I know it, Senator; I feel it as deeply as anybody could.
But we've got to submit--on moral grounds.

I need money, but God knows I am not poor enough or shabby enough to be an accessory to the punishing of a man's ancestor for crimes committed by that ancestor's posterity." "But Colonel!" implored Hawkins; "stop and think; don't be rash; you know it's the only chance we've got to get the money; and besides, the Bible itself says posterity to the fourth generation shall be punished for the sins and crimes committed by ancestors four generations back that hadn't anything to do with them; and so it's only fair to turn the rule around and make it work both ways." The Colonel was struck with the strong logic of this position.

He strode up and down, and thought it painfully over.

Finally he said: "There's reason in it; yes, there's reason in it.

And so, although it seems a piteous thing to sweat this poor ancient devil for a burglary he hadn't the least hand in, still if duty commands I suppose we must give him up to the authorities." "I would," said Hawkins, cheered and relieved, "I'd give him up if he was a thousand ancestors compacted into one." "Lord bless me, that's just what he is," said Sellers, with something like a groan, "it's exactly what he is; there's a contribution in him from every ancestor he ever had.