extended the paper to the Queen. She put forth her hand, took it, and gave it to the King. He held it for a moment and then passed it to the Marquis de Ségur, the Minister of War, who 5 gravely put it in his pocket.

The whispering had stopped among the titled crowd; every one wore a look of amazement. Laurens arose, bowed again as if unaware that his action had caused the least flutter, and then joined 10 the foreign ministers. As soon as the ceremony was over the minister with his secretary drove back to his inn in Paris. As they went through Passy, where Franklin lived, Major Jackson broke the silence.

15 "Do you not think," he asked, "that we had better stop at Dr. Franklin's house and inform him of the success of your endeavors?"

"No," returned Laurens, gravely; "I wish to see no one until I learn the results of this day's 20 proceedings."

Changing his brilliant uniform for the modest habit of the citizen, he went out for a walk in the streets, and did not return until late at night.

The next morning Jackson and he were at 25 breakfast when a note was handed them. Out in the hall a liveried lackey was waiting for an

answer. Without a sign of excitement Laurens broke the seal, and then with a triumphant smile tossed the note across the table to his friend.

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Jackson," he said, "we have cut the Gordian knot. If we were alone, I might give a cheer that 5 could be heard across the Channel."

The secretary eagerly read the note. It ran as follows: "M. Necker presents his compliments to Colonel Laurens, and requests the honor of an interview at twelve o'clock."

"Here is something indeed," went on the young minister, with pleasure in his voice. "Come, let us dress and pay our respects to Madame Necker.”

10

The lackey disappeared with the answer, and an hour later Colonel Laurens and Major Jackson 15 were announced in the drawing-room of M. Necker, at that time Director General of Finance, and one of the most important figures in French politics. There were several ladies present, and among them one soon destined to be world renowned,-Madame 20 de Staël. She was then a little girl but thirteen years of age. After some minutes of light conver

sation M. Necker called Colonel Laurens to one side. He had an odd expression on his face, admiration and interest were mingled; but Colonel 25 Laurens was grave.

"Monsieur," said the French minister, “I have the honor to inform you, by instructions from his Majesty, that the loan which you solicit in your memorial of yesterday is accorded. The fifteen 5 hundred thousand livres which you request may be sent to Major Jackson at Amsterdam, for the purchase of military stores, will be forwarded from Brussels; and any other accommodation connected with my department will be cheerfully granted." 10 "This gives me most sincere gratification and deep pleasure," was Colonel Laurens's reply. "My profound thanks to his Majesty and to you for your kind offices."

When the two young men were alone in the 15 street they grasped each other by the hand. "This day," said Laurens, "is the greatest in my life; and I thank God who is watching over our beloved country."

The next day the favor of an interview was 20 requested by the Maréchal de Castries, who, after congratulating Laurens on the success of his mission, added: "I am directed by his Majesty to inform you that the Count de Grasse, who is now at Brest with twenty-five ships of the line, bound 25 to the West Indies, will, conformably to the request your memorial of yesterday, rendezvous on the

of

American coast at the time that General Washington shall point out. The howitzers that you want cannot be furnished from the marine arsenal, as we have none of that caliber, but Major Jackson will be able to procure them in Holland. The frigate 5 Resolute will carry you to America, with such part of the money as you wish to take with you. Any other facility within my department will be accorded."

Laurens soon left French soil. His work was 10 done. It was a happy ending of the most important mission that America ever sent to a European court, and yet the hero who achieved this signal success is almost unknown to the casual reader of American history.

Abridged

15

undeterred: unhindered. juncture point of time. - Temple : an old building in London used by lawyers. — Lexington: one of the earliest battles of the Revolution. - demurred: objected or hesitated. credentials: papers showing that one is acting with authority. reciprocal: mutual. — frivolity: lack of earnestness. — prolific: plentiful. — etiquette: rules and forms of good behavior. rotund: well-rounded. jeopard endanger. - panniered dresses dresses expanded by a frame of bone or steel. innovation: something new. — lackey: servant. - Gordian knot: the difficult knot that Alexander the Great cut with his sword. rendezvous: assemble or meet at a particular place.

CHARACTER OF STONEWALL JACKSON

G. F. R. HENDERSON

COLONEL HENDERSON is a distinguished English army officer and military critic. His Life of General T. J. Jackson and The Campaign of Fredericksburg are careful studies in military history and strategy.

5 Not only with the army, but with the people of the South, Jackson's influence while he lived was very great. From him thousands and tens of thousands of Confederate soldiers learned the self-denial which is the root of all religion, the self-control which is 10 the root of all manliness. Beyond the confines of the camps he was personally unknown. In the social and political circles of Richmond his figure was unfamiliar. When his body lay in state the majority of those who passed through the Hall of 15 Representatives looked upon his features for the first time. He had never been called to council by the President, and the members of the Legislature, with but few exceptions, had no acquaintances with the men who acted while they deliberated. 20 But his fame had spread far and wide, not merely the fame of his victories, but of his Christian character. The rare union of strength and simplicity, of childlike faith and the most fiery energy,