Ben Cameron and his father hurried Southward to a home and land passing under a cloud darker than the dust and smoke of blood-soaked battlefields—the Black Plague of Reconstruction2.
For two weeks the old Commoner wrestled3 in silence with Death. When at last he spoke4, it was to the stalwart negroes who had called to see him and were standing5 by his bedside.
Turning his deep-sunken eyes on them a moment, he said slowly:
“I wonder whom I’ll get to carry me when you boys die!”
Elsie hurried to his side and kissed him tenderly. For a week his mind hovered6 in the twilight7 that lies between time and eternity8. He seemed to forget the passions and fury of his fierce career and live over the memories of his youth, recalling pathetically its bitter poverty and its fair dreams. He would lie for hours and hold Elsie’s hand, pressing it gently. 180
In one of his lucid9 moments he said:
“How beautiful you are, my child! You shall be a queen. I’ve dreamed of boundless10 wealth for you and my boy. My plans are Napoleonic—and I shall not fail—never fear—aye, beyond the dreams of avarice11!”
“I wish no wealth save the heart treasure of those I love, father,” was the soft answer.
“Of course, little day-dreamer. But the old cynic who has outlived himself and knows the mockery of time and things will be wisdom for your foolishness. You shall keep your toys. What pleases you shall please me. Yet I will be wise for us both.”
She laid her hand upon his lips, and he kissed the warm little fingers.
In these days of soul-nearness the iron heart softened12 as never before in love toward his children. Phil had hurried home from the West and secured his release from the remaining weeks of his term of service.
As the father lay watching them move about the room, the cold light in his deep-set wonderful eyes would melt into a soft glow.
As he grew stronger, the old fierce spirit of the unconquered leader began to assert itself. He would take up the fight where he left it off and carry it to victory.
Elsie and Phil sent the doctor to tell him the truth and beg him to quit politics.
“Your work is done; you have but three months to live unless you go South and find new life,” was the verdict.
“In either event I go to a warmer climate, eh, doctor?” said the cynic. 181
“Perhaps,” was the laughing reply.
“Good. It suits me better. I’ve had the move in mind. I can do more effective work in the South for the next two years. Your decision is fate. I’ll go at once.”
The doctor was taken aback.
“Come now,” he said persuasively13. “Let a disinterested14 Englishman give you some advice. You’ve never taken any before. I give it as medicine, and I won’t put it on your bill. Slow down on politics. Your recent defeat should teach you a lesson in conservatism.”
The old Commoner’s powerful mouth became rigid15, and the lower lip bulged16:
“Conservatism—fossil putrefaction17!”
“But defeat?”
“Defeat?” cried the old man. “Who said I was defeated? The South lies in ashes at my feet—the very names of her proud States blotted18 from history. The Supreme19 Court awaits my nod. True, there’s a man boarding in the White House, and I vote to pay his bills; but the page who answers my beck and call has more power. Every measure on which I’ve set my heart is law, save one—my Confiscation20 Act—and this but waits the fulness of time.”
The doctor, who was walking back and forth21 with his hands folded behind him, paused and said:
“I marvel22 that a man of your personal integrity could conceive such a measure; you, who refused to accept the legal release of your debts until the last farthing was paid—you, whose cruelty of the lip is hideous24, and yet beneath it so gentle a personality, I’ve seen the pages in 182 the House stand at your back and mimic25 you while speaking, secure in the smile with which you turned to greet their fun. And yet you press this crime upon a brave and generous foe27?”
“A wrong can have no rights,” said Stoneman calmly. “Slavery will not be dead until the landed aristocracy on which it rested is destroyed. I am not cruel or unjust. I am but fulfilling the largest vision of universal democracy that ever stirred the soul of man—a democracy that shall know neither rich nor poor, bond nor free, white nor black. If I use the wild pulse-beat of the rage of millions, it is only a means to an end—this grander vision of the soul.”
“Then why not begin at home this vision, and give the stricken South a moment to rise?”
