloway angrily,
"and yet prating like the veriest clouts
of independence and brotherhood!
Whose was the bill to separate from
Great Britain? Richard Henry Lees.
And who has written the Declaration
that is to be thrust beneath the dele
| gates noses tomorrow? Thomas Jeffer.
son. These Nhginians. Would we had
never heard of Virginia before we came
| to this.
Look you"- He broke off and
pointed with his stick whore coach
bowled along High street. 1t was rich
ly furnished and bore arms on its pan
els On the cushions cXQuisitely dress
ed in q white uniform, sat a blocly,
| military looking man with bushy wig
and foreign mustachios. He wore n
| cooked hat.
"'Tis M Pliarnc," said the Quaker
"Thcsc French parasites with powder
to pcddlc, Fricnd Joseph, would joy to
see the colonies plunged into bloody
strife. They would batten on our cX-
| trcmity, FOR whcrcsocvcr the carcass is,
there the eagles be gathered together
French Otficers!' calculated Gallo
way. "Ayc, or advcnturcrs! AS like
to be one as another. Mayhap NJ. PHI
arnc goes to sec the precious envoy
whose newcoming the town gapes
about"
HE is to be rcceivcd"
Tomorrow afternoon. 'Tis an open
secret. Notice was sent the house this
morning.
"'Twas averred in the street but now
that he is come from Louis XVI"
LET them jabbcrw grumblcd Gallo
way. Little store is to be set by these
fine enyoys. L mind me when the
Frenchman came to the congress last
November. You heard of that, may
hap. There was the same eXcitcmcnt;
committee appointed too, / rcmcm-
bcr. John Jay was upon it. They met
the parsonage in Il room in Carpenters
hall, and what think you they found?
Why, little old frog cater with club
foot, who when they asked him for his
authority drew his hand across his
throat and says lie, Gentlemen, L shall
take care of my head" That was all
they could get out of him. Some imbe-
cllc bclike. And even then there were
those who saw great signs in it. a pest
on all such, say II"
The Quaker shook his head doubtful
ly. "Yct there is much hoped for from
this present message" lie said. 81
heard it OH good authority some months
| ago that Il French marquis was to come
hiihcr. Twas said Benjamin Franklin
had written of the matter from Lon
don. Mayhap this is the same"
"Bosh!' shifted Galloway. "Tis alb
| surd, | say, the faith that is put in
such vain and empty hope! do know
| that half the delegates have some such
! folly in their heads. The Declaration is
TO be offered for signing tomorrow, and,
| look YOU, 1t is in the minds of some
members 10 rctard action upon it, hop
ing such Il message from France may
| bolster faint hearts"
"Thou dost not think they will sign,
| then?"
"God forbidm rcjoincd Galloway fer
vcntly. 81 cannot believe we arc so
near madness as that. And yet would
that naught had been heard OF Il mes
sage from France. Mcthinks tomorrow
will be warm. Good night to you Nor
deca."
AS the two friends talked the chimes
had clangored from Christ church, and
| just rs the tones sounded stout
trunchcd old man with shrcwd, sim.
pie face under Il broad hat lifted the
| latch of n nearby gate which barred
an oblOng green yard from the street
Therein under mulberry tree where
yellow cabbage butterflies went kiss.
ing wings q chubby woman was sit.
ting by Il table whcrcon stood some
books ana glass bottle containing Il
two headed snake in spirits Two
touslcd children rolled and rompcd un-
needed under foot. The film of twi-
light was falling from cooling sky
You are late, father" the woman
said as the old man greeted her. Sup
per is almost ready. Young Mr. JEFF
fcrson has sent word that he will be
here this evening. do hope" she add
ed good nnturcdly, chat YOU won't
sit up all night again over that tircsomc
paper lie is writing. Laws. One would
think it had been Il real speech"
She ran to fetch dish of tea, and
her father sat down in his chair and
took Off his hat. His head was bald,
with fringe of white hair He WAS
mopping his forehead with large
kcrchicf when she returned with the
tea.
"Bless mc!' she said as the gate
clicked. "IIcrc is some one to sec YOU
already a young man and handsome" !"
she whispered, as he came nearer. "but
how pale" 1t was Armand.
rs this DR.. Franklin!" he inquired.
at is"
"Sir," said Armand, "a packet was
given secretly into your hands to hold
for me some time since, sealed with Il
rcd seal bearing four lanccs."
Or. Franklin drew his brows together
with q glance of surprise and shook hia
head
"Sul|ly you have received it:"
There was Il curious rigor of anxiety
in Tie tone that caused Dr. Franklin
to glance sharply at his qucstioncr.
The scrutiny satisfied him, for the look
of suspicion that had been stiffcncd
by the strenuous times faded into his
habtual bcncvolcnce.
II recall none such" he answered
gravcly. "What name did 1t bearf
ut bore no name" The tone shook