"He is but an indifferent reader of history who does not see the hand of Almighty God displayed upon the side of Liberty and Union throughout all this tremendous war. Even so great a man as W.E. Gladstone, the 'Grand Old Man' of England, said that the eighteen millions of the North could not subdue the eleven millions of the South. But he did not know that the edict had gone forth from the court of Heaven that these who arrogantly held the height of the hill must come down from thence. And so we fought and won this grandest battle of the war—and perhaps of the world."
Here the Doctor paused and looked around upon his audience. He had worked himself into a fine glow as these splendid reminiscences passed before his mind. To his horror he found his hearers fast asleep, except the Professor, and his eyes were winking and blinking suspiciously.
"Well, if you are not an interested lot of fellows!" cried Dr. Jones.
Fred roused at this juncture and said:
"Go on, Doctor. That is the most thrilling story I ever heard."
"Do you really think so?" asked the Doctor very sarcastically.
"O yes! Doctor, I assure you that I heard every word of it."
"And what was I just talking about?"
"Um—ah—O yes, I remember. It was where the two deserters were sitting on their coffins and were just about to be shot. I want to hear that out," and Fred looked the picture of anxiety and interestedness.
"Do you, though!" snorted Dr. Jones. "If I served you right, I would drop you through the manhole, just to wake you up."