The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-11-02

given of yours being in sympathy with It,
[ must needs hope that there are other
ties than mere interests to prevent us
from ever suffering a transient resent
ment on either side or without cause 10
bring on both all the consequences of n
divorce. consequences too, which would be
a sad inheritance, ineed. for our numer-
Gus and beloved offspring.
AS to the charge that her people
have had the most Presidents, Mary
goes on to defend the south as fol-
lows:
"As to the other point. relative TO
the head steward, I must own my
worthy husband, that | am altogether
at loss for any cause OF dissatls1ac-
ton on your part or blame on NINE
It is true. as you say, that they nave
been oftener taken from among niy
tenants than yours, but under other
eircumsta noes the reverse might az
well have happened II the stewards
! appointed had made their way to the
important trust by corrupt and falla-
cious means If they had been preferred
merely because they dwelt on my es-
tate. or had succeeded by interposition
of my own contrary to your inclination
or, finally, If they had administered
the trust unfaithfully, sacrificing your
interest for my own or the interests or
both to selfish or unworthy purposes
LIN either OF these cases you would
have ground for your complaint. But
] know, John. that you are too just
and too candid not to admit that no
such ground exists"
The head stewards in question
could not have been appointed with
out your own participation as we'll as
my own. They were recommended to
our Joint choice by the reputed fair
ness OF heir characters. by their tried
fidelity and competency In previous
trusts and by their exemption from all
charges of impure and grasping de-
signs, and so far were they from be-
ing partial to my interests at the ex-
pense of yours that they were rather
considered as leaning to manage
ment more favorable to yours than to
mine. l need not say that | ailude to
the bounties direct and indirect to your
teams and boats. to the hands em-
ployed in your fisheries and manufac-
lures. which, without such encourage :
ment, would not be able to meet the
threatened rivalry OF interfering neigh
bors. ! say only that these ideas were
in the heads of some of my tenants
As for myself / should not have
mentioned them but as a defense
against what I must regard as so I'M
founded that II ought not to be per-
mitted to make a lasting impression. .
but laying aside al these consid
erations l repeat. my dear John. that
the appointment of the head steward
lies as much, IL not more. with yos.
than with me. Let the choice fall
where 1t may you will find me faith
fully abiding by II, whether II be the
best possible one or not and sincerely
wishing that he may equally improve
better opportunities of serving us both
than was the lot OF any of those who
have gone before him." Ha14
This speech of Mary practically
closes the story. Madison evidently
thoughn there would be a reconciliation
between the north and the south and
he had no idea that the black arm
would have to be cut off before JON
athan and Mary could have an indis :
soluble union. This is Indicated in the
last paragraph which reads as fol-
lows.
Now, John. who had good heart,
as we'll as a sound head and a steady
temper. was touched with the tende-
and considerate language of Mary, and
the pickering which had sprung up
ended as the quarrels of lovers always,
and of married folks sometimes, do in
an increased affection and confidence
between the PARTIES, .-
FRANK G. CARPENTER.