He would try for a position in the Department of State. His supposed experience in the Diplomatic Service and his mastery of two languages besides the English would be in his favor. The struggle for recognition from the powers of Europe was the card he could play. Once placed in the Department of State he would make the acquaintance of every clerk and subordinate who possessed3 a secret of the slightest value to his cause.
He wished to enter the Department of State for another reason. He had learned from absolutely reliable sources that Judah P. Benjamin, the present Secretary of War, was slated4 for Secretary of State in the new Cabinet which would be named when Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as permanent President. He knew Benjamin to be the ablest man in the Cabinet, the one man on whose judgment5 Davis leaned with greatest confidence. It would be of immense value to his cause to be in daily touch with this man.
Fortunately he had mastered shorthand the last year of his stay in Washington. This accomplishment6, rare in the South, would be an additional argument with which to secure his appointment.
Jennie had promised to accompany him to the office of the President and add her voice to his plea. She had quite won the heart of the badgered chieftain of the Confederacy by her steady loyalty7 to his administration. The malignant8 opposition9 of Senator Barton was notorious. This opposition at the moment had become peculiarly vindictive10 and embarrassing. The fall of Fort Donelson and the loss of Nashville had precipitated11 a storm of hostile criticism. The fierce junta12 of malcontents in the Confederate Congress were eager to seize on any excuse to attack the President. They were now demanding the removal of Albert Sidney Johnston from his command. Davis knew that his commanding general in Tennessee was the greatest soldier of his time—and that all he needed was a single opportunity to demonstrate his genius. He refused with scorn to sacrifice such a man to public clamor. At the White House reception the night before he had heard Jennie Barton stoutly13 defending him against his accusers who demanded the head of General Johnston.
He had passed her later in the evening, pressed her hand and whispered:
"If our men were only as loyal! Ask anything you will of me—to the half of my kingdom."
Jennie wished to put this impulsive14 promise to the test. She would see that Socola secured his appointment. This brilliant young recruit for the South was her gift to her country and she was proud of him. It had all come about too quickly for her to analyze15 her feelings. She only realized that she felt a sense of tender proprietary16 interest in him. That he could render valuable service she did not doubt for a moment.
She had told him to meet her at the statue of Washington in the Capitol Square. They would wait there for the appearance of the President and follow him. His habits were simple and democratic. He walked daily from the Confederate White House to the Capitol grounds, crossed the Square and at the foot of the hill entered his office in the Custom House on Main Street, unaccompanied by an escort of any kind.
Anybody on earth could approach and speak to him. The humbler the man or woman, the easier the approach was always made.
Socola was waiting at the big group of statuary contemplating17 the lines of its fine workmanship with curious interest.
Jennie startled him from a reverie:
"You like him?"
The white teeth gleamed in pleasant surprise.
"The father of his country?—Yes—I like him. It's going to be my country, too, you know."
They strolled through the grounds and watched the squirrels leap from the limbs of a great tree to the swaying boughs18 of the next.
A tall awkward trooper on whose hat was the sign of a North Carolina regiment19 toiled20 painfully up the hill slightly under the influence of whisky. Socola saw that he was navigating21 the steep with difficulty and turned into a by-path to give him a free passage. It was never pleasant to meet a man under the influence of liquor in the presence of ladies.
They had taken but a few steps along the little path when the quick firm military tread of the President was heard.
They turned just in time to see him encounter the toiling22 trooper from North Carolina.
The soldier's jaw23 suddenly dropped and his eyes kindled24 with joy. He stood squarely in the President's way and laughed good naturedly.
"Say—Mister!"
"Well, sir?"
"Say—now—ain't yo' name Jeff'son Davis?"
The President nodded in a friendly way.
"It is."
"I knowed it," the trooper laughed. "By Gum, I knowed it, the minute I laid my eyes on ye—"
He moved closer with insinuating25 joy.
"I bet ye could never guess how I knowed it—could ye?"
"Hardly—"
"Ye want me ter tell ye?" The trooper laughed again. "I knowed ye the very minute I seed ye—'cause ye look thez ezactly like a Confederate postage stamp! I know 'em 'cause I've licked 'em!"
The President laughed and passed on his way without looking back.
They found a crowd of cranks and inventors waiting to see him. He had the same weakness as Abraham Lincoln for this class of men. He never allowed a clerk to turn one way without his personal attention. His interest in all scientific problems was keen, and he had always maintained the open mind of youth to all inventions.
