Produced by Suzanne Shell, S.R. Ellison and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team.
Sutton E. Griggs
1899
Berl Trout's Declaration 1
I A Small Beginning 3
II The School 8
III The Parson's Advice 15
IV The Turning of a Worm 24
V Belton Finds a Friend 38
VI A Young Rebel 48
VII A Sermon, a Sock, And a Fight 64
VIII Many Mysteries Cleared Up 83
IX Love and Politics 95
X Cupid Again at Work 111
XI No Befitting Name 125
XII On the Dissecting Board 139
XIII Married and yet not Married 161
XIV " " " " " (Continued) 171
XV Weighty Matters 177
XVI Unwritten History 188
XVII Crossing the Rubicon 200
XVIII The Storm's Master 223
XIX The Parting of Ways 249
XX Personal (Berl Trout) 262
The papers which are herewith submitted to you for your perusal andconsideration, were delivered into my hands by Mr. Berl Trout.
The papers will speak for themselves, but Mr. Trout now being dead Ifeel called upon to say a word concerning him.
Mr. Berl Trout was Secretary of State in the Imperium In Imperio, fromthe day of its organization until the hour of his sad death. He was,therefore, thoroughly conversant with all of the details of that greatorganization.
He was a warm personal friend of both Bernard and Belton, and learnedfrom their own lips the stories of their eventful lives.
Mr. Trout was a man noted for his strict veracity and for the absolutecontrol that his conscience exercised over him.
Though unacquainted with the Imperium In Imperio I was well acquaintedwith Berl, as we fondly called him. I will vouch for his truthfulnessanywhere.
Having perfect faith in the truthfulness of his narrative I have nothesitated to fulfil his dying request by editing his Ms., and givingit to the public. There are other documents in my possession tendingto confirm the assertions made in his narrative. These documentswere given me by Mr. Trout, so that, in case an attempt is made topronounce him a liar, I might defend his name by coming forward withindisputable proofs of every important statement.
Very respectfully,
Sutton E. Griggs,
March 1, 1899. Berkley, Va.
I am a traitor. I have violated an oath that was as solemn and binding as any ever taken by man on earth.
I have trampled under my feet the sacred trust of a loving people, and have betrayed secrets which were dearer to them than life itself.