The true northerner., 1897-10-20
A HETEROPHEMIST.
.kOW HE INJURED THE FINANCIAL IN
TERESTS OF THE coNFEpERACv.
MT. Blank Was Sent to England to Solicit
Aid and Failed-The Message He Sent
to Mr.. Memminger Was the Opposite OF
What He Supposed.

The Southern Confederacy was only a
few months old when a financial agent
was sent to England ON a very impor-
tant mission. Mr.. Blank was a politi-
clan and banker He was also an ele-
giant gentleman, with many influential
acquaintances on both sides of the wa
ter.
Before leaving Richmond he had
long talk with Memminger, the secre-
tary of the treasury.
IF find that England will aid u.s."
he said, Il will send you word by some
reliable blockade runner. 1t will be
very brief message, but you will under
stand it, while it will mean nothing to
the enemy if it should be intercepted.
The confidential agent slipped through
the lines, and in less than u month was
comfortably established in London. In
the metropolis he found many southern
ers and many prominent Englishmen
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.
1.-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 will never consent. The
south will 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 skillfully secreted it in an or
dinary coat button. The next day he
was visited by a southern friend, who
remained with him for an hour or more.
During his stay he removed 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 get safely to Wilmington,
/ will 90 at once to Richmond and give
this button to Mr.. Memminger. Iprefer
not to know the nature of the message,
as you say that it explains itself. "
Yes" replied Blank, lit will be
understood by the secretary, and as it
refers to a state secret cannot say any
thing about it,.
The two shook hands, and the gentle
man with the precious button took the
next train for Liverpool, where he
boarded steamer bound for Whining
ton.
The steamer was chased by Federal
cruisers, but 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 button. The secretary cut off its
covering in a hurry and smiled when
he read the word successful" p"
did Mr.. Blank show this message to
you?" he asked.
mo. We both thought it best that 1
should remain i'll ignorance so that no
telltale expression of my face would be-
tray anything if the enemy captured
me. "
At meeting of the cabinet that aft
ernoon Mr.. Memminger was III high
spirits He predicted that the war would
be over in 80 days and said that England
was preparing to recognize the Confed-
eracy and send over her warships to
break the blockade.
II have this" he said, 'from my con-
fidential agent, Mr.. Blank.
The name commanded respect, and
when the secretary said that under the
circumstances loan of $15, 600, 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 $15, 900, 600 in Confed.
crate bonds Mr.. Blank read this at his
London hotel and dropped his paper in
his agitation.
well, I'll be d-dV he remarked.
Must be mistake. I'll run over and
see about Ii. "
The next day he was at Erlanger's
Office in Paris. The French banker in
formed his visitor that there was no
mistake, and then Blank swore vigor-
ously. The bids rushed in from all quar-
tiers. If the demands Of these specula-
tors had been met, $500, 600, 900 in Con-
federate bonds could have been sold.
When this fact became known, Mr..
Blank again relapsed into profanity
He could not stand it, and, despite
the danger of the trip, he made his ar
rangements to return home. His inter
view with Memminger was stormy
one when he arrived at Richmond
II intended to write 'unsuccessfulP
he said after long talk.
well, there is your message" re.
piled the secretary You wrote sue
cessful. ,"
''I don't understand it," said Mr..
Blank sadly Surely your advices from
Mr.. Yancey should have warned you
that there was something wrong"
His dispatches were intercepted,
answered the other.
II don't understand it," repeated
Mr.. Blank.
Perhaps 1 do" quietly remarked
the secretary. II have carefully noted
your talk this morning, and have dis
covered that you are a heterophemist.
For instance, you say London when you
mean Richmond and Richmond when
you mean London. You similarly mis-
use the names of other places and per-
sons and are unconscious of it. When
you sent me that message, the word 'un-