Socola and Jennie strolled through the city for an hour until the crank levee was over. The President's secretary, Burton Harrison, promised them an interview at the end of that time. He ushered26 them into the room under the impression that all the callers had gone. He had overlooked a modest, timid youth who had quietly approached the Chief Executive's desk.
They paused until he was at leisure. The moment was one of illumination for Socola. He saw a trait of character in the Southern leader whose existence he had not suspected.
"My name is Ashe—Mr. President, S. A. Ashe," the youth began.
Davis bowed gravely.
"Have a seat, sir."
The boy sat down and twiddled his cap nervously27.
"I've come to ask an appointment of some kind in the regular army of the Confederacy. I'm an officer of the North Carolina militia28. I wish to enter the regular army."
The Confederate chieftain looked at the peculiarly youthful, beardless face. He couldn't be more than eighteen from appearances.
"I'm afraid you're too young, sir," he said slowly, shaking his head.
The boy drew himself up with a touch of wounded pride.
"Why, Mr. Davis, I voted for you for President last November."
Instantly the Chief Executive rose, blushing his apology. He laid his hand on the boy's shoulder and spoke29 with the utmost deference30.
"I beg your pardon, sir. I should have been more observant and thoughtful. I was very much like you when I was a boy. It was a long time before I had any whiskers myself."
With a friendly smile he touched his thin beard.
He sent the young man away happy with his promise of consideration. That he should have asked this beardless boy's pardon in so pointed31 a manner Socola thought remarkable32. That the Chief Executive of nine million people should blush suddenly over such a trifle was the flash that revealed a great soul.
The President advanced and gave Jennie both his hands in cordial greeting.
"I've brought you a recruit, sir," the girl cried with a merry laugh.
"Indeed?"
"I have resigned my commission with the Sardinian Ministry33, Mr. President, and wish to offer my services to the South."
"We need every true friend the world can send us, Signor—I thank you—"
"I wish, sir," Socola hastened to say, "to render the most efficient service possible. I have no training as a soldier. I have experience as a diplomat2. I speak three languages and I am an expert stenographer—"
"I'm sorry, Signor," the President interrupted, "that I have no vacancy34 in my office—or I should be pleased to have you here."
"Perhaps your State Department may find me useful?"
"No doubt they can. I'll give you a letter to the Secretary recommending your appointment."
He seated himself at once, wrote the letter and handed it to Socola.
Jennie thanked him and, with a warm pressure of his hand, passed into the hall with Socola.
At the outer door Burton Harrison overtook them:
"Just a moment, Miss Barton. The President wishes to ask you a question."
Davis drew her to the window.
"I should have been more careful of the credentials35 of our friend perhaps, Miss Jennie. You can vouch36 for his loyalty?"
"Absolutely."
She had scarcely uttered the word in tones of positive conviction before she realized the startling fact that she had spoken under the impulse of some strange intuition and not from her knowledge of the man's character and history.
In spite of her effort at self-control she blushed furiously. Mr. Davis apparently37 did not observe it.
"I have been much impressed with his poise38 and culture and intelligence. You met him in Washington, of course?"
"Yes—"
"You know positively39 that he was the Secretary of the Sardinian Minister?"
"Positively, Mr. President—"
"Thank you, my dear. I'll take your word for it."
Jennie walked home on air. She had made history. How tragic40 its sequel was destined41 to be, a kind Providence42 concealed43.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
berth
|
|
| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
diplomat
|
|
| n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
slated
|
|
| 用石板瓦盖( slate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
accomplishment
|
|
| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
loyalty
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
malignant
|
|
| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
vindictive
|
|
| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
precipitated
|
|
| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
junta
|
|
| n.团体；政务审议会 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
stoutly
|
|
| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
impulsive
|
|
| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
analyze
|
|
| vt.分析，解析 (=analyse) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
proprietary
|
|
| n.所有权，所有的；独占的；业主 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
contemplating
|
|
| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
boughs
|
|
| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
regiment
|
|
| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
toiled
|
|
| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
navigating
|
|
| v.给（船舶、飞机等）引航，导航( navigate的现在分词 )；（从海上、空中等）横越；横渡；飞跃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
toiling
|
|
| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
jaw
|
|
| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
kindled
|
|
| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
insinuating
|
|
| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
ushered
|
|
| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
nervously
|
|
| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
militia
|
|
| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
deference
|
|
| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
ministry
|
|
| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
vacancy
|
|
| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
credentials
|
|
| n.证明，资格，证明书，证件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
vouch
|
|
| v.担保；断定；n.被担保者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
poise
|
|
| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
positively
|
|
| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
tragic
|
|
| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
destined
|
|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
providence
|
|
| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |