Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1917-10-12

In the name OF my government,
thank you for your desire to personal
ly help our cause. but cannot encour
age you to throw away your fortune
and your future. The time is ripe
and matters are looking desperate
General Washington was in full re
treat across New Jersey at last ad
vices. and fear that Howe will over
take him ere this. think you would
suffer to no purpose. Moreover, the
king will never give his consent"
This was in the limping French that
Franklin had acquired.
Pardon, m'sieur." said the mar.
Quis. "As yet have had no specific
orders from his majesty. and liberty
In distress needs what help she can
get; the darker the hour the more the
need. offer my services to your
country. l am devoted I'd its new
principles. l cannot remain inactive.
l doubt not that M. Dressler, as q
good American, will agree with me.
Is it not sol" He turned, smiling to
me with the open frankness of a boy.
And l. understanding little of his
tocrat who had seen the light, though
his social order was against the rights
of mani, / say. forgetting conven-
tionalities, poured out my feelings and
convictions which political policy had
forbade me openly expressing. Not
even before the indulgent statesman
and diplomat had / ever been so out
spoken, so enthusiastic. The flood.
gates OF speech fell apart, and never
since have / been SO eloquent or SO
truth.
remember little of what said, but
know La Fayette's eyes sparkled as
he listened; know that even Frank.
lin appeared interested. and that he
was very sober; and l know that fin.
ished with:
Liberty, M'sieur Marquis, Liber-
ty is but just born. though since the
days of Rome men have spoken of the
coming heir OF the ages. And she will
iAfC dhh 6AOW anu ChSthCht
ing slowly, and at last her name will
dominate all others, and she will rule
the world. She will rule without a
scepter. and when recognized she will
reign forever. She is now an infant In
America. She needs your help and
that Of every man."
l stopped then, astonished at my
own temerity. Franklin pursed his
lips and smiled indulgently, and the
marquis grasped my hand; his angu.
lar face was animated as he turned
to Franklin.
Il am convinced" he cried. up
to this moment | have only cherished
your cause; now / am going to serve
it. l shall buy or build ship. l shall
furnish it with arms and supplies.
shall enlist few choice souls, and
shall go to America and offer my
sword to your Congress. l shall not
be dissuaded. If Vergennes or his
majesty forbids my going, | shall dis
obey them. Mr.. Dressler, will you go
with me?"
Would l go! II had fired La
Fayette, he passed back the spark to
me. / consented without qualification.
You are, then, determined" said
Franklin. You will risk running your
family, perhaps losing your liberty; if
not your life, and quite likely finding
a Congress unappreciative Of your
fine enthusiasm"
my mind will remain firm" was
the reply.
Daniel" said Franklin, you will
kindly leave us. l wish to have few
private words with the marquis
His request was a command. l left
the room, and as / closed the door be-
hind me the man / had seen waiting
ward. l then marked that he had an
ugly red scar across his left cheek.
He spoke abruptly, and none too pc
litely, l thought.
Us the Marquis de la Fayette with
in?" the man demanded rather than
asked.
He is" answered.
Il have followed him for the pur-
pose of seeing him. ! preceded you,
m'sieur. BY what right of effrontery
do you, mere untitled American,
pass me and enter unannounced? 1t
is an outraged"
"M'sieur," l answered. angered by
his tone, but holding myself well in
hand. your words are almost an in.
suit. For title, there is none greater
than that of American AS for the
rest--it is my business" And with
that l turned my back on him and
went out. Certainly the last thing
that could have entered my mind as
left him wa that the man with the
scar on his left cheek was destined to
be a powerful factor in my later life.