The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-17
Theodosiu Burr

l his case. sent him away, yes. Would you ask him back for any cause?" l In turn she laid small hand upon i the presidents arm.
 "Only for himself-for that reason l alone, MT. Jefferson. and not to change l your plans-for himself, because you love him. Oh, sir, even the greatest courts sometimes arrest their judg- ment if there is new evidence to be l introduced At the last moment jus tice gives a condemned man one more l chance"
 What is it, Theodosia?" he said 1 quietly. "I do not grasp all this." | Able men say that this government cannot take advantage of the sale of Louisiana to us by Napoleon; that our constitution prevents our taking over foreign territory already populated to make into new states of our own
 Good, my learned counsel! Say on!' l Forgive my weak wit. I only try to say this as I heard 1t, well and plainly"
 As well as any man, my dear. 1 Go on"
 Therefore, even if Captain Lewis does go forward, he can only fail at the last. This is what is said by the Federalists; by your enemies"
 And perhaps by certain of my own party not Federalists-by Colonel Aar- on Burr, for instance!' Thomas lief ferson smiled grimly.
 "Yes!'' She spoke grimly and with courage. 1 "I cannot pause to inquire what my I enemies say, my dear. lady. But in what way could this affect our friend, Captain Lewis? He is under orders on my errand." l 'I saw him this very morning. I took my reputation in my hands. I followed him, I urged him, I implored i him, to stopr'S v 1 Yes? And did he?'s
 "Not for an instant. Ah, see you smile! might have known he would from you could induce him to hesitate for a moment"
 My dear young lady, said to, Cap tain Lewis that no report from any source would cause me for an instant to doubt his loyalty to me. If anything could shake him in his loyalty it would be his regard for you yourself. But since trust his honor and your own do not fear that such conflict can ever occur.::' &l 1 She did not reply. After time the president went on gently:
 My dear, would you wish him to come back? Would you condemn him further to the tortures of the damned? And would you halt him while he is trying to do his duty as a man and a soldier? What benefit to you?"'
 She drew. up proudly.
 "What benefit, indeed, to me? Do you think I would ask this for my self? No; 1t was for him. It was for his welfare only that I dared to come to you. And you will not hear new evidence?"
 l But now she was speaking to Thom- as Jefferson, the president of the Unit ed States, man of affairs as well, man of firm will and clear cut decision.
 Madam" said he coldly, "in this office we do thing but once. Had I condemned wonder young man to his death, and perhaps I have, I would not now reconsider that decision. l would not speak so long as this over it did not know and love you both yes, and grieve over you both. But what is written is written" His giant hand fell lightly, but with drmness, on the desk at his side. The 1 tnnYnTo 0f vryf1l yyo0 present in the room as an actual thing. l Tears swan in her eyes. "YOu would not hear what was the l actual cause of my wish for him'- l No, my dear. We have made our } plans"
 '"There are other plans afoot these days, MT. Jefferson"
 Tut, tut! Are you my enemy too? Oh, yes, I know there are enemies enough in wait for me and my admin ] istrat1on on every side. Yes, know plan-I know of many such. But one thing also l do know, madam, and it | Is this: Not all the enemies on this earth can alter me one iota in this un- dertaking on which have sent Cap tain Lewis. As against that magnif- cent adventure there is nothing can be offered as an offset, nothing that can halt 1t for an instant. No reward to him or me-nay, no reward to any oth- CT human being-shan stop his ad- vancement in that purpose which he shares with me. If he fails I fail with him and all my life as we'll" i She rose now, calm before the i'm perious quality of his nature. so unlike his former gentleness.
 You refuse, then, MT. Jefferson? You will not reopen this case?" 'I refuse nothing to you gladly, my dear lady. But you have seen him. You have tested him. Did he turn back? Shall I, his friend and his chief halt him at such time? Now, that were the worst kindness to him in the world. And I am convinced that you ! and l both plan only kindness for him."
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