Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-09-20

tentatously dressed. and carried q
light sword as badge of his caste.
1t was the Marquis de la Fayetto,
then not more than twenty years O!
age, of aristocratic family, wealthy in
his own right, and doubly SO through
the young wife he had Just married.
had never seen nor heard Of him al
that date, but God wot, he sprang into
prominence soon enough thereafter.
At our introduction, he jumped to his
feet and shook hands with me az II
were an old acquaintance.
"Yeu two hotheads are well
matched" said Franklin, with his slow
smile; but seriously. marquis, 1t IL a
hArebrained proposition, this Of yours.
u the name OF my government, ]
thank you for your desire TO personal
1y 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 l fear that Howe will over
take him ere this. l 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, msieur." 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. l offer my services 70 your
country. am devoted to its new
principles. cannot remain inactive.
i doubt not that NJ. Dressler, as q
good American, VIII agree with me.
II 1t not so?" He turned, smiling to
me with the open frankness Of boy.
And i, understanding little Of his
situation save that here was an aris-
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 l been 80 eloquent or so
carried away by an exalted sense Of
truth.
remember little Of what said, but
know La Fayette's eyes sparkled as
l. la, 1.
lin appeared Interested, and that he
was very sober: ana 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
live and grow and strengthen, matur-
ing slowly. and at last her name Will
dominate all other, 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, astonisheG at my
own temerity. Franklin pursed his
lips and smiled inGu)sently, and the
marquis grasped my hand; his angu-
lar face was animated as lie turned
TO Franklin.
Il am convinced" be cried. up
to this moment l have only cherished
your cause; now ! am going to serve
il. shall buy or bald a ship. shall
furnish 1t with arms and supplies.
shall enlist few choice souls, and
shall so to Ameri u and offer my
sword TO your Congress. ! shall no,
| be Gissuaded. II Vergennes or his
majesty forbids my going, shall dis
| obey them. Mr.. Dressler, will you &C
| with me?"
Would l go! If had fired La
| Fayette, he passed hack the spark Il
me. consented without qualification
| You are, then, determined?" sait
| Franklin. you will risk running youl
family, perhaps losing your liberty, j
moi your life, and quite likely finding
Congress unappreciative Of you
| fine enthusiasm"
my mind will remain firm," wal
the reply.
| Daniel" said Franklin, you vii
| kindly leave us. l wish 10 have few
private words with the marquis
His request was command. ! 1ef
the room, and as ! closed the door be
hind me the man j had seen waiting
In the anteroom arose and came FOL
ward. ] then marked that be had al
ugly red scar across his left cheek
He spoke abruptly. and none too pe
Iitely, thought
as the MARQUIS de la Fayette with
in?" the man demanded rather thai
asked.
He is" answered.
81 have followed him for the pul
pose OF seeing him. | preceded yol
n'sieur. BY what right Of effronter
do you, a mere untitled American
pass me and enter unannounced?