A FRIENDLY WARNING
The withdrawal of the Southern Senators and Representatives from
Congress produced in Washington the upheaval of a social earthquake.
An atmosphere of tears and ominous foreboding hung pall-like over the
city's social life. Each step in the departure of wives and daughters
was a pang.
Carriages drawn by sleek, high-bred horses dashed through the broad
streets with excited haste. The black coachman on the box held his reins
with a nervous grip that communicated itself to the horses. He had
caught the excitement in the quivering social structure of which he was
part. What he was really thinking down in the depths of his African soul
only God could see. His dark face merely grinned in quick obedience to
command.
From every house where these farewells were being said, a weeping woman
emerged and waved a last adieu to the tear-stained faces at the window.
Wagons and carts lumbered through the streets on their way to the wharf
or station, piled high with baggage.
Hotel-keepers stood in the doorway of their establishments with darkened
brows. The glory of the past was departing. The future was a blank.
On the morning after his farewell address to the Senate, a messenger,
who refused to give his name, was ushered into the library of Senator
Davis.
The stately black butler bowed again with quiet dignity.
"Yo' name, sah? I--failed to catch it?"
The messenger lifted his hand:
"No name. Please say to the Senator that I came from an important
official with a message of the gravest importance--I wish to see him
alone at once--"
The faithful servant eyed his visitor with an ominous look. There was no
question of his loyalty to the man he served.
"It's all right, Robert, I'm a friend of Senator Davis."
A moment's hesitation and the black man bowed with deference.
"Yassah--yassah--I tell him right away, sah. You sho' knows me anyhow,
sah--"
The Senator was in bed suffering again from facial neuralgia. He rose
promptly, dressed hastily but completely and carefully and extended both
hands to his visitor.
"You have come to see me at an unusual hour, sir. It must be
important--"
"Of the utmost importance, Senator. A high official in the confidence of
the President sent me to inform you that Stanton, the Attorney General,
is planning to issue a warrant for your arrest for high treason."
"Indeed?"
"You are advised to leave Washington on the first train."
A dry smile flickered about the corners of the Senator's strong mouth.
"Thank you. Please say to my friend that I appreciate the spirit that
prompted his message. Ask him to say to Mr. Stanton that I have decided
to remain in Washington a week. Nothing would please me better than to
submit this issue to the courts for adjustment. He will find me at home
every day and at all hours."