“No. The North is impervious28 to change, rich, proud, and unscathed by war. The South is in chaos29 and cannot resist. It is but the justice and wisdom of Heaven that the negro shall rule the land of his bondage30. It is the only solution of the race problem. Lincoln’s contention31 that we could not live half white and half black is sound at the core. When we proclaim equality, social, political, and economic for the negro, we mean always to enforce it in the South. The negro will never be treated as an equal in the North. We are simply a set of cold-blooded liars32 on that subject, and always have been. To the Yankee the very physical touch of a negro is pollution.”
“Then you don’t believe this twaddle about equality?” asked the doctor. 183
“Yes and no. Mankind in the large is a herd33 of mercenary gudgeons or fools. As a lawyer in Pennsylvania I have defended fifty murderers on trial for their lives. Forty-nine of them were guilty. All these I succeeded in acquitting34. One of them was innocent. This one they hung. Can a man keep his face straight in such a world? Could negro blood degrade such stock? Might not an ape improve it? I preach equality as a poet and seer who sees a vision beyond the rim26 of the horizon of to-day.”
The old man’s eyes shone with the set stare of a fanatic35.
“And you think the South is ready for this wild vision?”
“Not ready, but helpless to resist. As a cold-blooded, scientific experiment, I mean to give the Black Man one turn at the Wheel of Life. It is an act of just retribution. Besides, in my plans I need his vote; and that settles it.”
“But will your plans work? Your own reports show serious trouble in the South already.”
Stoneman laughed.
“I never read my own reports. They are printed in molasses to catch flies. The Southern legislatures played into my hands by copying the laws of New England relating to Servants, Masters, Apprentices36, and Vagrants37. But even these were repealed38 at the first breath of criticism. Neither the Freedman’s Bureau nor the army has ever loosed its grip on the throat of the South for a moment. These disturbances39 and ‘atrocities’ are dangerous only when printed on campaign fly-paper.”
“And how will you master and control these ten great Southern States?” 184
“Through my Reconstruction Acts by means of the union League. As a secret between us, I am the soul of this order. I organized it in 1863 to secure my plan of confiscation. We pressed it on Lincoln. He repudiated40 it. We nominated Frémont at Cleveland against Lincoln in ’64, and tried to split the party or force Lincoln to retire. Frémont, a conceited41 ass1, went back on this plank42 in our platform, and we dropped him and helped elect Lincoln again.”
“I thought the union League a patriotic43 and social organization?” said the doctor in surprise.
“It has these features, but its sole aim as a secret order is to confiscate44 the property of the South. I will perfect this mighty45 organization until every negro stands drilled in serried46 line beneath its banners, send a solid delegation47 here to do my bidding, and return at the end of two years with a majority so overwhelming that my word will be law. I will pass my Confiscation Bill. If Ulysses S. Grant, the coming idol48, falters49, my second bill of Impeachment50 will only need the change of a name.”
The doctor shook his head.
“Give up this madness. Your life is hanging by a thread. The Southern people even in their despair will never drink this black broth51 you are pressing to their lips.”
“They’ve got to drink it.”
“Your decision is unalterable?”
“Absolutely. It’s the breath I breathe. As my physician you may select the place to which I shall be banished52. It must be reached by rail and wire. I care not 185 its name or size. I’ll make it the capital of the Nation. There’ll be poetic53 justice in setting up my establishment in a fallen slaveholder’s mansion54.”
The doctor looked intently at the old man:
“The study of men has become a sort of passion with me, but you are the deepest mystery I’ve yet encountered in this land of surprises.”
“And why?” asked the cynic.
“Because the secret of personality resides in motives55, and I can’t find yours either in your actions or words.”
Stoneman glanced at him sharply from beneath his wrinkled brows and snapped.
“Keep on guessing.”
“I will. In the meantime I’m going to send you to the village of Piedmont, South Carolina. Your son and daughter both seem enthusiastic over this spot.”
