. The Century book of famous Americans : the story of a young people's pilgrimage to historic homes . d, Uncle Tom ! Here s justthe spot to give us Jeffersons story. It must be condensed into briefspace, then, said Uncle Tom ; for weshall need to start on our return ridespeedily. So Uncle Tom sketched rapidly forthem the outline of Thomas Jeffersonscareer. He told them of the youngVirginians boyhood and youth, intowhich, though earnest and painstak-ing, the boy managed to get a gooddeal of fun and out-of-door life, andlearned to love the woods, the fields,and the farm; he told them how Jeffer-
. The Century book of famous Americans : the story of a young people's pilgrimage to historic homes . d, Uncle Tom ! Here s justthe spot to give us Jeffersons story. It must be condensed into briefspace, then, said Uncle Tom ; for weshall need to start on our return ridespeedily. So Uncle Tom sketched rapidly forthem the outline of Thomas Jeffersonscareer. He told them of the youngVirginians boyhood and youth, intowhich, though earnest and painstak-ing, the boy managed to get a gooddeal of fun and out-of-door life, andlearned to love the woods, the fields,and the farm; he told them how Jeffer-son gained success as a young lawyer,and at last ventured into public life;how, at twenty-six, he became a mem-ber of the Virginia House of Burgesses ;and how, when he went into politics, hewas both prudent and honest, and madea vow never to be drawn into speculation THK MAIX stairway at jobs, or be anything but just a farmer; and, through fifty years ofpublic life, Uncle Tom assured them, Jefferson kept his vow. Then, politicians did speculate and make money out of their opportuni-. 126 THE CENTURY BOOK OF FAMOUS AMERICANS ties in Jeffersons time, eh? queried Jack. Why, I thought these werethe degenerate days, and that every one was angelic in the good old times. My dear Jack, said Uncle Tom, there is not a phase of public dishon-esty or political intrigue to-day but had its parallel in what are wronglycalled the good old days. You know my theory ; we are an improvementon our ancestors in every way — morally, physically, and intellectually. Hear, hear, hear ! cried Jack. Oh, Uncle Tom ! exclaimed Christine. Is that so ? Better thanWashington ? Dont hold me to individual cases, my dear, said Uncle Tom. Ispeak collectively. The world progresses in everything that works for spite of all the unpleasantnesses we daily see, in spite of all the hardthings we hear, we are better than the folks of those so-called good olddavs. In the story of the past it is the
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