Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-05-24

night. A light burned uneil
~ sunrise in the little Office room
of Thomas Jefferson. Spread upon his
desk, covering it's litter Of unfinished
business, lay a large map-a map which
today would cause any schoolboy to
smile, but which at that time represent
ed the wisdom OF the world regarding
the interior Of the great North Ameri-
can continent. 1t had served to afford
anxious study for two mel these many
hours.
"Yonder it lies, Captain Lewis" said
Mr.. Jefferson at length. GLOW vast,
how little known! We know our eli
mate and soil here. 1t is but reason
able to suppose that they exist yonder
as they do with us, in some part at
least. II so, yonder are homes for mill
lions now unborn. Had General Bona
parte known the value Of that land he
would have fought the world rather
than ALLEVIATE such a region"
The president tapped a long forefn-
ger on the map.
"This, then," he went OH, "is your
country. Find it out-bring back to
m examples Of it's soil, it's products, its
vegetable and animal life. Espy out
: especially for IS any strange animals
there may be Of which science has not
yet account. I hold it probable that
there may be yonder living examples of
the mastodon, whose bones we have
found in Kentucky. You yourself may
see those enormous creatures yet alive
Meriwether Lewis listened il silence.
Mr.. Jefferson turned to another branch
of his theme.
II fancy that some time there will be
a canal built across the isthmus that
binds this continent to the II below
a canal which shall connect the two
great oceans. But that is far in the
future. 1t is for you to spy out the
way now across the country itself. Tx
plore it-discover tit is our new
world.
"a few must think for the many" he
went On. II had to slnuggle this APP.
preparation through congress-$2,500-
the price of a poor Virginia farm!
have tempered with the constitution it.
self in order to make this purchase OF
a country not included in our original
territorial lines. l have taken my OWL
chances-just as you must take yours
now. The finger of God will be your
guide and your protector. Are you
ready, Captain Lewis? It is late"
Indeed, the sun was rising ovel
Washington; the mists of morning
were reeking along the banks of tho
r Potomac.
: II can start in half an hour" re
piled Meriwether Lewis.
Are your men ready. your supplies
gathered together?"
: 1.-THE rendezvous is at Harpers Fer
ry, up the river. The wagons with thu
supplies are ready there. l will take
boat from here myself with a few 0,
the men. Not later than tomorrow
afternoon l promise that we will b.
on our way. We burn the bridges be
hind US and cross none until we com
to them"
spoken like a soldier! 1t is in you
hands. Go then"
There was one look, one hand clasp
The two men parted. Nor did the,
meet again for years.
The sun still was young when Meri
wether Lewis at length descended The
steps of the executive mansion.
He was clad now for his journey
not In buckskin hunting garb, but will
regard for the conventions Of q cOun
try by no means free of convention
His jacket was of close wool, belted
his boots We're high and suitable fol
{ riding. Ills stock, snowy white-fol
always Meriwether Lewis was immac
u%late-rose high. around his throat II