These people have learned a lot in the last few years, and they are learning most of all that the accumulation of wealth is the real secret of dominance.

When they get control of the money, they'll begin to strive after culture, and acquire a smattering of education instead.

It's astonishing, perhaps, but the fact remains that a reputable, hard-working farmer like our friend the miller, with his primitive little last century grist-mill, has probably greater influence in the State to-day than you have, for all your two thousand acres.

He has intelligence enough to go to the Legislature and make a fair showing, if he wants to, and I don't' believe that either of us could stand in the race a minute against him." "Well, he's welcome to the doubtful honour! But the thing that puzzles me is why in thunder his brother Abner should have wanted to shoot my uncle ?" "It seems--" the lawyer hesitated, coughed and glanced nervously at the door as if he feared the intrusion of Kesiah--"it seems he was a lover--was engaged in fact to Janet Merryweather before--before she attracted your uncle's attention.

Later the engagement was broken, and he married a cousin in a fit of temper, it was said at the time.