Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-04
(January CornhilL)

ton Of an colors, knew it. Also. the ex-
r,utive and heads OF departments gem
uaily were just s'ckening FOR another at
tack OF suspicion, the advent of the dis
iase being hcralded by press prohibitions
and unnecessary arrests. Altogether
things pointed pretty clearly to the Pc
r.oiioal outbreak. which necessitated a
-apd change OF the personnel OF the
government, conducted on the usual
strictly homioidal principles. BY the time
.ac fun languor OF the hot weather was
uron US. general amnesty would be
proclaimed. and the new President. who
had climbed into power during the storm
te cxtoled for his clomency.
had not been out very long. and the
ways Of the republic stir amused me-
ly friend. the British Consul who for the
last fifteen years had inhabited little
va.tcwashed house on the clin. pervaded
iy rats and gray lizards and within hail
ot the pcstnential odors from the beach
SO feet below. did not look upon things
$50 the same light I'm theory he agreed
that these periodical hloodlottings were
ttt.AA0 At1ttAAN W AAli A.iNAAh VI AAAS IT,
public. but he dlslikcd The extra work
and cXcrtion ontailed by a too frequent
indulgence I'm them. Moreover. he pre-
ferred these fever fits should come on
Ia the cooler part OF the year. We were
sitting IN the shady end Of his piazza,
and he was giving me his views on the
situation.
'Tho present party II last about fort
night he was saying unless they do
something out OF the way mad. which
may give 'em six weeks Of grace"
what sort Of thing asked. They
SAINT 90 much harm, anyway; the area
IS limited"
Don't you make any such mistake
returned Die. with much warmth The
ci world is mere mass OF Under "a
spark from here would set blazing. Some
time ago." he went on medtatively. "the
uu end Of a political party nearly did
lac trick IL 30 hadn't been that Seam
s.rson was on the premises they'd have
e.0rchel the British empire for certain"
This being pretty large order for
South American republic TO contract for
D concluded he hal "a tale TO tell, and
. felt if Was my duty TO make him tell
"Who IS Scanderson?" / asked. "The
name doesn't seem 20 tit i'm with blue
roplc seas and hot-b ocded Presidents"
Its hard 10 be sure where he hailed
from-inside the British Isles" Allans-
ford returned thOughtiully Irish-Sc0tch
for choice Curious blend. lrsh-Scotch.' |
!. was too hot to talk. although the /
night would be on us In half an hour, !
s1 settled myself in my chair.
"The story" ] said
The sun was broodlng low over the |
paclfc-an angry eyeball under a purple |
Inland lending q tinge Of red 10 the !
yellow hills bounding the shore. Below !
us "a bl0ated pelican poised itself upon one /
OF the black-backed boulders that always |
reminded me of school Of whales float !
mg dead in the bay.
After a prolonged pause, AllansfOrd re- |
commenced.
ut was rather late in the year when 1t |
au began. There was a President in |
power az the time who was the worst |
President these mixed races have ever
been coaded into revolution by. They
only took him on because there were no
other candidates upon that occasion. The
last two had been blown up. you see. ana
that made the usual crowd a Bit shy. I
He'd been President about four months.
and any one could tell with half an eye
hf1 never see a fifth under ordinary cir
umstances. but he was backed up by an
interruptions parry who knew that his fall
meant early morning shooting practice
for the black and yellow troops with
themselves for targets. SO they put their
heads together TO invent something solid
90 put of the ev.i day and give them
time To- clear: for by this time the troops
who were garrisoning the ports had
mostly gone over 10 the opposition, and
would be sure 10 resent any movement
likely 10 deprive them Of their shooting
excursions"
Allansford pushed the cigars toward me !
and continued:
AS said. the President and his party
put their heads together and held con-
falulation. I afterwards heard what
passed a the meeting"
"Who told you" ! inquired, seeing my
c00 pauiCn smile.
"Wen. ft was the Presidents right
hand mantle Minister for Foreign At
fairs. Finance, War. Marine. and Public
a gentleman who fortunately
believed in hedging. Tie President got
Up and gave a crape-and-hre sketch Of
the position. remarkng they were all i'm
the same boat. and must sink or swim
together ana ended up with polite re-
Guest that any one who had a workable
plan 10 propose should lay It on the table
for general consideration.
Various members Of the government
talked different kinds Of nonsense. and
when they had quite finished. the Presi-
dent got on his legs again. What we
want said he, is, l gather breathing |
,pace-time in feet. TO get clear TO do
that We must give the people something I
to think of-take some step
hat VIII create a sensation, and we can't
10 better than declare war on somebody.
10 viii give US a fOrtnlghts grace, !
probably more. and before the war can
zone Off we shall be out Of # all. besides |
be added sweetly, making IL Jolly nasty
or the party who want 20 GUST US
THE extraordinary foresight Of the
residents scheme caused such emotion
10 this point that business had TO be
empoIarily suspended; but when things
lad settled down again they set about
hoosing the country which should be the
ubicct Of their bellicose attentions.
opinions differed here. One man pro-
osed the United States. but was crled
own because the President said he'd
card that they'd lately ordered a navy !
ad initiated a foreign policy. and VINO !
olld say what they might not Go IN the
rst warmth OF their feelings2 He was
To- fool that President-only downright
ad and corrupt.
'.The other Powers next came under con- /
Iteration. but were rejected one after
mother for certain cogent reasons till al! \
be available Powers were disposed OF Il
zcepting England. d
II propose said the President. that L
.e declare war against England
Dom Miguel had said so many clever 6
llnge that day that no one Ventured 10 | a
lsa cree with him. SO. after waiting
reasonable time for objections TO De h