Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-04-11

LlnColn mas not Yet Neen elected, anu
that even II elected he may prove a
greater figure than we think. He has
not yet had 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 emphatically. 1T would ruin the
entire industry OF the south. The
south must secede. gentlemen, II you
will allow me as q stranger TO venture
an opinion"
My mother turned her gaze TO him.
but ii was sheraton who spoke.
ut goes back to the old articles OF
federation, our trSt 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"
lie turned to her with the bow Of
gentleman. 1t is you ladies who knit
the world together with Kindness he
said. Alas. that men must rend il
with lighting"
Alas" whispered she.
SheratouS face was sad as he went
on with the old justification. "Jetfrr
son would turn over in his grave If he
saw Virginia divided us il is. Why,
CowleS. we've all the world we need
here. We can live alone here. each on
his own acres, a 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 a great
man, but both he and Webster were
lighting 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 III
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 short way apart his
hands behind his back. we 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 tireside!
John Cowles, you and | will fight. l
know that you will fight"
Yes" said my father, II will fight"
"And with us?"
no said my father. signing; no.
my friend. against you" saw my
mother look at him and sink back in
her chair saw Orme also gaze at
him sharply with 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 Cowles' 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 n time. my ia
Their musing. my mother silent also. 1t
was Orme who was the first l heard
to speak.
by the way. Mr.. Cowles." he said.
you spoke OF Colonel Meriwether Of
west? 1t chances that | have letters
to him. and | was purposing going into
that country before long"
Indeed, sir?" replied my father. ~
am delighted to know you are to meet
my friend. AS 1t chances, he is my
associate in considerable business
ENTERPRISE splendid man. a splendid
man. Meriwether will, II 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
unsuspicious. ever ready to accept 9th
er men as worthy of this trust and
ever ready to help stranger as be
might For myself, | confess | was
more suspicious, Something about
Orme set me on edge. knew not
what. heard them speaking further
about Meriwether's being somewhere
in the west and heard Orme also say
carelessly that he must in any case
run over to Albemarle and call upon
some men whom he was to meet at the
University of Virginia. We did not
ask his errand. and none Of us suspect
ed the purpose OF his systematic visit
ing among the more influential centers
Of that country. But II you will 60
now to that white domed building
planned by Thomas Jefferson at Char
lottesvile and read the names on the
brazen tablets by the doors names OF