forward with such anxiety, are rather crude, you are, in the main,
correct in your conjectures as to our intentions. Secession is a
fixed fact. You know it has often been discussed by our leading
men, and the election of Mr. Lincoln has only served to
precipitate our action. Had he been defeated, it might have been
put off four years longer; but it would be certain to come then.
For years the heaven-sanctioned institution of slavery has been
subjected to all the attacks that the fiendish imaginations of the
Yankee abolitionists could suggest, and we are determined to bear
with them no longer. We intend to establish a confederacy of our
own, whose corner-stone shall be slavery.

I wish you to come home immediately, as I have secured you a first
lieutenant's commission in a cavalry company, which is to be
mustered into my regiment. Your brothers have already accepted
theirs, and are drilling their companies twice every week. Of
course, we do not expect a war, for we have kept the cowardly
Yankees under our thumbs so long that they will not dare to oppose
us. However, we consider it best to be on the safe side.

Inclosed I send you a check for two hundred dollars, which, I
think, will be sufficient to pay all your bills, and to defray
your expenses home.

Your mother and sisters send their love.

Hoping to see you soon, and to join hands with you in destroying
every vestige of the old Union, I remain,

Yours, affectionately, EDWARD LE DELL.

While Frank was reading this letter, George had sat with his face
buried in his hands, not once moving or giving a sign of life: but,
as soon as the letter was finished, he raised his pale face, and
inquired, in a husky voice:

"What do you think of that? It does not seem possible that a father,
who had the least spark of affection for his son, could advise him to
follow such a course, does it? Turn the letter over, and you will see
a copy of my answer written on the back."

It ran as follows:

YALE COLLEGE, _March_ 20, 1861.

MY DEAR FATHER:

You can not imagine with what feelings of astonishment and sorrow
I read your letter of the 12th ult., which was received nearly
three weeks since. The reason for my delay in replying you can
easily divine. Has it, then, come to this? Is it possible that, in
order to do my duty to my country, I must be willi