“It is, and I fully agree with Mr. Hanson, if he is the editor.”
“You of Massachusetts may, but we of Maryland do not,” returned Mr. Hopkins, with some heat; “and Mr. Hanson will find out to his cost that he cannot disseminate such a publication without endangering himself and his property.”
Sure enough, on the following Monday evening a party of indignant citizens destroyed the type, presses, paper, etc., of the Federal Republican, and razed the house to its foundations, following out Mr. Hopkins’s predictions.
“Outrageous!” cried Rhoda, when she heard the reports. “What a lawless set you are here.”
“Almost as much so as you were up in Boston some forty years ago,” retorted her Cousin Joe, lazily, at which Rhoda’s pale blue eyes flashed, and she set her lips defiantly.
“You are talking nonsense!” she said. “That was for our liberty, and this is but the furthering an unnecessary conflict which will ruin the country our fathers so bravely fought for.”
“And for which our fathers will bravely fight again, won’t they, Cousin Joe?” Lettice broke in. “Mine will, I know, although I don’t suppose yours will, Rhoda.”
“Sh! Sh!” cried Mrs. Hopkins. “Don’t quarrel, children. I hoped you two girls would be good friends, but you are forever sparring. You are not very polite, Lettice. You’ll be sending Rhoda home with a poor opinion of Southern hospitality.”
This touched Lettice to the quick. She looked up archly from under her long lashes. “Then I’ll be good, Rhoda,” she said. “Come, we’ll go to market for aunt. I want you to see our Marsh market. Strangers think it is a real pretty one.” And the two girls departed, Lettice with basket on arm, curls dancing, and step light; Rhoda with a deep consciousness of the proprieties, giving not so much as a side glance to the young blades who eyed them admiringly as they passed down Market Street. But Lettice dimpled and smiled as this or that acquaintance doffed his hat, so that presently Rhoda said sarcastically, “It is plain to see why you like to come to market, Lettice.”
“And why?” asked Lettice, opening her eyes.