Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-04-11

1dCe d1SV AAGu upOu tuetlis HUI SuCu
was his own emotion that he had tip
ped his silver tray and dropped one OF
the Sheraton cut glass julep glasses tc
the sod.
s'l tell you. Cowles., said Colonel
Sheraton. grinding his stick into the
turf. ''you do not talk like a virginian.
If the north keeps on this course then
we southerners must start country
Of our own. Look, man He swept
about him an arm which included his
own wide acres and ours. lying SHIN
merina clear to the thin line OF the
old BIue Ridge. I'VE must fight for
these homesr'
''Ytju forget, colonel" said my father
in IDS low, deep voice, "that this man
Lincoln has not yet been elected. and
that even If elected he may prove a
greater figure than we think. he has
not yet had a chance to learn the
SOUTH
Orme had been standing silent, his
face Indifferent or family lighted with
a habitual cynicism. Now he broke
In. He will never be elected" he
said emphaticaIly. 1T would ruin the
entire industry Of the south. The
south must secede, gentlemen. If you
viii allow me as stranger to venture
an opinion"
My mother turned her gaze TO him.
but 1t was Sheraton who spoke.
'sIt goes back to the old articles Of
federation. our first compact" he said.
"From the very first the makers of
this country saw that by reason of
diverse industries the south was sep
arated from the north. This secession
has been written in the sky from the
beginning of the world"
Nay. Brother Sheraton" broke in
my mother eagerly. lit was the union
of brothership that was written first
in the sky"
He turned to her with the bow of q
gentleman. ut is you ladies who knit
the world together with kindness" he
said ALAS. that men must rend il
with lighting"
"Alasr' whispered she.
Sheraton's face was sad as he went
on with the old justification. "Jeffer-'
son would turn over in his grave If he
saw Virginia divided as it is. Why,
Cowles, we've all the world we need
here. We can live alone here, each on
his own acres, gentleman, and all he
needs of government is protection and
fair laws. Calhoun was right. Better
give us two peaceful countries. each
living happily and content, than one
at war with itself Clay was great
man. but both he and Webster were
fighting against the inevitable"
''The war has already begun on the
border" said my father. my friend
and partner. Colonel Meriwether of
Albemarle. who is with the army in
the west. says that white men are kill
ing white men all across the lands
west of the Missouri"
'At least. Cowles." said Colonel Sher
atom. pacing a short way apart, bis
hands behind his back. I'VE can wait
until after this election.
"But If the government takes ac-
tionY suggested Orme.
Sheraton whirled quickly "Then
war. war" he cried. "war till each
Virginian is dead on his doorstep and
each woman starved at her fireside.
John Cowles. you and l will fight. i
know that you will fight"
"Yes." said my father. 81 will fight"
"And with us?"
NO. said my father, signing: mo.
my friend. against you" l saw my
mother look at him and sink back in
her chair. | saw Orme also gaze at
him sharply with a peculiar look.
But so. at least. this argument ended
for the time. The two men. old neigh
bors. took each other solemnly by the
hand, and presently. after talk of more
pleasant sort on lesser matters. the
servants brought our carriage. and we
started back for CowIes' Farms.
There had been no opportunity for
me to mention to Colonel and Mrs.
Sheraton something that was upon my
mind | had small chance for fare.
well to Miss Grace, and. If shall ad-
NIT the truth. this pleased me quite
as well as not.
We rode in silence for time. my IA
ther musing. my mother silent also. 1t
was Orme who was the first heard
to speak.
by the way. Mr.. Cowles." he said.
you spoke of Colonel Meriwether of
Albemarle county. Is he away in the
west? 1t chances that have letters
to him. and was purposing going into
that country before long"
Indeed. sir? replied my father II
am delighted to know you are to meet
my friend. As it chances, he is my
associate in considerable business
enterprise-a splendid man. splendid
man. Meriwether. / will, If you do
not mind. add my letter to others you
may have. and trust you will carry
him our best wishes from this side of
the mountains"
That was like my father-innocent