Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-05-24
ne ENJOYS. mind me when 4,

fine ENJOYS mind me when tilt
Frenchman came to the congress last
November. You heard of that, may
hap. There was the same excitement
committee appointed, too, remem
Der. John Jay was upon it. They me-
the parsonage in room in Carpenters
hall, and what think you they found
Why, little old frog eater with club
foot, who when they asked him for his
authority drew his hand across his
throat, and says he, Gentlemen, shall
take care of my headp That was al
they could get out Of him. Some imbe
Gle belize. And even then there were
those who saw great signs in 1t. A pest
on all such, say Ip
The Quaker shook his head doubtful
ly. "Yet there is much hoped for from
this present message" he said. 81
heard it on good authority some months
ago that a French marquis was to come
hither. Twas said Benjamin Franklin
had written Of the matter from Lon.
don. Mayhap this is the same"
"Bosh!" shifted Galloway. "'Tis alb.
surd, 1 say, the faith that is put in
such vain and empty hope! I 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, it is in the minds Of some
members to retard action upon 1t, hop.
ing such message from France may
bolster faint hearts,"
"Thou dost not think they will sign
then?"
"God Forbid" rejoined Galloway fer
vently. II cannot believe we are sc
near madness as that. And yet wouid
that naught had been heard Of mes
sage from France. Methinks tomorrow
will be warm. Good night to you, Nor
decai."
AS the two friends talked the chimes
had clangored from Christ church, and
Just as the tones sounded stout
trunched old man with a shrewd, sim
pie face under broad hat lifted thu
latch of a nearby gate which barred
an Oblong green yard from the street.
Therein under mulberry tree where
yellow cabbage butterflies went kiss
ing wings a chubby woman was sit
ting by a table whereon stood some
books and glass bottle containing {
two headed snake in spirits. Two
tousled children rolled and romped I'm
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
ferson has sent word that he will b,
here this evening do hope" she add
ed good naturally, ''that you won
sit up all night again.over that tiresom,
paper he is writing. Laws! One woult
think it had been real speech"
She ran to fetch a dish of tea, ant
her father sat down in his chair anl
took off his hat. His head was bald
with fringe of white hair. He wa!
hopping his forehead with larg,
kerchief when she returned with tn,
tea.
"Bless mew she said as the gat,
clicked. "Here is some one to see 70,
already. A young man and handsome,
she whispered, as he came nearer. "bu
how pale" 1t was Armand.
as this DIR. franklin" he inquired.
att is"
"sir." said Armand, "a packet we.
given secretly into your hands to hol,
for me some time since, sealed with
red seal bearing four lances."
DR.. Franklin drew his brows togethe
With a glance Of surprise and shook hi
bead.
Surely you have received it?"
There was curious rigor of anxiet,
In the tone that caused DR.. FRANKLIN
to glance sharply at his questioner
The scrutiny satisfied him, for the lool
of suspicion that had been stiffenet
by the strenuous times faded into hi
habitual benevolence.
Il recall none SUCH" he answered
gravely. what name did it bear?"
ut bore no name" The tone SHOOT
now with d confusion Of apprehension.
Il fear that is all the more reason
that l could not have forgot it. Thes,
are troublous days, sir, and faith no
always to be relied upon. To whom
did you intrust this docunient?'
Something like fear had. come int
the others eyes, and DR.. Franklin fol
the first time noted with concern his
agitation and pallor.
ITO young lady of Virginia.
Il am sorry, sir, deeply sorry" said
the old man, -but no such packet has
been put into my hands at any time"
Poor young man" sighed the moth
erly woman a few minutes later as she
set the table for supper. "What think
you could have been in it, father? He
looked as If it had meant life or death
to him"
Armand walked slowly through sew.
eral side streets to the Red Lion tav.
ern, on Sassafras street, one of the less
pretentious inns. Here in dim parlor
on the ground floor waited the occu-
pant Of the fine coach which had reused
@5&EMaes