At the center of the portico floor, under this clock, a
brass plate marks the spot where Jefferson Davis stood when he delivered
his inaugural address, February 18, 1861, and in the State Senate
Chamber, within--a fine simple room with a gallery of peculiar
grace--the Provisional Government of the Confederacy was organized. The
flag of the Confederacy was, I believe, adopted in this room, and was
first flung to the breeze from the Capitol building.
It was past three in the afternoon when we left the State House, and we
had had no luncheon.
"Now," said my companion as we returned to the automobile, "I think we
had better have something to eat, and then go to the fair."
"But you were going to give up the fair," put in the secretary.
"Oh, no," we said in chorus.
"I have arranged about luncheon," he returned. "We will have it served
at the hotel in a short time. But first there are some important sights
I wish you to see."
"Man shall not live by sights alone," objected my companion. "What are
you going to show us?"
"We have a beautiful woman's college."
"That," said my companion, "is the one thing that could tempt me. How
many beautiful women are there?"
"It's not the women--it's the building," the secretary explained.
"Then," said my companion firmly, "I think we'd better go and have our
lunch.
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