An Unoficial Patriot

self be true

nge the political literature of the time. He was always ready and eager to enter the debates of his class upon the ever pregnant and always recurring slavery extension and compromise bills. The young fellows had numerous hot arguments over the position of the different statesmen of the time, and Stephen A. Douglas furnished Beverly with many a hard hour's thinking. Mr. Davenport adhered to Douglas; but Beverly inclined to persistently oppose his point of view. When, at last, Douglas had taken the side of repeal in that famous measure-the Missouri Compromise Bill, which had been at once the hope and the despair of all the great northwest,-Beverly no longer hesitated. He and his father took different sides, final

him and he is determined. I burned the first copy and he has bought another. He says he will buy fifty

xclaimed in surprise: "The 'Age of Reason'! Paine's book! Wh

-why not let him use it? Let him read anything he wants to. We can't judge for him. He'll be all right anyhow. You know that. He and I differ in politics now. He is going the radical road and I'm staying by the old line whigs; but-oh, tut, tut, Katherine! let's not hamper the boy's mind with our notio

id it was a fearful book-infidel-" She broke off, but stammered some

fellow; don't let us make a pretender of him. Let him read what he does openly. You may be very sure if it looks wrong to him he won't want to be open with it. I don't want to hurt Beverly as my father, dear soul, hurt me-intending it for my own good, of course; but-but-can't you trust Beverly, Katherine? I can. And maybe, after all, people have not understood this book. Leave it here. I believe I'll read it myself." Katherine was astonished, but the little talk rested and helped her. That night the book was on Beverly's table again and nothing was said of it. Beverly had joined his father's

you out of the churc

Beverly, whistling-"and fat

t, the little matter of the social dance had blown over, and

Congress feeling ran to blows. The air was thick and heavy with threats of-no one knew what. Old friendships were broken and new ones strained into real enmity. Brothers took different sides. Fathers and sons became bitter. Neighbor lo

at college. There is a tremendous upheaval just ahead of us. Could you-would you

ancy of speech an unaccustomed quality of unrest an

son? Out with it,"

l, you know his father owns that little free-soil paper out in Missouri th

lly agree with those last editorials-too fiery-but a ve

at's what he has done since he was graduated. Shap wants me for political editor, mostly. He's a red-hot free-soiler, and he knows I am. I sent him my last two speeches and he used 'em in the paper. He says they took like wildfi

quizzically, with lips pursed up, at this

d to ask you if you could let me have the money. It is such a sp

his boyish form of speech,

t there just now can't be made out of very meek stuff, Bev. It won't be a nest of roses for any three young bird

ask you to-day. Of course, you'd really own the stock. It

ure you know what you want and can do, I reckon you don't need to worry over the money for the s

his thoughts how hard it had been to approach the topic nearest his heart, and how cruelly it had all ended. He realized, as he often did these days, how boyish and immature he must have seemed to his

vely to make the boy feel the tenderness of his intent-"

firmed his misconception. He arose, disappointed, and started for the door. Griffit

g, Bev. When I was about you

her; but, to tell the truth, we succeeded in hurting each other sorely. And there wasn't the least need of it. It took us both a long time to get over the hurt of it. I sometimes doubt

ife on the table beside him, and there ca

ldn't think--" began Beverly, eagerly, with a suspicio

reckon you didn't understand me. I meant to say this: I still think my father was wrong. Now, if I can help it, I don't want the time to ever come, that when you recall your first independent effort with me, you will think that of me. I've always intended to try to rem

father-for months

he matter and get that stock for you, and see how

od his father's wish. He threw both arms about his neck and kissed him as he had not done since he was a little fellow. Mr. Davenport held the boy close to hi

hty careful to keep out of trouble out there. It's a hot State just now. The times are scorching, and-God only knows what's in store for the country. Keep out of trouble and hasty words, son. Bless me, but I'm glad it's not Roy! He'd be in trouble before he got his first stick set up. They call it a stick. don't they? I'll have to coach up on journalistic language if I'm to have an editor for a son. The proof of the editorials will be in the reading thereof," he added, smiling at the play upon the old saying. "But I stipulate right now that you send me every one you write marked in red, so I won'

ime to time, "but it would be the rear of me loif, shure, before h