FOUNDER OF HIS RACE 129 



expression, and morose, this lad was destined to rise to 

 prominence, the like of which could not be foreseen in 

 one without influence, the son of a poor, hard working 

 widow. This lame boy was none other than young 

 Thaddeus Stevens, who, by industry and perseverance, 

 gained his book-learning in Burlington and later gradu- 

 ated at Dartmouth College. 



Burlington was now a very different place from the 

 logging camp Morgan first remembered. The old 

 wharf, made of a few logs fastened together, at the foot 

 of King's Street, had given way to a fine new one; 

 houses had taken the place of camps and were scattered 

 as far as the Winooski. 



The College on the Hill, commanding the lake, gave 

 distinction to the town, seeming to crown it with a cap 

 of learning; Ira Allen's iron foundries, mills and forges 

 gave work to many, and linen, woolen and cotton mills 

 had been built ; an immense quantity of liquor was dis- 

 tilled. It was a busy and prosperous town, having 

 grown greatly in importance since Ira Allen launched 

 his first schooner, "Liberty/' a long while before. 



One day Stone brought to the stable an army officer. 

 The military hat was set well upon the handsome head 

 of the stranger, a cloak was flung with careless grace 

 about his shoulder ; spurs shone on his heels and a sword 

 clanked, musically, at his side. 



Intuitively, Morgan liked this man. It was easy to see 

 he was a fine, brave American soldier, with a cool and 

 level head. His uniform was grand and inspiring to the 

 horse, who still looked upon soldiers and the idea of war 

 with quivering anticipation. 



"So this is the horse, eh?" the officer asked Stone, and 

 Morgan knew by his soft tone and speech that he came 

 from the same state as Mistress Lloyd — there was no 

 mistaking a Marylander ! As the stranger caught the 