“Good; that settles it. And now that mine own have been conspiring56 against me,” said Stoneman confidentially57, “a little guile58 on my part. Not a word of what has passed between us to my children. Tell them I agree with your plans and give up my work. I’ll give the same story to the press—I wish nothing to mar23 their happiness while in the South. My secret burdens need not cloud their young lives.”
Dr. Barnes took the old man by the hand:
“I promise. My assistant has agreed to go with you. I’ll say good-bye. It’s an inspiration to look into a face like yours, lit by the splendour of an unconquerable will! But I want to say something to you before you set out on this journey.” 186
“Out with it,” said the Commoner.
“The breed to which the Southern white man belongs has conquered every foot of soil on this earth their feet have pressed for a thousand years. A handful of them hold in subjection three hundred millions in India. Place a dozen of them in the heart of Africa, and they will rule the continent unless you kill them——”
“Wait,” cried Stoneman, “until I put a ballot59 in the hand of every negro and a bayonet at the breast of every white man from the James to the Rio Grande!”
“I’ll tell you a little story,” said the doctor with a smile. “I once had a half-grown eagle in a cage in my yard. The door was left open one day, and a meddlesome60 rooster hopped61 in to pick a fight. The eagle had been sick a week and seemed an easy mark. I watched. The rooster jumped and wheeled and spurred and picked pieces out of his topknot. The young eagle didn’t know at first what he meant. He walked around dazed, with a hurt expression. When at last it dawned on him what the chicken was about, he simply reached out one claw, took the rooster by the neck, planted the other claw in his breast, and snatched his head off.”
The old man snapped his massive jaws62 together and grunted63 contemptuously.
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1
ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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reconstruction
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| n.重建，再现，复原 | |
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wrestled
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| v.（与某人）搏斗( wrestle的过去式和过去分词 )；扭成一团；扭打；（与…）摔跤 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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lucid
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| adj.明白易懂的，清晰的，头脑清楚的 | |
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boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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12
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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13
persuasively
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| adv.口才好地；令人信服地 | |
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14
disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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bulged
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| 凸出( bulge的过去式和过去分词 )； 充满； 塞满（某物） | |
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putrefaction
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| n.腐坏，腐败 | |
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18
blotted
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| 涂污( blot的过去式和过去分词 )； （用吸墨纸）吸干 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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confiscation
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| n. 没收, 充公, 征收 | |
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21
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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23
mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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24
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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mimic
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| v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人 | |
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rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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27
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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impervious
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| adj.不能渗透的，不能穿过的，不易伤害的 | |
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chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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bondage
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| n.奴役，束缚 | |
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contention
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| n.争论，争辩，论战；论点，主张 | |
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32
liars
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| 说谎者( liar的名词复数 ) | |
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33
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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acquitting
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的现在分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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fanatic
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| n.狂热者，入迷者；adj.狂热入迷的 | |
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apprentices
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| 学徒，徒弟( apprentice的名词复数 ) | |
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vagrants
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| 流浪者( vagrant的名词复数 )； 无业游民； 乞丐； 无赖 | |
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38
repealed
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| 撤销，废除( repeal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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disturbances
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| n.骚乱( disturbance的名词复数 )；打扰；困扰；障碍 | |
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40
repudiated
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| v.（正式地）否认( repudiate的过去式和过去分词 )；拒绝接受；拒绝与…往来；拒不履行（法律义务） | |
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41
conceited
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| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
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42
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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44
confiscate
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| v.没收(私人财产)，把…充公 | |
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45
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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serried
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| adj.拥挤的；密集的 | |
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delegation
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| n.代表团；派遣 | |
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48
idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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49
falters
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的第三人称单数 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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50
impeachment
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| n.弹劾；控告；怀疑 | |
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51
broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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52
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
poetic
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| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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54
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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55
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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56
conspiring
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| 密谋( conspire的现在分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
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57
confidentially
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| ad.秘密地，悄悄地 | |
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58
guile
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| n.诈术 | |
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59
ballot
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| n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票 | |
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60
meddlesome
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| adj.爱管闲事的 | |
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61
hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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62
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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63
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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