Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-04-04

sui rules the south. just as Britain
rules the middle country out beyond
And what Is left? snap my fingers
at this republic!"
Senior Yrujo helped himself to a
Drumming glass Of his own wine.
81 say that western country is ours
he still insisted, warming to his ora.
ton now. Suppose. under coercion.
our sovereign did cede it to Napoleon.
who claims it now? Does Spain not
govern it still? Do we not collect the
revenues? Is not the whole system Of
law enforced under the flag of Spain
all along the great river yonder? Pos
session. exploration. discovery-those
are the rights under which territories
are annexed. France has the title to
that west. but we hold the land itself
we administer it. And never shall it
90 from under our flag unless it be
through the act Of stronger foreign
powers. Spain will fight"
"Will Spain fight?" demanded a deep
and melodious voice. 1t was that Of
Aaron Burr who spoke now, half In
query, half in challenge. Would Spain
Highland would Great Britain, if need
were and the time came?'
He spoke to men heated with wine.
smarting under social indignity. men
owning hurt personal vanity.
Our past is proof enough" said Mer-
~ proudly.
Yrujo needed no more than a shrug.
divide and cOnquer?" Burr went on.
looking at them and raising an eye
brow in query. ..
They nodded, both Of them. Burr
looked around. His daughter and Meri-
wether Lewis were oblivious. He saw
the young mans eyes, somber, deep,
fixed on hers: saw her gazing in re-
turn, silent, troubled. fascinated.
One preSumes that it was at this mo-
mental the instant when Aaron Burr,
seeing the power his daughter held
over young Meriwether Lewis and the
interest he held for her. turned to
these foreign officials at his left-at
that moment, let us say. the Burr con-
spiracy began.
Divide that unknown country. the
west. and how long would this repub-
lie endure?' said Aaron Burr
The noise Of the banquet now rose
about them. Voices blended with
laughter. The wine was passing.
Awkwardness and restraint had given
way to good cheer In manner they
were safe to talk.
"What" demanded Aaron Burr once
more. Gould i few francs transfer
all that marvellous country from Spain
to France? That We're absurd T.
what possible title could that region
yonuer ever come to this republic? Ii
is still more absurd to think that. Civ
iiiZation does not leap across great riv-
err valleys. 1t follows them. You have
said rightly Senior Yrujo. To my mind
Great Britain has laid fair grasp upon
the upper west, and Spain holes the
lower west. with which our statesmen
have interested themselves of late. BY
I'LL TIC llSulS IA SoIluSSCs ulSSoNShS
and use, gentlemen. Great Britain's
traders have gained for her flag all
the territory which they have reached
on their western trading routes. l so
with you that far"
Merry turned upon Burr suddenly
deep and estimating eye.
II begin to see," said he, that you
are open to conviction, Mr.. Burr"
mot open to conviction" said Aaron
Burr, but already convinced"
what do you mean, Colonel Burr?"
The Englishman bent toward him.
frowning in intentness.
II mean that perhaps l have some
thing to say to you two gentlemen of
the foreign courts which will be Of In
terest and importance to you"
where, then. could we meet after
this is over?"
The minister from Great Britain
surely was not beyond close and ready
estimate Of events.
"At my residence after this dinner"
rejoined Aaron Burr instantly. His
eye did not waver as it looked into
the others, but blazed with all the fire
of his own soul. Across the Alleghe-
MES, along the great river, there is a
land waiting. ready for strong men.
Are we such men, gentlemen? And
can we talk freely as such among our
selves"
Their conversation, carried on in or
binary tones. had not been marked by
any. Their brows, drawn sharp in
sudden resolution. their glance each to
the other, made their ratification Of
this extraordinary speech.
They had no time for anything fur
ther at the moment. A sound came to
their ears, and they turned toward the
head of the long table. where the tan
figure of the president of the United
States was rising in his place. The
dinner had drawn toward its close.
Mr.. jefferson now stood, gravely re-
garding those before him, his keen eye
losing no detail Of the strange scene.
He knew the place Of every man and
woman at that board. Perhaps this
was his own revenge for a reception
he once had had at London. But at