240

CHAPTER XXXVI.
ENTHUSIASTIC JOHN BLUE 252

CHAPTER XXXVII.
POSTPONING HIS SHOUT OF TRIUMPH 265

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
HE CANNOT, BUT HE DOES! 269

CHAPTER XXXIX.
A SON OF THE NEW SOUTH 276

CHAPTER XL.
SORROW AND GLADNESS 289

TUNING THE LYRE.

In the long ago when the earth was in process of formation, it must have
been that those forces of nature most expert in the fashioning of the
beautiful were ordered to come together as collaborators and give to the
world Almaville!

Journeying toward the designated spot, they halted on the outskirts of
the site of the contemplated city, and tossed up a series of engirdling
hills, whose slopes and crests covered with verdure might afford in the
days to come a beautiful sight to the inhabitants when riding forth to
get a whiff of country air. These same forces of nature, evidently in
love with their work, arranged, it seems, for all the beautiful clouds
with their varying hues to pass in daily review over the head of the
city to be born.

In all that appertains to physical excellence Almaville was made
attractive, and somewhere, perhaps behind yon hills, the forces rested
until man set his foot upon the soil and prepared to build. They so
charged the air and all the environments with the spirit of the
beautiful, that the men who later wrought in building the city found
themselves the surprised and happy creators of a lovely habitation.

On an eminence crowning the center of the area whereon the city is
planted, the State has builded its capitol, and from the tower thereof
one can see the engaging network of streets, contemplate the splendid
architecture of the buildings, and gaze upon the noble trees that boldly
line the sidewalks, and thus testify that they are not afraid of
civilization.

Even in the matter of climate Almaville is highly favored, it would
seem. Her summers are not too hot nor her winters too cold, and many a
fevered brow finds solace in her balmy breezes.

The war gods saw and admired her, and decreed that one of the famous
battles of the Civil War should be fought within her environs, that
their memory might ever be cherished here.

Philanthropy, it seems, singled out Almaville for special attention,