The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-10-09
but did not deem it advisable to bring


trust 1 was right"
The quiet dignity, and sef-posses-
sion, the quaint, old-fashioned colonial
precision of speech, modified by soft
Virginian intonaticn, and, above all,
some singular individuality in the man
himself, produced a profound sensa-
ton, and seemed to suddenly give this
gathering an impressiveness it had
lacked before.
For an instant Clarence forgot him.
self and his personal wrongs in the
shock of indignation he felt at this po-
tent addition to the ranks of his
enemies. He saw his wife's eyes sparkle
with pride over her acquisition, and no
ticed 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 colleagues dis
tinctly and separately. 1t behooves a
man at such Il moment to know TO whom
he intrusts his life and honor, and the
| life and honor of his cause"
1t was evidently no mere formal cour
| tesy of the stranger. AS he stepped
forward 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 profess
! sion of each man, but bent upon him n
clear, searching glance that seemed to
| photograph him in his memory, with
| two exceptions.
| He passed Col. Starbottle's expanding
shirt frill with bow of elaborate pre-
cision, and said: Col. Starbottle's
fame requires neither introduction nor
explanation" He stopped before Capt
Picl<ney and paused.
"An officer of the United States army
1 believe, sir?"
| Yes"
| Educated at West Point, 1 think, by
the government to whom you have
taken the oath of allegiance?''
| Yes"
every good, SIR" said the stranger,
turning away.
You have forgotten one other fact.
sir" said Pinckney, with slightly
supercilious air.
| Indeed, what is it?''
81 am. first of all, n native of the
state of South Carolina"
A murmur of applause and approval
ran round the balcony. Capt. Pinck-
ney smiled and exchanged glances with
Hrs. Brant, but the stranger quietly re-
turned to the central table beside Col.
| Starbottle.
81 am not only an unexpected dele
gate to this august assembly, gentle
men," he began, gravely, but l 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 en-
press. Fort. Sumter has been besieged.
to the beleaguered garrison, has been
fired upon by the state of South Caro-
lina!'
| a burst of almost hysteric applause
| and enthusiasm broke from the assem-
bly, and made the dim vault-like pas
sages and corridors of the casa ring.
Cheer after cheer went up to the yelled
| gallery and the misty sky beyond; men
mounted on the tables and waved their
hands frantically, and in the midst of
this bewildering turbulence of sound
| and motion, Clarence saw his wife
mounted on n chair,with burning cheeks
and flashing eyes, waving her handker-
| chief like an inspired priestess-
Only the stranger, still standing be
side Col. Starbottle, remained unmoved
and impressive. Then with an impera-
| tive gesture he demanded sudden ST
| lence.
Convincing and unanimous as this
| demonstration is, gentlemen" he began,
| quietly, sit is my duty, nevertheless, to
ask you if you have seriously consid-
cred the meaning of the news have
brought. 1t is my duty to tell you that
| it means civil war. 1t means the clash
| OF arms between two sections of
mighty country, it means the disrup-
ton of friends, the breaking of family
ties, the separation of fathers and sons,
| of brothers and sisters-even perhaps
to the disagreement of husband and
| wife,
ct means the sovereignty of the
| southland the breaking of a covenant
with low-born traders and abolition
| ists," said Capt. Pinckney.
IF there are any gentlemen. present.
! continued the stranger, without heed
ing the interruption, who have pledged
this state to the support of the south
in this emergency, or to the establish
ment of Pacific republic in aid and
sympathy with it, whose names are on
this paper" he lifted sheet of paper
| lying before Col. Starbottle, but who
now feel that the gravity of the news
demands a more serious consideration
of the purpose, they are at liberty to
withdraw from the meeting-giving
their honor as southern gentlemen to
keep the secret intact"
Not if 1 know it," interrupted a stall
| wart Kentuckian as he rose to his feet
and strobe down the steps to the patio.
For" he added, placing his back
against the gateway, III shoot the first
coward that backs out now
a roar of laughter and approval fol-
lowed. but was silenced again by the
quiet, unimpassioned voice of the stran
ger.
IF. on the other hand,'' he went on,
calmly, You all feel that this news is
the fitting elimination and consecra-
ton of the hopes, wishes and plans of
this meeting, you will assert it again,
on your own signatures, to Col. Star
bottle at this table"
T.ho,, tho l,I3 ,;eor CJ,,