Evening journal., 1897-02-04
A HETER0PHEMIST.
HOW HE INJURED THE FINANCIAL IN
TERESTS OF THE cONFEDERACY.

20 0ir. ssensminSer WAS tle Opposite Of
what lie Supposed.
The Southern Confedcracy was only a
few months old when q financial agent
was sent to England on a very impor-
tant mission. Mr. Blank was politi-
clan and a banker. He was also an clc-
giant gentleman with many influential
acquaintance on both sides of the wa
ter.
Before leaving Richmond be had a
long talk with Memminger, the secre-
tary of the treasury.
"If l find that England will aid us. -
he said, 81 viii send you word bv some
reliable blockade runner. It will be
very brief message but you viii under
stand it, while it win mean notLing to
the enemy if it should be intercepted
The confidential agent slipped through
the lines, and in less than a month was
comfortably established in London In
tho metropolis he found many southern
ers and many prominent En9lislmen
who sympathized with the secessionists
He saw Mr. Yancey, the Confederate
minister, every day, and the two work
ed together in harmony. Mr. Yancey
was practical man and was not long
in coming TO the conclusion that no AID
was to be expected from the British gov
ernment.
'The abolition sentiment controls
here, " he said to Mr.. Blank. "Some of
the statesmen would like to help the
south in order to break up the Union,
but the people win never consent. The
south viii have to fight alone.
Blank felt pretty blue when he heard
this, and that night he wrote the single
word Successful ON thin slip Of pa
per and sl1illfully secreted it in an or
dinary coat button. The next dag he
was visited by a southern friend who
remained with him for an hour or more.
During his stay heremoved the top but
ton from his coat and sewed on one
given by Mr.. Blank
i understand it all - he said when
he left. IF [ got safely 20 Wilmington,
viii go .at once TO Richmond and give
this button to Mr.. Memminger. Iprefer
not TO know the nature Of the message,
Us you say that it explains itself
"Yes, replied Blank, lit win be
understood By the secretary. and IS it
refers TO % state secret 1 cannot say any
thing about it. "
The two shook hands, and the gentle
man with tho precious button took tho
next train for Liverpool, where he
boarded steamer bound for Whining
ton.
The steamer was chased by Federal
cruisers bat she managed to reach her
destination without any serious mishap
In the course Of two or three days the
mysterious traveller called on Mr.. Mem
minger in Richmond and presented him
with a button. The secretary cut off its
covering in a hurry and smiled when
he read the word successful
Did Mr. Blank show thi hi8messego to
your" he asked.
No. We both thought il hcs, that
should remain in ignorance 80 that go
telltale expression Of my lace would be-
tray anything IL the cleny captursd
me.
At q meeting cf the cabinet that aft
ernoon Mr.. Memminger was in high
spirits. He predicted that the war would
be over in 90 days and said that England
was preparing to recognize the Confed-
eracy and send over her warships to
break the blockade.
Il have this, he said from my con
fidential agent, Mr.. Blank.
The name commanded respect, and
when the secretary said that under the
circumstances a loan of SO, 900, 600 ne
gotiated in Europe would be sufficient
everybody agreed with him. The weeks
rolled on, and Erlanger in Paris adver-
tised for bids for s15, 600 600 in Confed-
crate bonds. Mr. Blank read this at lis
London hotel and dropped his paper in
his agitation.
well, I'll be d--dr' he remarked.
"Nlust be a mistake III run over and
see about it.
The next day he was at Erlanger's
office in Paris. The French banker in
formed his visitor that there was nc
mistake and thon Blank sworo vigor-
ously. The bids rushed in from al quar-
ters. If the demands Of these specula-
tors had been met, $500, 600. 600 IN Con
fcderate bonds could have been sold
Blank again relapsed into profanity
He could not stand it,, and, despit,
the danger Of the trip he made his ar
rangements TO return home. His inter
view with Memmingcr was a stormy
one when he arrived at Richmond.
II intended towritc unsuccessful . 81
he said after a long talk.
"Well. there is your message, " re
piled the secretary. "You wrote sue
cessful s."
''I don't understand it., " said Mr.
Blank sadly. "Surely your advices fron
1Ir. Yancoy should have warned yol
that there was something wrong. p
His dispatches were intercepted, ,
answered the other
It don't understand it, repeate,
Mr. Blank
Perhaps ] do. quietly remarked
the secretary. II have carefully note'
s-ar,,. t-1l- tI-fe f-1o7l,i1,r- aud hnv-o dis