Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-03-28
ali tie gravity it bore.

b
"Mr. Jefferson he began but paus-
cd. for he could see now standing be-
fore him his friend. the man whom of
all in the world he loved anu the man
who believed in him and loved him.
Yes. my SOM"
Your burden is grievous hard. anu
yet
"Yes, my son?'
But Meriwether Lewis could not
speak further. He stood now, his jaws
set hard, looking out Of the window.
The older man came and gently LAID
hand upon his shoulder.
Come. come. my son" said he. biz
own voice low and Of a kindness 1t
could assume at times "You must not
you must not yield to this, say.
Shake of this melancholy which SO OBJ
sesses you. know whence it comes
your father gave it to you, and you are
not to blame. But you have more than
your fathers strength to aid you. And
you have me, your friend. who can un.
derstand."
Lewis only turned on him an eye SO
full of anguish as caused the older man
to knit his brow in deep concern.
what Is it, Merne?" he demanded.
Tell me. All, you cannot tell? l
know. IT'S the old melancholy and
something more. Merne, my boy. Tell
me-ah, yes, it is a woman"
The young man did not speak.
II have often told all my young
friends" said Mr.. Jefferson slowly
after time, that they should marry
not later than twenty three-it is wrong
to cheat the years of life-and you ap-
proach thirty now, my son. Why lin
ger? Listen to me. No young man
may work at his best and have wo-
mans face in his desk to haunt him.
That will not do. We all have handi-
cap enough without that"
But still Meriwether could only look
into the face Of his superior.
81 know very well, my son." the
president continued. II know 1t all.
Put her out of your heart. my boy.
Would you shame yourself and her
and me?"
mo! Never would l do that, Mr..
jefferson, believe me. But now must
beg Of you, please, sir, let me go soon
let it be at once"
The older man stood looking ut him
for a time in silence as he went on
hurriedly:
II must say goodby to you, best and
noblest OF men. Indeed. have said
goodby to-everything."
las you say. your case is hopeless"
Eyes, SIR"
"Ah, well, we have both been plan
ming for our western expedition these
ten years, my son. So why should we
fret If matters conspire to bring it
about trifle earlier than we planned?
81 asked you when l was a boy to
send me. but you could not them"
"No, but instead I sent yonder maun-
dering Michaux. He, Ledyard and all
the others failed me. They never saw
the great vision. There it lies, un-
known, tremendous-no man knows
what-that new country. l have had
to hide from the people Of this repub-
lie this secret purpose which you and
have had Of exploring the vast west
ern country. l have picked you as the
one man fitted for that work. I do
not make mistakes. You are a born
woodsman and traveller. You are ready
to my hand as the instrument for this
magnificent adventure. cannot well
spare you now, but-yes, you must go!'
They stood there, two men who made
our great adventure for us vision seers.
vision owned. gazing each into the
others eyes.
"Send me now, Mr.. Jefferson" re-
peated Meriwether Lewis. "Send me
now. will mend to usefulness again.
will work for you all my life, If
need be, and want my name clear
with you"
The old man laid kindly hand
upon his shoulder.
II must yield you to your destiny"
said be. st will be great one" He
turned aside, hand to his lip as he
paced uncertainty. But ! still am
wondering what our friends are doing
yonder in France" said he. THAT is
the question. Livingston, Monroe and
the others-what are they doing with
Napoleon Bonaparte? The news from
France-but stay" he added. wait.
had forgotten. Come. we shall see
about it.
With the sudden enthusiasm Of boy
he caught his young aid by the arm.
They passed down the hall, out by the
rear entrance and across the White
House grounds to the brick stables.
which then stood at the rear.
Mr.. jefferson paid no attention to the
sleek animals there which looked in
greeting toward him. Instead, he pass
ed in front Of the series Of stalls, and
without excuse or explanation hurried
ly began to climb the steep ladder which
led to the floor above.
They stood at length in the upper
apartment of the stable buildings. 1t
was not NOW or feed loft, but rather
a bird loft, devoted to the use OF many
pigeons. All about the caves We're ar
ranged many boxes-nesting places, ap-
parently, although none OF the birds
entered the long room, which seemed
free of any occupancy.
Mr.. jefferson stood for a moment.
eagerly scanning the rear Of the tier
If boxes. An exclamation broke from
him. He hurried forward with sud