Morris tribune., 1905-01-28

I
of the club at Williamsburg
'.sPshaw, Katharine! That wretch
would not dare. 1t is a cowardly black
guard Seymour, whom l saw cheating
at cards at the Assembly club at the
capital | had him expelled from the
! society of gentlemen, where, indeed
he had no right of admittance, and
] scarcely know how he got there origi-
,naily. He made some threats against
me, to which l naturally paid no at,
,tention. But what did you think of the
vessel?
81 confess / saw nothing suspicious
about her, sir" replied Seymour. "She
seemed very much like the packets
which ply on the river. l only spoke
idly of the subject"
But, father, the packet went up last
week, the day before you came back,
and is due coming down the river now,
! while this boat Is coming up," said
Katharine
"Oh we'll, i think we are safe
enough now, but to relieve your IN
usual anxiety i will send Blodgett
port. Blodgett do you go down to the
boat landing and keep watch for an
hour or two. Take your musket, man.
There is no knowing what you might
need it for"
The old soldier, who had stationed
| himself behind the ,coloneTs chair, sa-
! luted with military precision and left
the room, saying: every good. sir. l
shall let nothing escape my notice,
sir"
"Now, Katharine hope you are sat
isfied''
"Yes, father; but if it is the raiders
Blodgett won't be able to stop them"
1.-THE raidersr' laughed the colonel,
and pinching his daughters ear he
said: Il suspect the only raiders we
shall see here will be those who have
designs upon your heart, nay bonny
Kate. Eth, SEYMOUR
'They would never dare to wear a
British uniform in that case, father"
she retorted proudly.
''Well, Seymour, / hear through an
express from congress today that Cap
tain Jones has been ordered to COM
mand the Ranger and that the new
dag-we will drink to it if you please;
yes. you, too, Katharine; God bless ev-
cry star and stripe in twill soon be
seen on the ocean"
''It will be a rare sight there, sir"
said Seymour "but it will not be long
before the exploits of the Ranger will
make it known on the high seas if ru-
NOR does not belle her captain"
81 trust so. But do you know this
Captain JonesY
"Not at all, sir, save by reputation.
a successful officer"
"And what is that?"
"He will fight anything at any time
or at any place, no matter what the
odds"
Colonel Wilton smiled. "Ah, well, if
little navy would never have a
chance"
"No, father. nor the army either. If
we waited for equality before fighting
am afraid we should wait forever"
''True, Katharine. By the way, have
you seen Talbot today?"
"No, father"
~ wish that we might enlist his
services in the cause. | don't think
there is much doubt about Talbot him
self, is there?"
"No. 1t is his mother, you know.
licf %o &h1 Aa
her ancestors so is She"
The colonel nodded gently. He had a
soft spot In his heart for the subject !
of their discussion with her teaching /
and training I can we'll understand it,
Katharine Proud, Of high birth, de-
the widow Of one Of them, she cannot !
bear the thought Of rebellion against !
the king. I don't think she cares much
for the people or their liberties either"
"Yes, father. With her the creed is,
the king can dc no wrong"
''Ah, we'll" said the colonel refec- !
lively, 81 thought so, too, once, and
many is the blow l have struck for |
this same king. But liberty is above !
royalty, independence not dweller in
the court, so in my old age find my !
self on different side" He slipped his
wine thoughtfully moment and con-
hnued:
Madam Talbot has certainly striven
to restrain the boy. and successfully so
far He is a splendid fellow. | wish !
we had him. He would be Of great |
service to the cause. with his name and
influence and the money he would
bring. and then the quality of the |
young man himself would be Of value |
to us. You have met him. Seymour, |
believer
Eyes. sir, several times, and agree
with you entirely. 1t is his mother
who keeps him back. l have had one
or two conversations with her. She is
q Tory through and through"
''Not a doubt Of it, not doubt of
it." said the colonel. Katharine. can't
you do something with him."
boz