"After Mother read me that speech o' Mr. Lincoln's at Gettysburg, whenall the people was jest dumb from their feelin's bein' so solemn an'deep; an' some o' his other speeches that was fine, I begun t' go t'town whenever there was t' be any good speakin', even when I had t' walkboth ways."

"Shows your determination, as a starter," said in reply "Scotty"encouragingly. "And were you always repaid for your tramp?"

"Most allers, Mr. Allan. Last Fourth o' July I heerd Judge Tucker tellin his pleasant voice 'at sounds like he likes talkin' t' you all thatVirginia's done fer our country, an' I wished I always was from Virginia too.But mebbe some day I'll make some boy wish he was from Alaska by bein'fine an' smart an' gentle like Judge Tucker."

"Virginia or Alaska, George--it's all the same, so long as you're proud ofyour state, and give your state a chance to be proud of you."

"Yes, ma'am; that's what Mother says. Then I heerd Tom Gaffney recitin'Robert Emmett's last speech, on St. Patrick's day, at Eagle Hall, an' Inear cried at the end; an' I don't cry easy. It takes somethin' prettybad t' make me cry," and he looked furtively toward Baldy.