The Jasper news., 1921-12-08
CHAPTER XXI.

Wherein q Remarkable School Of Po-
lltieal Science Begins lts Sessions
IN the Rear Of Joshua Speeds Store
Also at samson's FlresIde Honest
Abe Talks Of the Authority Of the
Law and the Right Of Revolution.
The boy Joe had had a golden week
at the home of the Brimsteads. The
fair Annabel, knowing not the power
that lay In her beauty, had captured
his young heart scarcely fifteen. years
of age. He had no interest in her
younger sister, Mary. But Annabel,
with her long skirts and full form and
glowing eyes and gentle dignity, had
stirred him to the depths. When he
left he carried soul heavy with re-
greet and great resolutions. Not that
he had mentioned the matter to her or
to any one. 1t was thing too sacred
for speech. TO God, In his prayers,
he spoke of II. but to no other.
He asked to be made and TO be
thought worthy. He would have had
the whole world stepped and put to
sleep for a term until he was delivered
from the bondage Of his tender youth.
That being impossible, 1t was for
him sad, but not a hopeless world.
Indeed, he rejolced in his sadness. An
mabel was four years older than he.
II he could make her to know the
depth of his passion, perhaps she
would wait for him. He sought for
self-expression In The Household Book
of Poetry--a sorrowful and pious vol.
ume. He could find no ladder OF
rhyme with an adequate. reach. he
endeavored to build one. He wrote
melancholy verses and letters. confess
ing his passion, TO Annabel, which
she did not encourage, but which she
always kept and valued for their IN
genuOus and noble ardor Some OF
these Anacreontics are among the
treasures inherited by her descend
ants. They were a matter of slight
importance, one would say, but they
mark the beginning Of great career
Immediately after his return TO the
new home In Springfield, the boy
Josiah, set out TO make himself hon
ored Of his ideal. In the effort he
made himself honored Of many. His
eager brain had soon taken the footing
OF manhood.
A remarkable school Of political
science had begun its sessions In the
little Western village of Springfield
The world had never seen the like Of
It. Abraham Lincoln. Stephen A
Douglas, E. d. Baker, o. H. Browning
Jesse B. Thomas, and Josiah Lamborn
IA most unusual array OF talent as
subsequent history has proved---were
wont to gather around the fireplace In
the rear Of Joshua Speeds store, eve
nings, to discuss the Issues Of the
time. Samson and his son Joe came
often to hear the talk. Douglas looked
like dwarf among those long-gearet
men. He was slight and short, being
only about five feet tall, but he had .
big, round head covered with thick
straight, dark hair, bulldog look anC
voice like thunder. Douglas anC
Lincoln were in a heated argument
over the admission Of slavery TO th'
territories the first night that Samson
and Joe sat down with them.
1--WE didn't like that little rooster O.
a man, he had such high and might,
way with him and so frankly opposed
the principles we Believe in. He wal
an out-and-out pro-slavery man. III
would have every state free to regu
late its domestic institutions, in tt
own way, subject only to the Constitu
ton OF the United States. LincolI
held that 1t amounted TO saying tina
II one man chose to enslave anothe
no third party shall be allowed to OBJ
ject,'"
In the course OF the argument Doug
las alleged that the Wings were tn
aristocrats OF the country.
"That reminds me OF a night wheI
was speaking at Havana" said Hon
est Abe. "a man with a ruffied shIr
ana massive gold watch chain 90
up and charged that the Wings wer,
aristoerats. Douglas In his broad
cloth and fine linen reminds me o
that man. I'm not going to answe
Douglas as / answered him. Most o
the Wings / know are my kind o
folks. ! was a poor boy working o.
| a fathoat at eight dollars montl