The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-01-18
.HE scene Is laid chiefly in st.
Louis between 1857 and 1865.

Louis between 1857 and 1865.
L Stephen Drice, Of the Brah-
min class of Boston, after his fathers
business failure and death. came with
bis mother to st. Louis. there to study
and practice law in the Office of his
fathers friend, Judge Silas Whipple.
Virginia Carvel. the only child OF
Colonel Comyn Carvel. was beautiful
and distinguished. The colonel was of
an old Maryland family. He was the
leading dry goods merchant of st.
Louis and veteran of the Mexican
war.
Judge Whipple was taciturn and
abrupt. He concealed a generous
heart under forbidding exterior. He
slept in his office. He was a "black"
Republican. He secured clients because
they needed his professional ability.
He took Sunday dinner at Colonel
Carvel's. where the discussion over
slavery in Virginia's hearing went on
with planness of speech that only
the lifelong friendship of the two men
could have made possible. Colonel
Carvel was the highest type of South
ern gentleman.
Mrs. Brice, Stephens mother, bol e
her reduced fortune with dignity and
with high hope in her sons future and
aspirit of sacrifice in his interest.
Eliphalet Hopper was New
Highlander, in Colonel Carvel's employ.
INDUSTRIOUS and saving. he was unscru-
pulous and mean, valuing only finan-
clal success and cherishing jealousy of
others good fortune.
Clarence Colfax, the son of a rich
WIDOW, was Virginia's cousin. He ran
race horses. he fought gamecocks. He
nad a commanding Incidence" He
eeiieved society based on slavery vas
uV'neiy appointed. Masterful, courage
JUS athletic and handsome. he was u
"ue cavalier. useless except for war.
Inc events of the story sport with
ue natural antagonism, in tradition
aOo convictions, Of the Puritan Steph-
vu brice and the Lady of the Cava-
nets' virginia Carvel. They met first
~ slave market. A beautiful quad
roon Is put up for sale. With all his
.a''ngs of $500 Brice determines to
guy the girl from a life of shame with
Sa intending bidder and then free her.
'g'hia, through Colfax, also bids for
~e girl to use her as a maid. Brice,
sympathy for the pleading mother
'ne slave, persists in his purpose,
saa TO Virginia's great disgust. out
O.us the other two. and manumits the
Soon after, on her fathers insist
Que virginia protestingly invites
. ul'ce TO her first party. She snubs
-" out finally dances with him. They
"set again at a fancy dress party in
su'cn she appears in the costume of
r colonial great-grandmother, and
80 IN that Of his grandfather, a revo-
N"onary colonel. She had only gone
me assurance he would not be
mere. His appearance prevents her
s,,ng way to the wooing of Clarence
A"ey meet again ut the country
mug OF the Carvels, where Judge
"u'pple is convalescent and there
s treasure each other in discussion.
through Judge Whipple and her girl
.'ehds' news of Frice is constantly
thrust on her.
- Suas Whipple knew and felt Lin
us greatness and leadership. Whip
d Brice's ability and higl,
uallte but regretted his Boston
ewness. He sought to broaden
sub,ecting him to Linco!n's
- Ity. Under pretcnce of bust
to irand, he asked Lincoln to let
ung man hear his debate at
~ with Douglas. Brice was
foln the night before In a
N IRE, hatless. coatless. vest
III pssed the wisdom Of ask.
81 Z the great question. the
M which made Douglas sena-
III Lincoln president. Lincoln's
n.,d intellectual honesty. his pure
gic. his lucidity Of style. and his
wer Of apt Illustration, with his no
ity Of soul and purpose. impress
emselves on young Brice and pro
undly affect his point Of view.
Missouri was saved for the Union by
Frank Blair and Nathaniel Lyon. Un.
der their leadership the Germans OF