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8 Patrick Henry Patrick Henry 9

did it all do me? Didn't Sir John Randolph, in
headed straight for the forest, where they would
presenting me with my license, point to his shelves
mingle with those of their kind.
of learning and say 'Young man, what you don't
The huge, bleeding and half drowned man was know about law is in those books.' True, Doxey,
drawn from the sea, and the escort of the young he gave me a license because I was me father's son.
Miss said to him, "Lige Wethersby, I'm paying Now, that is a fine benediction for a budding and
you the price you paid and a fair profit for this slave ambitious young attorney. No, Doxey, the fish in
girl. If you wish to contest such action the courts the stream, the animals of the forests understand
of the Colonies may decide." So the young slave me and the roan. We are not much and they don't
girl became the property of the young Miss, the expect much, so we get along fine." "But, Patrick,
daughter of the Governor of Virginia. dear, oh, I must tell you. You force me to tell you-
father is pressing me. Father is pressing me hard
A few days later Doxey was seen just ~ithin the to marry Lord Lester. And, true, Patrick, it is a
edge of the forests. She called and Patrick and great honor for a tavernkeeper's daughter to be hon-
his roan horse came to her. Much had transpired orably married to a Lord. Lord Lester came to
and Doxey must tell Patrick. But Doxey was a girl, father yesterday and asked him for my hand.
despite her love for Patrick, and like I a girl must Father called me in and told me in his presence.
abuse poor Patrick a bit. And besides Doxey want- Oh, Patrick dear, but it was an awful scene. I told
ed Patrick to reform. How could they marry else? Lord Lester plainly I loved another. Then dear
All the cruel remarks of her father were repeated, old father, oh, Patrick, he flew into an awful rage
but tempered with the love of Doxey's heart. Henry and said he knew who the other was, and, oh, Pat-
said, "Doxey, the last time I was in Jamestown for rick, he said such harsh things about you.· And,
three days and not a drop of wine passed my lips." Patrick dear, don't you know you are breaking my ·
"Patrick, I tell you not a drop did pass your lips." heart? Don't you know that these things are nearly
The laughter of Patrick was his only answer. Pat- all true?"
rick could fib to Doxey, but Patrick could not lie
to Doxey, especially when he was caught. And But little did Doxey know of what her Patrick
was being accused at that very moment. It was
then when they were snuggled close together, when
their hands were clasped in mutual love and affec- far more than his devil-may-care ways. For at this
tion, Doxey pleaded with Patrick to try once more. very moment in the private tap room of the tavern
were some dozen men, all influential men of the
"True> Patrick, when you and William were at the
store, you tried so hard for a time. You studied times, all Tories, loyal subjects of King George IV
law at nights and passed your examination without and some of his Hessian agents. They were there
the help of anyone." "Yes, but, Doxey, what good to discuss the unmistakable tide of rebellion that