The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-14
Theodosia Burr


 me. It is your interest" one motive could have brought me. It is your interest. Oh, it is not for my self-it is for your tuture!''
 "Why did you come thus, unattend- ed? There is something you are con cealing. Tell me!'
 "Ah, you are harsh! You have no sympathy, no compassion, no gratitude! But listen, and will tell you. My fla ther, MT. Merry. the Spanish minister, are all men of affairs They have watched the planning of this e1pedi- tion. Why fly in the face of prophecy and of Providence? That is what my father says. He says that country can never De of benefit to our Union-that no new states can be made from 1t. He says the people will pass down the Mississippi river, but not beyond it.; that it is the natural line of our expan- sion; that men who are actual settlers are bound not into the unknown west, but into the well known south. He begs of you to follow the course of events and not to fly in the face of Providence"
 "You speak well. Go on''
 England is with us, and Spain--they back my fathers plans
 He turned now and raised hand
 Plans? What plans? I must warn you am pledged to my own country's service" i,
 ''Is not my father also? He is one of the highest officers in the government of this country"
 "You may tell me more or not, as you like"
 ''There is little more to tell" said she. '"rhese gentlemen have made cer- tain plans of which know little. sfy father said to me that Thomas Jeffer- son himself knows that this purchase from Napoleon cannot be made under the constitution of the United States that, given time for reflection, MT. Jef- ferson himself will admit that the I Louisiana purchase was but national folly from which this country cannot benefit. Why not turn, then, to fu- ture which offers certainties? Why not come with us and not attempt the i'm possible? That is what he said. And he asked me to implore you to pause
 lie sat motionless, looking straight ahead as she went on.
 'He only besought me to induce you, If I could, either to abandon your ex- petition wholly as soon as you honora- ply might do so or to go on with it only to such point as will prove it unfeasi hle and impracticable Not wishing you to prove traitorous to trust, these gentlemen wish you to know that they would value your association-that they would give you splendid opportunity. With men such as these that means a swift future of success for one-for one whom I shall always cherish warmly in my heart"
 The color was full in her face. He turned toward her suddenly, his eye clouded.
 Ut is an extraordinary matter in every way which you bring for me-" he said slowly-"extraord that for eigners, no. friends of this country. should call themselves the friends of m officer sworn to the service of the republic! Iconfess I do not understand t. And why send you?"
 "It is difficult for me to fell you But ny father knew the antagonism be- tween Mir. Jefferson and himself sad knew your friendship for MT. Jeffer- son. He knew also the respect, the pity-oh, what shall I say?-which have always felt for you-the re- gard"-
 Regard! What do you mean?'
 'I did not mean regard but the-the wish to see you succeed, to help you, if I could, to take your place among men. told you that but yesterday
 She was all confusion now, He seem ed pitiless.
 ''I have listened long enough to have my curiosity aroused. I shall have somewhat to ponder on the trail to the west
 Gro be continueG.)
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