for granted that commercial enterprise, as illustrated in Squire
Edwards' store, was entirely subservient to the maintenance of the
proprietor's personal dignity. He now addressed Dr. Partridge:

"Said your brother anything of the report that the Tories and British
emissaries are stirring up the popular discontent, to the end that
reproach may be brought on the new government of the States, by
revealing its weakness as compared with the King's?"

"Nay, of that he spoke not."

"For my part, I do fully believe it," resumed Edwards, "and, moreover,
that this is but a branch of the British policy, looking toward the
speedy reconquering of these States. It is to this end, also, that
they are aiming to weaken us by drawing all the money out of the
country, whereby, meanwhile, the present scarcity is caused."

"Methinks, good sir," replied the doctor, "the great expense of the
war, and the public and private debts made thereby, with the
consequential taxes and suits at law, do fully explain the lamentable
state of the country, and the disquiet of the people, though it may be
that the King has also designs against us."

"Nay," said the parson, in tones of gentle reproof, "these all be
carnal reasons, whereby if we seek to explain the judgments of God, we
do fail of the spiritual profiting we might find therein. For no doubt
these present calamities are God's judgment upon this people for its
sins, seeing it is well known that the bloody and cruel war now over,
hath brought in upon us all manner of new and strange sins, even as if
God would have us advertised how easily that liberty which we have