Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-05-24

public to the world his judgment Of
Colonel Aaron Burr, at that time vice
president of the United States. But
in his diary, written in f%rankness by
himself for himself. he put down the
following:
l have never seen Colonel Burr till he
became a membe of the senate. His con-
duct very soon inspired mo with distrust.
| habituaily cautioned Mr.. Madison
against trusting him too much. | saw that
under General w. and Mr.. Adams, where
a great military appointment or a diplo-
matte one was to be made, lie came post
TO Philadelphia to show himself, and in
1act he was always in the market if they
wanted him.. He was indeed told by Day
ton in 1890 that he might be secretary at
war, but this bid was too late. His cleo
tion as vice president was then foreseen.
With these impressions of Colonel Burr
there never has been any intimacy be-
tween us and but little association.
n certain plan of this same Colonel
Burr now went forward in such fash
ion as involved the loyalty Of Meri-
wether Lewis. the mar to whom, of all
others Of his acquaintance, Thomas
Jefferson gave first place in trust and
confidence and friendship-the young
man who but now was making his un-
ostentatious departure on the great ad-
venture that they two had planned.
His garb ill cared for, his hair un-
kenpt. his face a trifle haggard, work
ing on into the day whose dawn he had
seen arise, the tall, gaunt old man set
aside first one minor matter. then an
otlier. leaving them all exactly finish
ed. At last he wrote down for later
forwarding the last item of his own
knowledge regarding the new country
into which he had sent his young
friend:
lave received word from Paris that
Mr.. Broughton, one of the companions Of
Captain Vancouver, went up the Columbia
river 100 miles in December, 1892. He stop
ped at a point he named Vancouver. Here
the river Columbia is still a quarter of a
mile wide. From this point Mount Hood
is seen about twenty leagues distant,
which is probably a dependency of the
Stony mountains. Accept my affectionate
salutations.
This was the last word Meriwether
Lewis received from his chief. AS the
latter finished it he sat looking out of
the window toward that west which
meant so much to him.
He did not at first note the Interrupt
lion of his reyerie. Long ago he had
made public his announcement that
the time of Thomas Jefferson belong.
ed to the public and that he might be
seen at any time by any man. He
hesitated now but a moment, there
fore, when old Henry, his faithful
black, threw open the door and stated
simply that there was "a lady wantin'
to see Mistah Jef'son."
"Who is she. Henry?" inquired the
president of the United States mildly.
Il am somewhat busy today"
"'Tain't no difference, she say. She
sho'ly want see Mistah Jef'son."
The tired old man smiled and shrug-
ged his shoulders. A moment later
the persistent caller was ushered into
the Office Of the nations chief execu-
tive. He rose co%urteously to meet her.
1t was Tleodosia Aston, whom he
hdu Alo"A " lCl SulluuOOu. N1l
Jefferson greeted her with his hant
outstretched and, her arm still in his
led her to a seat.
My DEAR" said he, you will pardon
u confusion here, l am sure. There
are many Matters
II know it is an intrusion, Mr.. JEFF
ferson,' began Theodosia Aston again
her face flushing swiftly. But yol
are so good, so kind, so great in you
patience. that we all take advantage
of you. And yet you are SO tired,
she added impulslvely as she caugh
sight of his haggard face.
II was not so fortunate as to fine
time for sleep last night" He smiled
again with humorous. half twisted
mouth.
"Nor was L."
Tut, tut! No, no, my dear, that sor
Of thing will not do" He looked a
her in silence for some time. "Per
haps, my DEAR" said he at last. "yo1
come regarding Captain Lewis?"
"How did you know?" she exclaim
ed, startled.
why should l not know" II
pushed his chair so close that he nigh
lay a hand upon her arm. Listen
Theo, my child. l am an old man
and l am your friend and his also.
had need to be very blind had I no
known long ago what I did know.
am, perhaps the only confidant Of Car
tain Lewis, and l repose in him conf
dences that l would venture to no 9th
err man, but he is not the sort to spea
Of such matters. 1t is only by virtu
Of exceptional circumstances, my deal
that I know the story Of you two"
She was looking straight into hi
face, her eyes mournful.
"I-was glad to send him away, sore
ly as l miss him. But. then. you sal,
you come to me about him?"
Eyes, after he Is gone, knowing al
that you say, because ! trust you
great kindness and your chivalry.
come to ask you to call him back! Oh
Mr.. jefferson, were it any other maj
l., kIa -,o,J1 Ir.L -a...-Ia r t5 -