The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-19


 of our own Look. man. He swept about him an arm which included his own wide acres and ours, lying shim mering clear to tue tuln line of the old Blue Ridge. We must fight for these bomesr'
 You forget, colonel" said my father in his 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 faintly lighted with a habitual cynicism. Now he broke in. He will never be elected he said emphatically. Tt would ruin the entire industry Of the south. The south must secede. gentlemen, if you will allow me as stranger to venture an opinion"
 My mother turned her gaze to him. but 1t was Sheraton who spoke.
 Tt goes back to the old articles of federation. our first compact" he said. Prom 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"
 May. Brother Sheraton" broke in my mother eagerly. "it was the union Of brothership that was written first in the sky.'
 He turned to her with the bow of a gentleman. ''It is you ladies who knit the world together with kindness he said. Alas, that men must rend 1t with fighting"
 "Alasr' whispered she.
 Sheraton's face was sad as he went on with the old justification. ''.Ieffer- son would turn over in his grave if he saw Virginia divided as 1t 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 fighting against the inevitable
 "The war has already begun on the border" said my father. My friend and partner. Colonel Meriwether of AlbemarIe. 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. CowIes," said Colonel Sher- aton. pacing short way apart. his hands behind his back. we can wait until after this election"
 But if the government takes ac- tionT suggested Orme.
 Sheraton whirIed quickly. 'Then war. war;" he cried. war till each Virginian is dead on his doorstep and each woman starved at her dresidel John Cowles. you and 1 will fight I know that you will fight"
 Yes. said my father. '1 will fight"
 "And with us?'
 ''No." said my father. signing: mo. my friend. against you" 1 saw my mother look al him and sink back in her chair saw Orme also gaze at him sharply with peculiar look.
 But sO. al 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. l had small chance for fare well to Miss Grace. and. If shall ad- init the truth. this pleased me quite as well as not.
 We rode in silence for a time. my fa- ther musing. my mother silent also. 1t was Orme who was the first heard to speak.
 By the way. Mir. CowIes." he said. "you spoke of Colonel Meriwether of Albemarle county. Is he away in fhe west? 1t chances that l have letters to him. and 1 was purpOsing going into that country before long,"
 Indeed. sir?'' replied my father. "I am delighted to know you are to meet my friend. As it chances. he is my associate in a considerable business enterprises splendid man. a splendid man. Meriwether. will. if you do not mind. add my letter to others you may have. and l 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 oth- CT men as worthy of this trust and ever ready to help a stranger as he might. For myself, l confess l 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 Albemarie and call upon some men whom be 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 if yo6 will go now to that white domPd building planned by Thomas Jefferson at Char lottesville and read the names on the hrazen tablets by the doovs. names of boys who left school there to enter a harder school. then you will see the re- suits of the visit there of Gordon Orme.
 My little personal affairs were at