ehind him. 'Father,' said he, scarcely waiting
until the sentence that General Washington was uttering, was finished,
'what do you think? Uncle Jack and I shot a duck in the head!' He deserved
a reproof for his forwardness; but Washington joined the rest in a laugh,
no doubt amused at the estimation in which the youth held himself and Uncle
Jack. The two together, killed a duck, and the boy was boasting of it in
the presence of the greatest man the world ever produced. The poor fellow
left the room, and for a time his sporting talents were joked about more
than he liked."

After the ladies retired, Mr. Selden proposed the health of the amiable
George Washington.

"Good heavens! sir," said Mr. Chapman, the veins in his temples swelling,
and his whole frame glowing with vexation, "what is that you say? Did ever
any one hear of a soldier being amiable? No, sir, I will give you a toast
that was drank just before the death of the greatest and best of men. I
picked up an old newspaper, and laid it aside in my secretary. In it I read
a toast worth giving. Fill high, gentlemen--'The man who forgets the
services of George Washington, may he be forgotten by his country and his
God.'"

Mr. Selden, who possessed in a remarkable degree the amiableness that he
had ascribed to another, swallowed the wine and approved the toast. Mr.
Chapman was some time recovering his composure.

"You intend to leave Virginia very soon, Mr. Lee," said Mr. Kent,
addressing Walter.

"Very soon, sir," Walter replied.

"Where shall you go first?" asked Mr. Kent.

"I have not decided on any course of travel," said Walter. "I shall,
perhaps, wander toward Germany."

"We will drink your health, then," said Mr. Weston. "A pleasant tour,
Walter, and a safe return."

* * * * *

"You are from Connecticut, I believe, Mr. Perkins?" said Mr. Barbour, "but
as you are not an Abolitionist, I suppose it will not be uncourteous to
discuss the subject before you. I have in my memorandum book a copy of a
law of your State, which was in existence at one time, and which refers to
what we have been conversing about. It supports the Fugitive Slave Law, in
prospect. At that time you New Englanders held not only negro, but Indian
slaves. Let me read this, gentleman. 'Be it enacted by the Governor,
Council, and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the
authority of the same, that whatsoever negro, mulatto, or Indian servan