The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-02-12

What lie Supposed.
Tho Southern COnfederacy was only a
few months old when financial agent
was sent to England on very impor-
tant mission. Mr.. Blank was politi-
clan and banker He was also an ele-
giant gentleman, with many influential
acquaintance on both sides of the wa
ter.
Before leaving Richmond he had a
long talk with Memminger, the Secre-
tary Of the treasury.
IF l find that England will aid us, "
he said, 81 will send you word by some
reliable blockade runner. 1t will be a
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 i'll less than month was
comfortably established in London. In
the metropolis he found many southern
ers and many prominent Englishmen
who sympathized with the secessionists.
lie saw Mr.. Yancey, the Confederate
minister, every day, and the two work
ed together in harmony. Mr. Yancey
was a practical man and was not long
in coming to the conclusion that no aid
was to be expected from the British gov
eminent.
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 a thin slip of pa
per and skillfully secreted it in an or
binary coat button. The next day he
was visited by 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.
II understand it all, D." he said when
he left. "If get safely to Wilmington,
will go at once to Richmond and give
this button to Mr.. Memminger Iprefe1
not to know the nature of the message,
as you say that it explains itself "
Yes" replied Blank, sit will be
understood by the secretary, and as il
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 a steamer bound for Whining
ton.
The steamer was chased by Fedora,
cruisers, but she managed to reach hel
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 hin
with button. The secretary cut off it!
covering in hurry and smiled wher
he read the word successful"
did Mr. Blank show this message t.
your" he asked.
mo. We both thought it best that
should remain in ignorance so that NJ
telltale expression of my face would be
tray anything if the enemy captured
me. :"
At a meeting of the cabinet that aft
ernoon Mr. Memminger was in higl
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 Il
break the blockade.
II have this" he said "from my con
fidential agent, Mr.. Blank "
The name commanded respect, ant
when the secretary said that under tn
circumstances a loan of $15, 900, 900 ne
gotiated in Europe would be suflicien
everybody agreed with him. The week
rolled on, and Erlanger in Paris adver
tised for bids for $15, 900, 900 in Confed
crate bonds. Mr.. Blank read this at hi
London hotel and dropped his paper il
his agitation.
well, I'll be d-dr' he remarked
Must be a mistake. I'll run over ant
see about it. "
The next day he was at Erlanger'
Office in Paris. The French banker in
formed his visitor that there was Il
mistake, and then Blank swore vigor
ously. The bids rushed in from all quar-
terS If the demands of these specula
tors had been met, $500, 900, 900 in Con
federate bonds could have been sold
When this fact became known, MI
Blank again relapsed into profanity.
He could not stand it, and, despit
the danger of the trip he made his al
engagements to return home. His inter
view with Memminger was storm
one when he arrived at Richmond
II intended to write unsuccessful
he said after long talk.
well, there is your message, re
piled the secretary. "You wrote sue
cessful. >"
II don't understand it," said Nj
Blank sadly. "Surely your advices fror
Mr.. Yancey should have warned 20
that there was something wrong"
"His dispatches were intercepted,
answered the other.
81 don't understand it" repeate
Mr.. Blank
Perhaps 1 do" quietly remarke
the secretary. II have carefully note
your talk this morning, and l have dis
covered that you are a heterophemist
For instance, you say London when 70
mean Richmond and Richmond whe