Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-06-20

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any son! They told me you never
would como back"
can take to Mr. Jefferson, our best
friend, the proof that he was right In
his plans. His great dream has come
true, and l in some part helped to
make it true. Should I not now be
happy?"
"You should be, Merne, but are you?"
81 am well, and l find you still we'll
and strong. My friend, Will Clark, has
come back with me hearty as boy.
Everything has been fortunate with us.
Look at mev' he demanded, turning
and stretching out his mighty arms.
Eyes, but are you happy? Turn your
face to me-"
But he did not turn his face.
II told my friend, William Clark"
he said lightly as he rose, ito join me
here after an hour or so. think l see
his party coming now. York rides
ahead. do you see? He is free negro
now. He will have stories enough to
set all our blacks idle for month. l
must 20 down to meet Will and our
other guests"
William Clark, bubbling over with
his own Joy of life, set all the house
hold in a whirl. There was nothing
but cooking, festivity, dancing. hilarity.
so long as he remained at Locust Hill.
But the mother of Meriwether Lewis
looked with jealous eye on William
Clark Success, glory, honor. fame, re-
ward-these now belonged to Meri-
wether Lewis. to them both, his moth
er knew. But why did not his laugh
sound high like that Of his friend?
Spic and span. cap-a-pie. pictures OF
splendid young manhood. the two cap
tains rode one afternoon up to the
great gate before the mansion house
of the nation. Lewis looked about him
at scenes once familiar. And when.
running on ahead Of his companion. he
knocked at Mr.. Jefferson's office door
finging it open as he did so with the
freedom of his old habit. he looked In
upon familiar sight.
Thomas Jefferson was sitting bent
over his desk. as usual Uttered with a
thousand papers. and on the top OF
the desk. spread out long and over all.
lay a great map whose identity these
two young men easily could tell-the
Lewis and Clark map sent back from
the Mandan country. Thomas Jefferson
had kept it at his desk every day since
it had come to him. more than two
years before.
He turned now toward the door
casually, for he was used to the inter
ruptions of his servants. What he saw
brought him to his feet. He spread
out his arms impulsively, he shook the
hand Of each in turn, drew them to
him before he motioned them to seats.
Never had Meriwether Lewis seen such
emotion displayed by his chief.
81 could hardly wait for your said
Mr.. Jefferson. He began to pace up
and down. II knew it. knew it, he
exclaimed Nov they will call us
constitutional. perhaps, since we have
added a new world to our country.
My son. that was our vision You
have proved it. You have been both
dreamer and doer!"
He came up and placed Il half play
full hand on Meriwether Lewis Shout
der.
did know men. then?" he de-
mandcd.
"And did l. Mr.. jefferson? Captain
Clark
"YOu do not say the title correctly!
1t IS not Captain Clark. it is not Cap
tain Lewis. that stand before me now.
You are to have LOGO acres Of land
each of you. You. my son, will be
Governor Lewis of the new Territory
of Louisiana, and your friend is not
Captain Clark, but General Clark,
agent of all the Indian tribes of the
westw
In silence the hand of each of the
young men went out to the president.
Then their own eyes met and their
hands. They were not to be separat-
ed after all; they were to work togeth-
er yonder in st. Louis!
"GOvernor-general-1 welcome you
back! YSu will come back to your old
rooms here in my family, Merne, and
we will find a place for your friend.
What we have here is at the service
Of both of you. You are the guests of
the nation!"