John. "Was Crosby a whig?"
Gen. P. "Yes; no man could be more devoted to the liberty of his country."
William. "Whence were the names whig and tory derived?"
Gen. P. "Do you wish to know the original meaning of the words, my son?"
William. "Yes, sir."
Gen. P. "The word tory, the learned Webster says, was derived from the Irish, in which language it signifies a robber. Tory, in that language, means a bush; and hence tory, a robber, or bushman; because robbers often secrete themselves in the bushes. The meaning of the word whig, I am unable to tell you. Its origin is uncertain. It was applied, as I told you, to those who fought for the liberty of America."
William. "If the word tory means a robber, it was very properly applied to those, who wished to rob the people of America of their rights—don't you think so, father?"
Gen. P. "Exactly so, William—a very just remark."
John. "Father! I thought you was going to tell about Enoch Crosby?—"
Gen. P. "True, master John, we will begin."