Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-07-19
Theodosia Burr

II knew that before you had left the
mouth Of the Ohio river he would do
his best to stop you. l knew it before
you had left Harpers Ferry. But I
placed the issue in the lap Of the gods.
I applied to you all the tests-the Sc
verest tests-that one man can to an
other. I let you alone! For a year,
two years, three years, 1 did not know.
But now I do know, and the answer is
yonder flag which you have carried
from n ocean to the other. The an
swer is in this map, all these hides
scrawled in coal. all those new thou
sands of miles of land-our land. God
keep it safe for us always! And may
the people n day know who really
secured it for them. 1t was not so
much Thomas Jefferson as it was
Meriwether Lewis.
each time l dreamed that my sub
tie enemies were tempting you l pray
ed in my own soul that you would be
strong; that you would go on; that you
would be loyal to your duty, no matter
what the cost. God answered those
prayers, my boy! Whatever was your
need, whatever price you paid, you did
what I prayed you would do. When
the months passed and you did not
come back l knew that not even the
woman you loved could have called you
back. 1 knew that yor had learned
the priceless lesson of remuneration. of
sacrifice, through which alone the great
deeds Of the world always have been
done"
Meriwether Lewis stood before his
much speech. Thomas Jefferson look
ed at him for a moment before he
went on.
"NIy boy, you are so simple that you
will not understand. You do not I'M
derstand how we'll understand you.
f, These things are not done without
cost. If there was punishment for you
you took that punishment-or you will.
You kept your oath as an officer and
your unwritten oath as a gentleman.
1t is a great thing for a man to have
his honor altogether unsullied."
"Mr. Jefferson.' The young man be-
fore him lifted a hand. His face was
CHASTITY pale. do not said he. edo
not, l beg Of you"
"What is it, Merne?" exclaimed the
old man. "What have l done?"
"You speak of my honor. DO not!
Indeed, you touch me deep"
Thomas Jefferson. wise old man, rails
ed a hand.
81 shall never listen, my son." said
he. II will accord to you the right Of
hot blood to run hot. You would not
be a man worth knowing were it not
so. All I know or will know is that
whatever the price you have paid it
or will pay it. But tell me, Merne, can
you not tear her from your soul? 1t
will ruin you. this hopeless attachment
which you cherish. Is it always to re-
main with. you9 1 bid you find some
other woman. The best in the land are
waiting for YOU"
"Mr. Jefferson, I shall never marry"
The two sat looking into each 9th.
er's eyes for just q moment. Said
Thomas Jefferson at length, slowly:
$50! You have come back with all
happiness, all success, for me and fol
others, but not for yourself. Such
proving as you have had has fallen to
the lot of but few men. I know now
how great has been the cost. I see IT
in your face. The fifteen millions ]
paid for yonder lands was nothing
We have bought them with the happi
ness of a human soul. The transient
gratitude of this republic, the honor OF
that little paper-ah, they are nothing
But perhaps it may be something fol
understands"
Lewis did not speak.
"What is lost is lost" the president
began again after a time. "What is
broken is broken. But see how clearly
I look into your soul. You are not
thinking now Of what you can do fol
yourself. You are not thinking OF
your new rank, your honors. You are
asking now, at this. moment, what
yEu can do for her. Is it not 500"
The smile that came upon the young
mans face was a beautiful, a wonder.
full thing to see. 1t made the wise old
man sad to see it, but thoughtful too.
'"She is at Richmond, Merne?" said
MI. Jefferson a moment later.
The young man nodded.
"And the greatest boon she could
ask Would be her fathers freedom, the
freedom of the man who sought to ruin
this country, the man whom I scarce
ly dare release"
The thin lips compressed for a mo.
ment. 1t was not in i%mplacable
vengeful zeal; it was but in thought.
"Now, them" said Thomas Jefferson
sharply, "there comes n veil, a curtain
between you and me and all the world
No record must show that either OF
us raised a hand against the full action
of the law or planned that Colone'
Burr should not suffer the full penalty
OF the code. Yes, that is true, but not
his daughter!"
"Mr. Jefferson" The face of Meri
wether Lewis vas strangely moved
i"