The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-12-10


and noticed that Pinckney cast disturbed
, glance at the newcomer.
The stranger assembled the few steps to
the balcony and took Mrs. Brant's hand
with profound courtesy.
Introduce me to my coleagues-distinct-
/ ly and separately. 1t behooves man at
! such moment to know to whom he in
trusts his life and honor and the life and
honor of his cause"
1t was evidently no mere formal courtesy
of the stranger. AS he stepped forward
4 along the balcony, and under Mrs. Brant's
graceful guidance was introduced to each
Of the members, he not only listened with
+ scrupulous care and attention to the name
/ and profession of each man. but bent upon
4 him clear, searching glance that seemed
/ t. photograph him in his memory, with two
/ exceptions.
lie passed Colonel Starbottle's expanding
( shirt irili with a bow of elaborate precision
and said Colonel Starbottles fame re-
4 Giires neither introduction nor eNplana-
ton lie stopped before Captain Pinckney
and paused.
An officer Of the United States army, I
believe. sir?'
Yes"
Educated at West Point I think by the
government, TO whom you have taken the
oath Of allesiance?'
YES"
'Fery good. sir" said the stranger. turn
ing away.
You have forgotten one other fact sir"
said Iinckney, with a slightly supercihous
air.
Indeed. what is it?"
Il am, first Of all, a native of the state of
South Carolina"
murmur of applause and approval ran
round the balcony. Captain Pinckncy
Smiled and exchanged glances with Mrs
Bfant, but the stranger quietly returned
e. "a scf.l
bottle.
i am not only an unexpected delegate
70 this august assembly, gentlemen" he
began gravcly, but / am the bearer of
perhaps equally unexpected news by my
position in the southern district / am in
possession Of dispatches received only this
morning by pony express. Fort Sumter
has been besieged. The United States hag.
carrying relief 70 the beleaguered garrison.
has been fired upon by the State Of South
Carolinar'
\ burst Of almost hysteric applause and
enthusiasm broke from the assembly anI
made the dim vault-iike passages and corri-
doris Of the casa ring. Cheer after cheer
mt up 70 the yelled gallery and the misty
sEy beyond, men mounted on the tables
and waved their hands franticaly, ana
i'm the midst Of this bewilderng turbulence
o. sound and motion CIarelc saw his wife
y 'ntea ON a chair. with \ N,gjn& cheeks
y.
only the Stranger, still ,-ulsling beside
Colonel S,arbottle, remainC 1mmoved and
impassive. Then with an sSerative GEES
ture he demanded sudden Jence.
Convincing and unanimous as this
demonstration is, gentlemen" he began
quietly. '.t IS my duty. nevertheless. TO
ask YOU II you nave seriously considered
IN. meaning OF the news l have brought.
1t is my duty to tell you that it means
civil war. Ii means the clash of arms be-
tween two sections of Il mighty country;
il means the disruption Of friends, the
breaking of family ties, the separation of
fathers and sons, Of brothers and sisters
even perhaps to the disagreement OF nus
band ana wife,
III means the sovereignty Of the south
and the breaking Of covenant with low
born traders and aboltionIsts,' said Cap
tain Pinckney.
IF there are any gentlemen present
continued the stranger, without needing
the interruption. "Who have pledged this
state to the support of the south in this
emergency or to the establishment of
Pacific republic in aid and sympathy with
it. whose names are on this paper, he
lifted sheet of paper lying before Colonel
Star1ottIe-"but who now feel that the
gravity of the news demands a more Serl-
Gus consideration OF the purpose, theE are
al liberty 20 withdraw from the meeting
giving their honor as southern gentlemen
to keep the secret intact
"<ot if / know it, interrupted stall
-. -,,.,,,.l.f.,,, ,. t,. ross. T., mis- feet ANA
..r,,.l.. l,.,., t., stems H. tre ratia. For"
-, l,i. t,,i- a,atnst Tho
me- '''''a' t'@''- ~. .l ~
gateway +" 9l'"'' ~" ~
backs out now.
\ roar 81 lauehie" and approve" I'Ho"e''
nut was sue ei ''-,'i'' ~ NY
III on Lac o'nel MAUI ~ w. "a ~.
~ you all feel that TINS news is lhe
fitting elimination and conservation OF the
hopes, wishes, and plans of this meeting,
you viii assert 1t again. on your own
SIGNATURES, 10 Colonel Starbotle at this
table"
oV-bcn the Kentuckian had risen Clar-
ence had started from his cOncealment.
yJ-l,,,, ~ n,,v saw the eager figures press
- r,-,,...l IN tho table ne hesitated no
4oi.50. ,,,. az, ,,,.sa.o no reached
'HPp'i@ "0i'7 ~ -, H., corridor i'm
'le S''it -, 1Cs....,,Iino. ms
the It"i 81 'i' ~ ,,,,,,,, ~, l..Clss
rapiuy ne mo- oHiS 80 - ta1,, I'm,
Of the e1oll'' N'o",' t4''''.' - ~. :. "a,
even o!D1"vu o 49, ,''0
Nttiio"' ''Niii.' - - er,,,, n ~. ct,sir st
lis wiz. "i' i''',t - ,i,.,.,l,, nov