al caught John's arm--"Wait, I want to see you."

"I'll be back in a minute, General."

"My boy, the grave's full of nice fellows going to be back in a minute.
Son John, there's only one thing I'm thoroughly ashamed of you for----"

"I can see you half a dozen better, General; let me go."

"You've no need to go; Proudfit's coming right back; he's only gone for
his horse. There's plenty of time to hear the little I've got to say.
John March, I'm ashamed of this reputation you've got for being quick on
the trigger. O, you're much admired for it--by both sexes! Ye gods!
John, isn't it pitiful to see a fellow like you not able to keep a
kindly contempt for the opinion of fools! My dear boy--my dear boy!
you'll never be worth powder enough to blow you to the devil till you've
learned to let the sun go down on your wrath!"

John smiled and dropped his eyes, and the General, with an imperative
gesture detaining some one at the young man's back, spoke on. "John, the
old year's dying. For God's sake let it die in peace. Yes, and for your
own sake, and for the sake of us old murderers of the years long dead,
let as many old things as will die with it. I don't say bury anything
alive--that's not my prescription; but ease their righteous death and
give them a grave they'll stay in."

"General, all right! the Colonel may go for the present, but I'll tell
you now, and I'll soon show him, that whatever the laws of my State give
me leave to do I'll do if I choose, even if it's to help black men do
what white men say shan't be done." John reached behind him for the
latch.

His mentor smiled queerly. "Yes, even if it's to float a scheme drawing
twice as much water as we've got on our political sandbar. Ah! John
March, don't you know that the law's permission is never enough? Better
get all the permissions you can, and turn your 'I' into the most
multitudinous 'we' you can possibly make it. Seven legislatures can't
dig you too much channel."

March's reply was cut short by a voice behind him, which said:

"You can have the _Courier's_ permission."

As John wheeled about, Jeff-Jack came a step forward and Barbara Garnet
shrank against a window.

"Well, Miss Garnet," laughed March, as Ravenel conversed with Halliday,
"I _was_ absorbed, wa'n't I? You and Miss Fannie going to watch the old
year out and the new year in to-night?"

"No, sir, we're only going to the revival meeting," replied Barbara,
with mellow gravity. "All bad p