The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1913-09-25

0 problem
3 eff we had less politics and mol
business we would be better off,"
t "But the trouble is, general. we can
4 have more business until politics haV
settled some things KS a
You're throwing yourself away i
politics. young man. There's nothin
in it but dirt and disappointment"
ITO me. sir. politics is religion
"Religion! Politics.! I didn't know
you could ever mix 'em. | though
they were about as far apart as heavel
; is from hell" exclaimed the general.
''They ought not to be. sir. whateve
the terrible facts. believe that tn
government is the organized virtue O
the community, and that politics is re
ligion in action. 1t may be a poor sor
Of religion. but it is the best we are
capable Of as members of society"
H"Well. that's a new idea."
"It's coming to be more and more
| recognized by thoughtful men. gen
eral. l believe that the state is now
the only organ through which the
| whole people can search for righteous
ness, and that the progress Of the
world depends more than ever on it's
integrity and purity"
'Well. you've cut out a big job for
yourself. If that's your ideal. My idea
Of politics is a pigpen. The way to
clean it is to kill the pigs"
CASTOR laughed and shook his head.
When they returned from the mills,
Mrs. Worth drew the general into her
room.
did he ask you for Sallie?"
mo: the young galoOt never men
toned her name. l thought he would.
But, somehow. I must have scared
him.
"You didn't quarrel over anything?"
mo! But l found out he had q
mind Of his own
$50 have you. SIR
The generals letter in answer to his
asking for Sallie's hand came after
two weeks delay.
He stared at it for an hour, trying
to grasp the mystery that lay back of
it's halting. half contradictory SEN
fences. He did not know until long
afterward that the general had written
it with two blue eyes watching him
and waiting to read it; and that her
tears had washed all the harshness
and emphasis out of what he had
meant to write. and all but blotted out
any meaning to what he did write.
But withal it was clear enough in it's
import. 1t meant that the general had
haltingly but authoritatively denied
his suit. He instantly made up his
mind to ask an interview at his home
and know plainly his reasons for this
change of attitude. He wrote his let
ter and posted it immediately He
knew that the request would precipi- |
tate crisis. and he trembled at the |
outcome. Either her father would |
hesitate and receive him or end with a |
crash of his, imperious will.
Two days passed and the noon mail
brought CASTOR no answer. At night |
he felt sure it would come.
When the wagon dashed up to the |
postoff1ce it was fifteen minutes late.
He was walking up and down the street
on the opposite pavement along the
square. keeping under the shadows of
the trees. He turned. quickly crossed
the street. and stood inside the Office,
with a feeling of strange alb
straction to the tramp of the post
masters feet back and forth as he
the mail. He never knew
before what a tragedy might be con-
cealed in the thrust of bit of folded
paper into tiny glass eyed box. AS
be waited, fearing to face his fate,
ne remembered the pathetic figure of
gray haired old man who stood there
one day hanging on that desk softly
,alking to himself. He was a stran-
ger at the Springs. and they were alone
n the Office together. Now and then
le brushed tear. from his eyes.
glanced timidly at the window of the
general delivery. starting at every
quick movement inside as though
lfraid the window had opened. Gas
on had gone up close to the old man,
Lrawn by the look of anguish in his
Ilgnified face. The stranger intuitive-
Y recognized the sympathy of the
movement. and explained, tremblingly:
My son. am waiting for Il message
+ life or death"-he faltered, seized
us hand. and added. land I'm afraid
o see it"'
Just then the window opened and he
lutched his arm and gasped. with d.
ated, staring eyes:
There, there; it's come! You go for
ne. son. and ask while l pray! I'm
fraid''
How we'll CASTOR remembered now
nth what trembling eagerness the old
IAN had broken the seal and then
TODD with head bowed low, crying. .
Il thank and bless thee, oh, mother
Jesus, for this hourv' And looking
p into his face with tear streaming
yes he cried in a rich, low voice, like }
'nder music. How beautiful are the :
let of them that bring glad tidingsv'
He could feel now the warm pressure
his hand as he walked out of the
flee with him !